<p>Is there a was I could get permission to not have a meal plan my second semester at UVA? I just entered UVA and I got the plus 13, and every week I end up having 11 or 12 swipes left which is a total waste because I just use plus dollars/cav ad to eat. I also don't have much time to go into the dining halls and I feel like I could use the $2045 on food that I could prepare in my dorm for cheaper and it would be more convenient for me.</p>
<p>No. You have to have one. You should go get the sandwiches and salads at soup/salad/sandwich time. Lots of to-go boxes. I had to have a meal plan when I lived in Brown so that was how I attempted to use up at least a decent number of meals. Also a while ago someone posted how you can use swipes for meals at the little retail places like Crossroads.</p>
<p>At [url=<a href=“http://www.campusdish.com%5DCampusDish%5B/url”>http://www.campusdish.com]CampusDish[/url</a>], they probably have details about alternative places where you can use your meal swipes. I was told some swipes can be used at certain commercial restaurants after certain hours of the day.</p>
<p>Also, I believe you can adjust your meal plan second semester, which may allow you more flex dollars and fewer swipes.</p>
<p>All great information. Specifically, as a second semester first year student you can drop down as low as 10 meals/week with $430 Dining Dollars @ $2,045. It will give you more flexibility then you currently have (the Plus 13 only gave you $250 Dining Dollars). You can then use the 10 swipes as others suggested, as to-go meals or meal exchange.</p>
<p>Do they really enforce having a meal plan second semester? I didn’t try it, but I can’t imagine that they would really go after you if you decided not to conform to the monopoly.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>[Welcome</a> to CampusDish at University of Virginia!](<a href=“http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSMA/Virginia/DiningPlans/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.htm]Welcome”>http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSMA/Virginia/DiningPlans/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.htm)</p>
<p>If you don’t make a change for the second semester you will default to your current plan. The charge of $2,045 is the same for all first year meal plan options and is automatic.</p>
<p>I didn’t know S could drop down to 10 meal plan wk. 2nd semester! Good to know. Hazel, is Crossroads where the Chipotle and Harris Teeter are located? I think I need to start compiling a list bc I keep forgetting where he can swap a meal, or use plus dollars. It’s really confusing!</p>
<p>No that is Barracks Rd and you cannot use your meal plan there.
Crossroads is right near the alderman road dorms. There is a Sbarro there I think??</p>
<p>Runk dining hall also has late night hours. (Not crazy late but I think it is about 10pm) and my S thought they had decent food there last year. It is a bit far, out by Gooch/Dillard but it is somewhere you can swipe in to get a meal later in the evening if regular dinner hours don’t work.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks! S is in Dillard so he’s been eating mostly at Runk and he says the food is very good. He’s used to my “trader joes cooking”, so I’m guessing it’s a welcome change :).</p>
<p>I strongly suggest you start taking advantage of the meal plan. I’m not talking about the dinning halls, where the best food is a waffle covered in chocolate chips, syrup, and powdered sugar. But all the other various options. I’ve been getting 2 smoothies a day. I have the unlimited plan and am easily hitting 30 meals a week… Don’t just go to the dining hall, hit up all the other glorious options.</p>
<p>^ You crack me up!! While I don’t endorse thirty meals a week for everyone (still laughing), you can actually use a meal swipe as part of the meal exchange at the poolside cafe, the Pav, and West Range to get a smoothie and an energy bar (fruit @ WRange). If you are losing ‘swipes’ each week it is a way to use them…if you like smoothies.</p>
<p>Campus Dish lists the following for meal exchange options. I believe there are more options but this is what is listed:
[Welcome</a> to CampusDish at University of Virginia!](<a href=“http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSMA/Virginia/DiningPlans/MealExchangeProgram.htm]Welcome”>http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSMA/Virginia/DiningPlans/MealExchangeProgram.htm)</p>
<p>I used to a waffle covered in cinnamon sugar, cut up apples, and syrup. I would put the syrup and apples and cinnamon sugar in a pudding bowl in the microwave.</p>
<p>The dining hall is always ripe for creations.</p>
<p>Cinnamon sugar, where do you find that! I’ve been trying to add variety to the waffle and thus far this is my favorite combo: Waffle, with chocolate put on it immediately after it comes out of the cooker (to melt the chocolate of course), then doused in the melted butter and syrup and topped with powder sugar and banana slices.</p>
<p>at newcomb it was with the spices. they keep relocating them. they used to have them split between the old fry station (where they always have burgers and things) and the fake ice milk (the 2 flavor dispensor near said burgers). they never have any spices on the pizza/nachos side. you could also always buy some cinnamon sugar. it is small and would fit in whatever bag you carry around. thank goodness for newcomb waffles… :)</p>
<p>Big fan of O-Hill breakfasts FWIW.</p>
<p>Just my two cents – when I was first year (before they made meal plans mandatory) I opted out of doing any meal plans and ate food I prepared in my room or random cR*p that I picked up from fast food places. Really, really bad idea. Of the few things I regret about my time at UVA, that is the biggest, mostly because I missed out on key social/bonding opportunities with my suitemates. And now that I’m thinking about it, I guess I also missed out on meeting new people who I would have met if I had been on the meal plan. Just get the smallest plan you can and enjoy the interaction (if not the food!)…</p>
<p>Thirty meals a week!</p>