<p>How do things work with the meal plan and cafeteria?
Do you get a pre-paid meal card or pass, or do they scan your regular ID card?
Thanks</p>
<p>They use your regular ID card for meals and points, laundry, etc.</p>
<p>Even laundry? Thanks</p>
<p>Yeah, and try not to lose it. I mean, most people do at some point, but it SUCKS because you can't get into the dining halls without someone else mealing you in...and you really do need to bring it everywhere. For example, if you plan on staying in the library after closing (in the reading room), they make you file out and then come back in and show your ID before you can reenter the reading room.</p>
<p>Also, laundry in the dorms costs less if you convert your money to Points, rather than using change. I think it's something like 1.50 if you use quarters, and 1.25 if you put money on your card.</p>
<p>Yeah, there's also a pesky fine from the Tufts University Police Department if you lose your card and need to get a new one.</p>
<p>Hmm. S. is always misplacing things here.
Maybe he should get a wallet with an attached keyring and keep it with his room key (and hopefully not lose them BOTH).</p>
<p>In theory that's a great idea, but then anyone who found it would presumably be able to get into your room and steal things.</p>
<p>You're right. He's going to have to work that one out himself.</p>
<p>He is still undecided about the laptop lock. Do people ever use them in their dorm room, or just make sure they keep their doors locked?</p>
<p>My D tells me that she never needed to use a lock and that theft was not a problem. However, her dorm floor was pretty low key, quiet.</p>
<p>Thanks blucroo. He just spent a big chunk of his savings on a MacBook, so I hope he takes care of it. I wish they had loss insurance like they do for cell phones. It would probably cost a fortune, though--</p>
<p>The worst part about getting new cards from TUPD is their hours. By the time I got out of class, they were always closed (they close at 4:15), and the bottom of Dowling is a good distance out of the way for downhill people. </p>
<p>I never lost mine but had to get a new one twice because someone thought it was a good idea to have Tilton residents use their cards as keys (like in a hotel) causing the strip to wear down really quickly. </p>
<p>As for laptop locks, I don't think they're worth the trouble. If you're not around, lock your room, if you're around the hall, nobody's going to march in there in broad daylight and grab your computer. I never felt like my stuff was in danger, even with the door unlocked. Just don't do something stupid like leaving it lying around unaccompanied outside.</p>
<p>I'd still say keep keys and card separate- if someone does get them they'll know where you live and have the keys. Not like us Tiltoners had a chance.... Stupid policy. but they don't have it anywhere else.</p>