Meal Plan Information

Fairhaven Commons – Ridgeway Commons – Viking Commons

Meal Plans

Download the Dining Video (.wmv)

A meal plan offers access to any of the three Resident Dining Commons, where the format is "all-you-care-to-eat." Dining Dollars and Munch Money are other forms of payment you can use at any University Dining Services location on campus, such as our Cafés & Markets. Wherever you choose to eat, University Dining Services offers nourishing food, time-saving convenience, flexibility, and a good value.

How do I pick the plan that's right for me?

When you choose to live in a Residence Hall, your meal plan will be included as part of the room and board. Meal plans vary, so you can choose the plan that best suits your particular needs. Each meal plan was designed with different lifestyles and eating habits in mind. For the current academic year, University Dining Services offers you the choice of four meal plans.

With each meal plan you get meals in the dining commons plus $150 Dining Dollars each quarter. The Dining Commons offer 23 different meal times each week.

How can I change my meal plan?

To change your meal plan you must go in person to the University Dining Services office in Edens Hall, Suite 109. Increases to a larger meal plan are available anytime. Decreases to your meal plan can only be made during the dates listed below, or during intersession for the upcoming quarter.

The dates to decrease your meal plan for the remainder of the 2009 – 2010 academic year are:

  • Fall Quarter: September 20, 2009 – October 2, 2009
  • Winter Quarter: January 3, 2010 – January 15, 2010
  • Spring Quarter: March 29, 2010 – April 9, 2010

Can students who live off campus buy a meal plan?

Absolutely! Refer to the Off-Campus Meal Plans page for full details.

Here is a breakdown of the four different Meal Plans:

Unlimited Meal Plan

  • Unlimited meals* in Dining Commons
  • $150 Dining Dollars per quarter
  • 10 Guest Meals per quarter
  • Ultimate flexibility; eat whenever you want

125

  • 125 meals* per quarter
  • $150 Dining Dollars per quarter
  • Averages 12 meals a week
  • Any meal can be used for a Guest
  • Designed for students who are on campus most weekends

100 Meal Plan

  • 100 meals* per quarter
  • $150 Dining Dollars per quarter
  • Averages 10+ meals a week
  • Any meal can be used for a Guest
  • Designed for students who will be away from campus most weekends

75 Meal Plan

  • 75 meals* per quarter
  • $150 Dining Dollars per quarter
  • Averages 7 meals a week
  • Any meal can be used for a Guest
  • Good for commuters or apartment residents
  • * Meals eaten in any of three resident dining commons with an "unlimited seconds" format.
  • ** Dining Dollars can be used to make purchases at any of ten cafés and markets, and to buy additional meals at any of the three dining commons.

Cost information is available on the Rate Sheets.

Dining Dollars

In addition to meals, Dining Dollars (formerly known as Flex Points) are included with each of the meal plans to give students more flexibility, when they want. Dining Dollars work like cash at all Cafés and Markets and can also be used to purchase additional meals in the three Resident Dining Commons. Once all $150 have been spent for the quarter, additional Dining Dollars cannot be purchasedi; that's when it's time to get Munch Money.

Each time a student pays with Dining Dollars, their balance will decline. One Dining Dollar is equal to one US dollar. Dining Dollars roll over quarter-to-quarter until they expire at the end of Spring Quarter and are non-refundable.

Munch Money

Like Dining Dollars, Munch Money enables students to pay for any purchase with a simple swipe of the Western Card. Those who pay with Munch Money receive a 10% discount on all purchases and do not pay sales tax on food purchases. Munch Money is separate from the meal plans and a meal plan is not required to have Munch Money. Munch Money does not expire as long as you are at Western.

What's the difference between Munch Money and Dining Dollars?

Dining Dollars are only available as part of the meal plans. Munch Money may be purchased separately from a meal plan by any student, faculty, or staff at WWU. Munch Money carries over from one academic quarter to the next as long as you are at Western, while Dining Dollars expire each year at the end of Spring quarter. Dining Dollars are non-refundable, but Munch Money is, upon written request when leaving Western.