Meal Plan
...and how to use your Western 1 Card

You'll love the convenience, flexibility and number of menu choices available in a residence meal plan at Western.

Besides the wide selection offered in our residence dining halls, our plan recognizes that you sometimes like to order in home delivery or eat off campus with your friends. You are able to use your meal card to purchase dinner at a number of local establishments.

Take a look around. We're confident that you'll be pleasantly surprised with the flexible meal plan options at Western.

The meal plan program utilizes a declining balance system. This means that when you select your food choices, money which you have placed on your meal plan is deducted through your Western 1 card. You are in control of your own "food credit" budget and have complete flexibility in menu selection and eating times.

Each plan includes a non-refundable overhead cost to cover the fixed costs involved in operating our residence dining facilities. The food credit is assigned to your own account for your individual food purchases. If you still have food credit remaining on your plan at the end of April, we'll gladly transfer your funds to a Campus Plan or give you a refund. (A $25.00 administrative fee is charged to process the refund.)

Residence food prices reflect that residence meal plan overhead costs have been removed. This means that residents only pay "cost" prices for the food they purchase.

Click here to read more about the Western 1 card
 

CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES!

We are proud of the variety, quality and nutritional content of the food we offer in our dining halls.
Our Unit Managers, who are professional chefs, along with an in house nutritionist, develop the menus. They supervise the production of dishes which meet the nutritional requirements of the majority of the residents. Menu choices range from salad and deli bars, to fast food, to home cooked hot meals, to delicious vegetarian dishes. An assortment of pastas, sandwiches, pizzas, fresh fruits, baked goods and beverages is always available. All food items prepared in our kitchens are free of additives and preservatives. Ingredient listings and nutritional analysis are available for most entres. Special events and promotions often include Food Shows, Festive Feasts, a Lifestyle and Nutrition Fair and an Environmental Awareness Dinner.

• salad bar along with your meals
• bottled beverages or snacks to carry back to your room
  
• meals from the franchised outlets on the main campus *
  
• order in home delivery meals of pizza, Chinese food, chicken, etc.*
  
• eating out at local establishments *
  
• subs or pizza from the residence snack bars to satisfy your late night cravings.
  
  *at regular retail prices

2. What if I run out of food credit before the end of April?

You can add more food credit at any time. You are not required to pay further overhead costs when you add more residence food credit onto your meal plan.

Will the smallest plan (Meal Plan 3) buy all my meals for the academic year?

That very much depends on your eating habits. If you purchase the majority of your meals in residence and occasionally go home on weekends, the food credit should last for the academic year. Students with heartier appetites, those who often buy late night snacks, or those who frequently purchase meals from the on-campus outlets should definitely purchase Meal Plan 1 or 2. Depending upon your spending habits, you may still need to top up your food credit. You are not required to pay a further overhead cost when you add more residence food credit onto your meal plan.

What are the dining hall hours of operation?

Most residences feature snack bars which are open in the evenings. Please refer to the "Dining and More" booklet that you will receive when you arrive for further information.

At what locations can I buy food on my meal plan?

Your meal plan can be used in any of our residences, at any Food Services outlet on the main campus, at selected local restaurants (alcoholic beverages are excluded), and to order in. More information is available at your residence front desk. Keep in mind that your meal plan is not operational at the Huron University College Food Court.

What happens if I get back to residence after the dining hall has closed?

If your class, game or practice schedules do not enable you sufficient time to eat, we encourage you to meet with your Food Services unit manager to discuss alternate arrangements. You could also opt to use the snack-bar, order-in home delivery (pizza, Chinese food, chicken, and more) or purchase menu items from the brand name franchises conveniently located on the main campus. When using your meal plans for these options, you are required to pay the regular retail prices (which include an overhead cost and are subject to applicable taxes).

Is there any advantage to buying my meals within the residences?

Yes. If you buy most of your meals in residence, you will receive much better value in extending your food credit. Ordering in, dining on campus or at the local restaurants is more expensive, and your food credit will be depleted more quickly. As residence food prices are net of overhead, your food credit will last much longer if you purchase your meals within the residence dining halls.

What if I have a concern about a particular food item?

Our nutritionist and/or unit managers will be happy to meet with you to discuss your dietary concerns and, if possible, suggest more suitable selections. Ingredient listings and nutritional analysis of particular items can be discussed with you.

How will I know my balance?

We suggest that you keep track of your balance daily. This should be done each time you make a purchase. The cashier will display your current transaction and can indicate your new balance. If you detect any discrepancy, you are required to bring it to the attention of the cashier promptly. A printout of your year-to-date usage may be requested from the Residence Admissions Office, Room 102, Elgin Hall.

What happens if I have food credit left over?

For unused food credit at the end of the academic year (April 30), you can transfer your balance to the campus plan for the following year or you can request a refund. There is a refund processing fee of $25. The meal plan overhead cost is non-refundable. Throughout April a transfer/refund form is available online.

What happens if I invite a guest?

You are welcome to invite guests into the dining hall. Unfortunately, due to tax restrictions, your guests are required to pay cash for their food at regular retail rates (plus any applicable taxes).

Are there any rules for conduct in the dining hall?

The dining hall should be a comfortable place for everyone. To meet health and safety regulations, you are expected to wear proper attire (i.e., shirts, shoes, etc.) in the dining hall. The throwing of any food item or object within the dining hall will result in a minimum $50 fine (payable to the Division of Housing and Ancillary Services) and the likelihood of disciplinary sanctions.

May I take food back to my room?

If you are interested in taking food from the dining hall back to your room, you should consider using Rubbermaid-like dishes and utensils. The removal of dining hall dishes and cutlery is not permitted as this significantly increases costs. As well, longer food lines would result since a smaller inventory of dishes would be available on which to serve food. As many foods are perishable, please note that the University does not assume responsibility once the food leaves the dining hall. It is your responsibility to properly store any food you carry out.

What about taxes?

Due to tax restrictions, guests, residents paying cash or residents purchasing bulk items are required to pay the regular retail rates plus applicable taxes.

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