Meal Plan - Frequently Asked Questions
What is a meal plan?
What are Dining Dollars?
What are the differences between the meal plan levels?
Where will I be able to use my meal plan/dining dollars?
What foods are offered at the on-campus dining venues?
What are the times that I can use my dining dollars?
How will I be able to control my spending on my dining plan?
Who is eligible to participate in a meal plan?
What are the minimum meal plan requirements?
I live in an on-campus apartment. Why must I be on a meal plan?
What is the difference between a meal plan/dining dollars and Pacific Cash?
Will I be able to use Pacific Cash at the dining venues?
Will I be able to use credit cards or ATM at the dining venues?
Since there will be beer and wine sold at The Lair (the pub), am I able to purchase these items with my meal plan?
What if I run out of Dining Dollars? Can I add more to my plan?
If I withdraw from the University and have a meal plan, will I be able to get a refund of my Dining Dollars?
If I have any remaining Dining Dollars at the end of the Fall semester, will I be able to "roll them over" to the Spring semester?
Can I give my Dining Dollars to a friend?
If I live in a University-owned Greek chapter house, will I be required/able to be on a University meal plan?
A meal plan is an account linked to your Pacific ID card that allows you to access your Dining Dollars. This account works like a prepaid debit account, whereas you are only able to spend what you have available.
Dining Dollars are the points given to students when they enroll in a meal plan. The amount of Dining Dollars you receive per semester depends on which meal plan level you choose. The amount of each purchase is deducted from the Dining Dollar balance, tax free. Dining Dollars are NOT United States currency, and therefore are not transferrable.
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What are the differences between the meal plan levels?
We offer four levels of meal plans to students living on-campus. They are Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The Bronze meal plan is only available to those students who live in University-owned apartment communities. Listed below are the Dining Dollar amounts for each meal plan level. Please note that these amount are for the dining dollars you will receive, and not the cost of the meal plan. For more information on the cost of the meal plans, please refer to our rates.
2011-2012 General Term:
|
Meal Plan Levels |
Dining Dollar Amounts |
|
Platinum |
2,052 semester / 4,104 year |
|
Gold |
1,919 semester /3,838 year |
|
Silver |
1,760 semester / 3,520 year |
|
Bronze |
639 semester / 1,278 year |
2011-2012 Pharmacy Term:
|
Meal Plan Levels |
Dining Dollar Amounts |
|
Platinum |
1,369 term / 4,104 year |
|
Gold |
1,280 term /3,838 year |
|
Silver |
1,173 term / 3,520 year |
|
Bronze |
426 term / 1,278 year |
*These point values are for the 2011-2012 academic year. The point values for 2012-2013 have not been determined yet.
Where will I be able to use my meal plan/dining dollars?
There are a variety of dining venues throughout the Pacific campus. In the De Rosa University Center, there are many options including the Marketplace, The Lair, and the Calaveras Coffee House. Other options include the Davies Cafe in the library, the Health Sciences Cafe on North campus, the EAT Truck located on South Campus, and The Grove grocery store, located in the McCaffrey Center. Dining Dollars may only be used at on-campus dining venues.
What food options are available at the on-campus dining venues?
The Marketplace features a variety of stations provided by Bon Apettit to choose from; a Taqueria station focusing on meals from many countries in South America, a Classics station featuring home-style items and comfort foods, a Pacific Rim station offering specialties from throughout the Asian region, a Exhibition station focusing on grill menu options, and more. At least one vegetarian entrée is featured at each meal. Bon Apettit is open to suggestions and requests, so feel free to contact them with any concerns.
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What are the times that I will be to use my dining plan?
The University designed the dining plan in collaboration with Bon Apettit with flexibility in mind. There are no limitations on when or where students can use their Dining Dollars and there are no regulations prohibiting the use of the Dining Dollars to purchase meals for other students or guests. Students will be able to "grab and go" with their purchases and are not limited to eating their meals in the location where it was purchased.
How will I be able to control my spending on my meal plan?
Students will have control of their meal plan account, and will be able to purchase their meals as they see fit. Of course, having control of the spending in the meal plan account comes with a level of responsibility in student spending behavior. After every point of purchase, the new Dining Dollar balance will be shown on the register. Students will be able to check their balance on-line at http://go.pacific.edu/pacificcard. In addition, Housing and Greek Life will post the Weekly Spending Grid throughout the dining venues to allow students to track their spending for the semester.
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Who is eligible to participate in a meal plan?
All students who live on campus are required to participate in a meal plan. We do not currently offer meal plans to students living off-campus.
What are the minimum meal plan requirements?
All students living in Residence Halls must participate in a minimum of the Silver meal plan. All students living in University-owned apartment communities are required to participate in a minimum of the Bronze meal plan.
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I live in an on-campus apartment. Why must I be on a meal plan?
The Bronze plan, which adds up to be less than $5.00 per day, is designed to be a convenience for the students in the apartment communities. In addition to being able to use the meal plan at all the various dining locations around campus, The Grove grocery store offers items geared toward apartment residents that may be purchased using your meal plan. This includes items such as detergent, household cleaning supplies, toiletries, as well as new "grab and go" food options such as fresh made salads, coffee, soups, sandwiches, and desserts.
What is the difference between a meal plan/dining dollars and Pacific Cash?
The benefit to participating in a meal plan is that you will not pay sales tax at the point of each individual purchase. Taxes and fees are included in the up-front cost of the meal plan, so the price you see is the amount deducted from your dining dollar balance. Additionally, with a meal plan you will pay before the semester starts through your Student Account and not have to worry about spending money out of pocket for food. With Pacific Cash, you do not have the ability to charge your Student Account, and you pay sales tax for each transaction. You must add Pacific Cash to your account online with a credit card or on-campus at the Pacific Card Office.
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Yes. Students may use Pacific Cash in the dining venues, and you must pay sales tax.
Will I be able to use credit and ATM cards at the dining venues?Yes. You may use your credit card or ATM card to purchase items in the dining venues but there is no discount.
Since there will be beer and wine sold at The Lair (the pub), am I able to purchase these items with my meal plan?
Beer and wine will be sold in The Lair to those who are 21 years of age or over. These students may purchase beer or wine with their dining dollars, unless there is a restriction on the individual meal plan.
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If I run out of Dining Dollars? Can I add more to my meal plan?
You may move up to any higher level of meal plan at any time. This request must be made in writing through the Housing and Greek Life office. Once the change is made, your dining dollars are available immediately and the new level of meal plan will remain in effect for the remainder of the school year unless another change is requested within the Housing guidelines.
If I withdraw from the University and have a meal plan, will I be able to get a refund of my Dining Dollars?
Since Dining Dollars are not United States currency, students will not receive a refund on their Dining Dollars. HOWEVER, students will receive a prorated refund on their housing and dining fee for the remainder of the semester based, in part, on plan usage. Keep in mind that your refund will not directy correlate with your remaining dining dollar balance. For more information, please read your Student Housing Contract.
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If I have any remaining Dining Dollars at the end of the Fall semester, will I be able to "roll them over" to the Spring semester?
General term students may roll over up to 300 dining dollars from the Fall to the Spring semester. Any dining dollars remaining at the end of the school year will be lost. Pharmacy students will be allowed to roll over 300 dining dollars from Fall to Winter AND from Winter to Spring. Any remaining dining dollars will be lost at the end of the school year.
Can I give my Dining Dollars to a friend?
While you may certainly purchase items with your Dining Dollars for a friend, you may not transfer your Dining Dollars to another person's meal plan.
If I live in a University-owned Greek chapter house, will I be required/able to participate in a University meal plan?
In University-owned Greek chapter houses, house meal plans are provided. By living in the house you are required to participate in one of the meal plan options provided by your house. You are not able to participate in both a University and a Greek house meal plan at the same time.
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