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Frequently Asked Questions |
Am I required to purchase a dining plan?
Students living in WVU operated residence halls are required to purchase a Resident Student Dining Plan as an integral part of WVU's nationally recognized resident life experience. Students living off campus are not required to purchase a plan but hundreds of students each year choose WVU dining plans. Convenience, service, cost and quality are some of the reasons cited. Call (304)293-2096 ext. 4 for more details.
May I change my dining plan once the semester has started?
You may upgrade your dining plan at any time during the semester. However, you must request a downgrade within the first two weeks (of the fall semester only) in order to obtain a pro-rated refund of the difference in plan costs. After the first two weeks you may still request a downgrade of your plan but the pro-rated difference in cost between the plans will be added to your Mountaineer Card in the form of Meals Plus. Note: All changes made to your dining plan during the fall semester will be effective for the Spring Semester as well (i.e. a Mountaineer Plan changed to a Select Ten plan during the fall will continue to show as a Select Ten plan in the spring).
Do unused meals from my dining plan carry over to the next semester?
No. Plan costs are based on food costs, wages and other expenses incurred during the current semester, therefore unused meals do not carry over to the following semester.
Why can't I let a guest use my meal card?
Dining plans represent a contract between the plan holder and WVU Dining Services. We base our costs on this purchase agreement. Allowing others to use your meal card could seriously jeopardize our ability to provide the quality of products and services we offer. Our plans do include "Meals Plus" bonus bucks to accommodate your use of the plan to invite family and/or guests to join you from time to time and to allow you the flexibility to purchase products from any of our locations.
Why can't you key in my Social Security number instead of swiping my card?
We are not permitted to key in a Social Security number because there is no way of verifying whether the person is using their own number or someone else's.
Why can't I use my Dining Plan at Bits & Bytes?
Currently dining plan options are limited to our five dining rooms, breakfast at Hatfield's, Brew 'n Gold Café or Burger King, lunch combo meals at Brew 'n Gold Café and dinner combo meals at McCoy's, Burger King or Brew 'n Gold Café. We are constantly working to expand available options as relevant procedural and budgetary details are worked out. Your Meals Plus "Bonus Bucks", included in most of our dining plans, are accepted at Bits & Bytes as well as all other WVU Dining Services locations.
What is Meals Plus and where can I use it?
Meals Plus is an internal debit program for Dining Services to place pro-rated refund dollars once the time for cash refunds has expired. It is also used for the Meals Plus "Bonus Bucks" we add to most of our plans in order to give you the flexibility to eat at any of our locations. We also place "Bonus Bucks" issued as prizes for our contests in this account. All funds in the Meals Plus program are accepted at any WVU Dining Services location for a complete list of locations click Here.
What happens if I have Meals Plus left over at the end of the semester?
Because Meals Plus is part of your dining plan and the "Bonus Bucks" are a value-added benefit, the balance does not transfer over to the next semester and funds are non-refundable. However, they are good for any purchase at any Dining Services location during the semester they are issued. Be sure to spend them during the semester.
Why can't I get a take out box from Café Evansdale?
While most of our dining rooms have a "grab 'n go" concept, each dining room has their own procedure. The Brew n' Gold Café, located on the Evansdale Campus, is the available option for students who choose to "grab 'n go" at Café Evansdale. The Brew n' Gold provides students with an upscale menu selection, and offers Starbucks coffee and a variety of Coca Cola products with every meal. The individual procedures have been developed in order to assure that all students are provided with the most efficient quality service available and to minimize confusion and waiting time.
Which Dining Rooms are open on the weekends?
Boreman Bistro, Summit Café and Café Evansdale are open Saturday and Sunday. For more information on dining locations and hours of operation, visit the Dining Location link at the left of this page.
Can I purchase a Dining Plan that has a set number of meals per semester instead of per week?
Yes. The Blue and Gold Resident Student Dining Plans offer unlimited flexibility per semester. The Blue Plan provides up to 229 dining room entries per semester and the Gold Plan provides 209 dining room entries per semester. Each plan also includes 100 Meals Plus "Bonus Bucks". Because it is possible to exhaust these plans prior to the end of the semester, we also provide "refills" for each plan. For details see the Dining Plan Options page.
Where can I find more low-fat options?
Every Dining Services location offers a wide variety of healthy options to choose from. Our nationally-recognized, award-winning Healthy "U" program was developed to educate students about making healthy food choices. There is a Wellness Center in every dining room where students can get information on health topics and a list of menu options that satisfy the Healthy "U" criteria set by the USDA and our staff dietician.
Why can't I use my Dining Plan at the Health Sciences Center?
The cafeteria at the HSC is owned and operated by another company.
Why isn't there a place to eat in the Law school?
Dining Services is always looking for new opportunities to make our products and services more convenient for our student customers. Bits and Bytes, located in the Engineering Building, is one example of a request Dining Services has fulfilled. The Law School has not requested that we expand our operations to that location.
Where do the products come from that Dining Services use in their meals?
Dining Services uses many well known brand name food items for every meal. Products from Ben & Jerry's, Campbell's, General Mills, Healthy Choice, Heinz, Hershey's, Hormel, Jimmy Dean, Kellogg's, Nestle, O'reida, Pillsbury, Post, Sara Lee, Stouffers, and Starbucks provide quality products and a variety of choices for a healthy, balanced diet every day.
Who develops Dining Services menus?
Dining Services managers, our Executive Chef and our staff dietician review all of our products and recipes to insure that we provide you with a wide variety of quality choices.
Who is allowed to eat at Summit Café?
All students holding a Dining Plan are permitted to eat at Summit Café and non-plan holders may pay at the door.
How can I check my Meals Plus "Bonus Bucks" balance?
Whenever you make a purchase, the remaining balance will appear at the bottom of your sales receipt.
In what order will dollars be deducted from my mountaineer card?
Students may have their dining plan and more than one category of debit dollars on their mountaineer card. Unless otherwise requested by you, dollars will be deducted in the following order: Dining Plan, Meals Plus, and Mountie Bounty.
What is the difference between Mountie Bounty and Meals Plus?
The money you deposit into your Mountie Bounty account can be used at all WVU Dining Service locations as well as other participating vendors on campus, such as the WVU Bookstore, J.A.C.S, Javas, etc. and Mountie Bounty dollars carry over to the spring semester if not used in the fall. Meals Plus can only be used at WVU Dining Services locations and funds do not carry over to the spring semester.
What day starts a new week of meals for each Dining Plan?
With the Mountaineer, Select 15, and Select 10 Resident Student Dining Plans, a new week begins each Thursday morning and ends the following Wednesday night. Meals do not carry over from week to week with these plans.
What options do I have instead of eating a meal in a Resident Dining Room with my Dining Plan?
All dining plans include the option of breakfast at Hatfield's (From 7:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. M - F); a breakfast combo meal at Burger King (From 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. M - F); combo dinner meals at McCoy's (From 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. M - F) or Burger King (From 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. M - F) or any combo meal at the Brew n' Gold Café.
Can I work for Dining Services?
YES! WVU Dining Services hires hundreds of students each year. Whether you're looking for extra cash, work experience, friendship, or fun, check out the opportunities we have to offer. We offer flexible hours to fit your busy schedule and good pay with the possibility of advancement. No experience is necessary. For more information, call (304) 293-2096, ext 4 or click Here.
How many weeks are in each semester and how many meals does that equal?
There are 16 weeks in each semester and approximately 300 meals are served.
