Dining

All students living on campus are required to purchase a meal plan.

• First-year resident students are automatically enrolled in the Prime Plan for both semesters of their first-year at BW to help establish personal dining patterns.
• Sophomore and junior resident students may choose from the Prime, Choice or Basic plans.
• Senior resident students may choose from the Prime, Choice, Basic or Senior plans.

Commuter students may choose the Commuter Plan, but they are not required to purchase a meal plan.

The Jacket Express Card is a student's all-you-care-to-eat meal card, Dining Dollars, Jacket Pay Dollars, student ID and access card. Each meal provides unlimited access to dining hall selections within each dining period.

Dining Periods (Union Dining Hall)

Breakfast

7-11 a.m., Monday - Friday
8-11 a.m., Saturday - Sunday

Lunch

11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Sunday

Dinner

4-8 p.m., Monday - Sunday

Late Night

8 - 10 p.m., Monday - Sunday

Students may also choose to use meals at on-campus retail locations for the meal equivalency value of $7.50. See more information on meal equivalency in the section below.

Each plan includes a designated amount of Dining Dollars to be used at à la carte campus locations, retail locations and off-campus dining partners.

Dining Dollars or Meals for Café Purchases

Your card gives you even more choices at The Hive, Stinger's, Smoothie Bar, campus Starbucks and The Colony Café. You may use either your meal swipes or Dining Dollars for a single purchase at these campus grab-and-go locations. Please indicate to the cashier your preference.

Meal Equivalencies

Meals carry an "equivalency" or à la carte value of $7.50. One meal swipe redemption covers a single transaction up to $7.50 value, two swipes will cover purchases valued from $7.51-$15.00 and so on. No cash change or Dining Dollars value is returned/added on meal "equivalency" transactions. Campus retail locations do not follow dining periods, so each purchase is a one-time meal or Dining Dollar transaction. Meal "equivalency" value may only be used for the purchase of menu items, beverages and snacks. Meal equivalency is not permitted on retail/gift items at our campus Starbucks.

Dining Dollars for Off-Campus Dining Purchases

You may also use your Dining Dollars at off-campus dining partners. Off-campus partners cannot accept meals. Current off-campus partners include Boss ChickNBeer in University Market and Domino's Pizza in Berea Commons. Off-campus dining partners accept Dining Dollars for payment Monday-Friday after 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday during regular restaurant hours.

Dining Dollars for Other Purchases On Campus

Dining Dollars may also be used for:

• BW bookstores
• printing kiosks
• event tickets
• parking fees
• vending machines
• off-campus dining partner locations

Rollover of Dining Dollars

Any unused Dining Dollars from the fall semester will be rolled over and added to your spring semester Dining Dollar balance. Unused Dining Dollars after the spring semester will not roll over or be refunded.

Can I check in, eat, then go to class, return and eat again all within a single dining period?

No, once you leave the dining hall, you would have to use another meal swipe to have access to another meal.

Can a friend and I share a meal redemption during a dining period?

No, your meals are for you only. Your meal redemption will be verified by a student identification scan.

What about meal carryout options?

Disposable and recyclable takeout containers are available at all dining locations on campus.

Can I use my meals for a guest?

Prime, Choice and Basic plans include 4 guest meals. You will need to tell the cashier to designate use of your guest meals. Unused guest meals do not carry over to the next semester.

Who is required to purchase a meal plan?

All students residing in BW housing must choose a meal plan.

Can I change plans?

Sophomore through senior students may change plans within the first two weeks of each semester and/or between semesters. Students can submit meal plan changes online or do so in person at campus access services in Strosacker Hall (Student Union). All resident first-year students are required to have the Prime Plan for the entire freshman year to establish personal dining patterns.

Can I add to my Jacket Pay account during the semester/school year?

Yes, you may add to your Jacket Pay account at any time. Students can access their online account at myjecard.bw.edu.

Is there a limit to the number of dining periods I can use in a single day?

There is no limit. For example, a student might choose to check in into all four dining periods in one day and only one the next day as their schedule allows.

Are there food options for vegetarians and vegans?

BW’s dining team has a variety of options available across campus for vegetarians and vegans. We continuously source plant-based products to the menu items that we offer. In addition to specific items on the menu, students can speak with our staff who can make you something special upon request. We also want to help you with any challenges with meeting specific nutrient needs. Our made-to-order stations offer a great custom option for students.

Is it difficult to find something to eat if I have food allergies?

If you have food allergies, we recommend that you meet with our registered dietetic technician, Marie Oravec (moravec@bw.edu) or one of our managers. Food allergies are common, but we value understanding each individual's nutritional needs. Our dining staff participate in ongoing allergy training in order to identify and handle food allergies. By meeting with us, we can provide you with a customized approach to help you navigate our dining halls without any stress.

How can students with unique nutritional challenges find assistance?

Dining services proudly puts our students needs first so we can be a part of BW’s contribution to every student's success. Students should find out where our special dietary cooler is located and find the location of the Allergen Friendly Zone (AFZ), a popular station that offers a menu that’s free of the top eight allergens. Our dining hall menu takes into consideration that there are many students who don’t eat meat, athletes who need optimal nutrition and students who avoid pork, dairy or gluten. Dining services processes fresh produce daily in our kitchen and the majority of the food we serve is freshly prepared in our kitchens on campus. If you have a specific dietary need, we encourage you to reach out to us (moravec@bw.edu) so we can make your home away from home as welcoming as possible.