Q: Where is your office located?
A: The food service office is located in the lower level of the University Center.
Q: How do I purchase a meal plan or add Munch Money to my account?
A: There are a few ways to add to your account. You can visit our Meal Plans section of this website to add Munch Money or Platinum, Titanium and Gold plans using a credit card.
Second, you can send an e-mail to foodmealplans@usi.edu , be sure to include your full name and student ID. Or, you can fill out a form by visiting our Food Service office.
Meal plans can be added to the University account until Friday of the first week of school. Thereafter, meal plans will need to be paid for at the time of purchase or pre-approved through the Bursar's office to be added to your university bill.
Munch Money can ONLY be purchase through the Food Service Office.
Q: What is the benefit of having munch money?
A: Munch Money funds receive a bonus enrichment. These funds are tax-free. Munch money can be used at any food service operation and can also be used for non-food items at the C-store and Starbucks. (Excluding Gift Cards)
Q: How do I choose a meal plan best suited for my needs?
A: First, decide how much you will be eating on campus. Do you usually eat breakfast, lunch and dinner? Do you get drinks or snacks between meals? Do you tend to snack a lot, rather than eat full meals? How often will you go home to eat? Will you be cooking often? Are you going to be in sports? Observe the times you will be available to dine. The buffet meals are offered for breakfast and dinner only. Munch Money/Dining Dollars can be used anytime, anywhere.
Red, White and Blue plans are generally designed for students on campus living in Residents Halls but are available for anyone. If you live in a Residents Hall, please choose from a Red, White or Blue plan. These plans offer a set amount of buffet meals per week to be used at the Loft dining hall (breakfast or dinner) or exchanged for a combo meal (after 3pm) at our participating retail locations along with Dining Dollars that can be used at anytime, anywhere. Buffet meals that are not used for the week will be forfeited. Two buffet meals can be used per day. Any unused Dining Dollars will carry over from Fall semester to Spring semester, they will be forfeited at the end of Spring semester.
Platinum, Gold and Titanium plans are designed for students living in the apartments and off campus and offer the most flexibility. These plans offer a set amount of buffet meals per semester to be used at the Loft dining hall (breakfast or dinner) along with Munch Money that can be used anytime, anywhere. Any unused buffet meals and Munch Money will carry over from Fall semester to Spring semester, they will be forfeited at the end of Spring semester. Unused buffet meals can be converted into Munch Money at anytime at the Food Service office.
Q: Do I have to sign up for a meal plan each semester?
A: No. Your meal plan will automatically renew for the Spring semester. If you find that the plan you are on does not work for you, come to the Food Service office before Spring semester starts and make the appropriate changes. Or, you can e-mail us at foodmealplans@usi.edu , be sure to include your full name and student ID along with the change you would like to make.
You will be prorated for changes and cancellations after the start of the semester. Red, White and Blue plans- 10% after the first week*, 20% after the second week*, 30% after the third week*, and 40% after the fourth week*. No changes or cancellations can be made after the fourth week. Platinum, Titanium, and Gold plans- no changes or cancellations can be made after the first week*.
*Week begins on Friday, through Thursday
Q: What are the benefits of having a meal plan or Munch Money?
A: There are many benefits to having a meal plan or Munch Money. The items purchased with a meal plan/Munch Money are tax-free. It’s safer than cash and easier to budget. You receive complimentary enrichment funds when you add money to your plan (over $50). In addition to food purchases, you can purchase non-food items such as toilet paper, deodorant, clothing and more from the Eagle Express Convenience Store, and Starbucks merchandise.
Q: What is the difference between Dining Dollars, Munch Money and Flex Dollars?
A: Dining Dollars come with the Red, White, and Blue plans and they are not enriched. These funds are tax-free. They can only be added at the Food Service Office. They can only be used for food at the food service operations. Non-food items can be used at the C-store and Starbucks. (Excluding Gift Cards) These funds expire the end of the school year.
Munch Money comes with the Titanium, Gold, and Platinum plans or can be purchased separately and those funds are enriched. These funds are tax-free. They can only be added at the Food Service office. They can only be used for food at the food service operations. Non-food items can be used at the C-store and Starbucks. (Excluding Gift Cards) These funds expire the end of the school year.
Flex Dollars are purchase at the Eagle Access office. This money is taxable and is not enriched. It can be used in food service operations, vending machines, the bookstore, and for copies and laundry. These funds do not expire.
Q: How do I make changes to my meal plan?
A: You can make changes only during the first week of the semester. Changes can be made at the food service office or via e-mail to foodmealplans@usi.edu. Be sure to include your name, student ID number, and the change you would like to make. |
Q: What is enrichment?
A: Enrichment is complimentary (free) money added to your account when you purchase a Gold, Platinum, or Titanium plan, or add Munch Money to your card. Please note enrichment is taxable and is NOT included in your Munch Money balance. To check your enrichment account, please ask any cashier for a balance check.
Q: How often can I use my "Buffet Meals"?
A: Students on Red, White and Blue plans are issued their meals on FRIDAY of each week. You are able to use up to two buffet meals per day. (i.e., Breakfast/Dinner, Breakfast/Exchange Meal, Dinner/Exchange Meal, etc.)
Students on Gold, Platinum, and Titanium meals can use their buffet meals during Breakfast and Dinner Buffets, as many as you would like per day.
There are a total of 14 Buffet Meals available per week, not including Exchange Meals.
Q: What if I am unable to make it to the Loft for my buffet meal?
A: Students on the Titanium, Platinum, and Gold plans have the option of converting those unused meals into Munch Money.
Students on the Red, White, and Blue plans have the option of exchanging their board meal at Burger King, SubConnection, and the Eagle Xpress Convenience Store after 3pm for a select combo meal.
*not valid for all value meals
Q: What if I am sick?
A: If you are sick and unable to make it to the Loft for your buffet meal, please contact Food Service to arrange for a friend to pick it up for you or call Eagle Xpress Convenience Store for delivery.
Q: Am I able to take food with me from the Loft?
A: You must purchase or exchange an approved to-go container at the cashier station before entering the Loft to take food to-go. Dine-in meals CANNOT be taken to-go. (Buffet meals only)
Q: What happens to my unused meals and Munch Money/Dining Dollars?
A: All Munch Money/Dining Dollars will carry over from Fall semester to Spring. All funds left at the end of Spring semester will be forfeited. Depending on the meal plan you choose, unused meals for Titanium, Platinum, and Gold plans will carry over the same as Munch Money or can be converted into Munch Money; unused meals for Red, White, and Blue will be forfeited each week. At the end of Spring semester, if you have left over Munch Money/Dining Dollars, bulk orders and apparel can be purchased at the Eagle Express Convenience Store.
Q: How do I check the balance on my card?
A: With every purchase you make, a declining balance will be shown on your receipt. Or you can take your card to any register and ask for a balance check. If the balance shown is in question, you can come to the Food Service office for a print out of your transactions. Enrichment funds are NOT included in the declining balance.
Q: What do I do if my card is lost or stolen?
A: To protect your funds in case of this event, call Food Service or Eagle Access immediately to have your card “frozen”. Upon finding or replacing your card your account can be “un-frozen”. To replace a lost or stolen card, Eagle Access charges a $10 replacement fee. If your card is damaged or worn out, a new one will be made at no charge. If closed, call the Safety & Security office at 812-464-1845
Q: What do I do if my valuables are lost or stolen?
A: First, you can check with Food Services. All items found are turned over to Security. To help protect your valuables, do not save your seat with them! Food Services is not liable for any lost or stolen items.
Q: Why don't you get full value (door price) when you exchange a meal?
A: Meal plan students do not pay full value for their buffet meals. Since we don't know when you will use an exchange meal, you are anticipated to attend the Loft. Exchange meals at retail locations must also include cost for royalties to the brand.
Q: When do I receive my weekly buffet meals?
(Red, White & Blue plans)
A: The week starts on Friday, through Thursday. Your meals will be available to use at 7:00am Friday. |
