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Frequently Asked Questions
How much money can I spend at each meal?
Good question!
The amount you are allotted for each meal period is the "meal card equivalency".
The meal card equivalencies for the 2008-2009 school year are:
Breakfast: $3.95
Lunch: $6.95
Dinner: $7.30
If the total of the selections you make is less than (or equal to) the equivalency amount, the transaction can be completed with just a swipe of the meal card
If the selections that you make total more than the meal card equivalency for the meal, you have to pay the difference. Your cashier will swipe your card to use the meal equivalency amount and then ask you how you want to pay for any addition charges.
Your transaction can be completed with Dining Plus, Cardinal Ca$h, cash, a check, or credit card* (Visa or MasterCard).
*Elliott Dining Service does not accept credit card payment.
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Where may I eat on campus?Dining Locations to learn more about BSU Dining's many locations follow the link.
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Where is my meal card and how do I use it?Your Ball State University ID card serves as your meal card. When purchasing items, simply present your card to the cashier to be swiped through an electronic card reader and you're on your way. Remember, you can only use the card once for each meal period as specified in your meal plan.
Breakfast is any swipe (completed transaction) between 2:00 a.m. - 10:29:59 a.m.
Lunch is any swipe (completed transaction) between 10:30:00 a.m. - 3:29:59 p.m.
Dinner is any swipe (completed transaction) between 3:30:00 p.m. - 1:59:59 a.m.
NOTE: If you want to use your Cardinal Cash or Dining Plus instead of "using a meal", tell the cashier before the card is swiped, otherwise Mr. Computer will "take your meal" for the meal period in which the transaction takes place.
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What if I lose my BSU ID card?Report your lost or stolen BSU ID card at any dining service location.
Once you've reported the card lost or stolen, the card access system will be set to reject the use of the missing card so someone finding the card cannot use it to get your nibbles.
With proof of your identification, you can still get fed. Check with the dining unit's management staff before you hit the chow line and follow the administrative procedures at the individual dining location. Do not expect any frills like Dining+ or Cardinal Cash, just basic feeding. You don't have to miss any meals.
If you later find the missing card, it can be reinstated at Ball State Dining Administrative offices located at Carmichael Hall, Room 140. There is a $3 fee charged through the Bursar's Office for the reinstatement.
If the card is "gone for good", you will want to replace it as soon as practical at the Bursar's Office. A $10 fee is charged for replacement cards.
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What are the different meal plans and what do they cost?Meal Plans are designed to offer great value and healthy food choices for students. Students may choose from five meal plans which include the 21, Any 18+, Any 14+, and Any 10+ Value Meal Plans and the Ultimate Choice Meal Plan.
If you do not select a meal plan when signing a housing/dining contract, the Any 18+ Meal Plan will be assigned.
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How do I pick a meal plan?
Choose the plan that best matches your schedule and dining preference.
For example, if you're an athlete or someone who likes to eat three full-meals a day, then the 21 Meal Plan may be a good choice.
If you regularly skip one meal a day, then the Any 18+ or Any 14+ meal plans may be a better option.
If you would like more information regarding choosing a plan, call the Administrative Office at 765-285-1967.
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Can I change my meal plan?Changes from one meal plan to another can be made in person at the Dining Administrative Office at CA 140, in writing, or on the Meal Plan Change web site. Requests must be made on or before August 1 for the fall semester 2008 and on or before December 1 for the spring semester 2009.
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What if I miss a meal? Do I get a refund?The value meal plans incorporate a missed meal factor into the price, which allows us to offer the plans to students at a discount. To maximize your meal plan on those days that you know you will miss a meal period, use a SackMeals form or use your meal card to buy snacks or convenience (frozen or prepackaged) foods to eat later.
What are the hours for meals at BSU?Because your meal card swipe is recorded in a database, the following times are the meal periods:
Breakfast 2:00 a.m. - 10:29:59 a.m.
Lunch 10:30 a.m. - 3:29:59 p.m.
Dinner 3:30 p.m. - 1:59:59 a.m.
Anytime you swipe your card and do not indicate to the cashier that it is a Cardinal Ca$h or Dining Plus transaction, the database will record your transaction as a meal. (This means that if you only purchase a soft drink, the database will think that is what you are having for a meal...it's a database!! scheesh!!)
Be careful around the times when meal plans change. If you have breakfast items on your tray and the clock clicks over to 10:30 a.m., the database will record your swipe as lunch.
The good news -- cashiers are NOT databases, they are people who are ready and willing to swipe your card and make sure that your bacon-egg-cheese biscuit is a breakfast and not a lunch. Just ask and they can make sure that the right meal was taken from your dining plan and if not, we'll get it fixed!
Clear as mud?? Ask a cashier, and if you still need more info, call 285-1967 and ask any friendly person about meal card times.
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How does Dining keep track of the number of meals I've eaten each week?Each time you swipe your meal card, a computer program records the time, date, location, amount of the transaction, and other data related to the transaction. The program tracks how many meals you've used and how many are left for the week. For Dining Services, a "week" begins with breakfast on Sunday and ends with dinner the following Saturday.
Why am I running out of meals on Saturday?It's Saturday lunch, you're trying to grab some grub, and your meal card swipe reveals "no more meals available"...what's up??
It's pretty simple. In Dining, our week begins on Sunday at 2:00 a.m. That means that any meals you have left on Saturday night are cleared and on Sunday morning your meal plan resets with the number of meals that you have selected. So your "Any 10+ plan" will be reset to 10 meals on Sunday morning or "Any 18+ plan" will reset to 18 meals.
If you have questions or think you have the wrong plan, call 285-1967 and get more details.
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What happens if I'm too sick to come and eat?If you are too ill to eat at one of the Dining locations, contact your residence hall director or RA to make arrangements for someone to pick up food for you. There's form, available at your hall, that will have to be filled out and signed by the appropriate hall staff. The food transporter will need to take the approved signed form and your BSU ID to one of the dining locations, and viola, you can have food.
You may order a sack meal on line, and with appropriate approved form and your BSU ID also. In the comments field, just indicate who will be picking up your meal for you. Use the SackMeals link for the order.
Get the approvals (form from the residence hall) first and you shouldn't have a problem but don't just assume that you can give your card to someone and that person can pick up food for you. That is a violation of your contract and can only lead to some problems. Beware...the world needs more wares.
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I have a food allergy. What foods can I safely eat?If you have a specific dietary need (i.e., lactose intolerant, diabetic, food allergy) we will be glad to work with you to accommodate your needs. For more information, contact Dining at 765-285-1967.
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Unanswered questionsIf you have questions that are not answered on this web site, please send an e-mail message to athome@bsu.edu or call the Dining Administrative Office at 765-285-1967.
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