cafe : faq

Q. I am a resident student. What are my meal plan options?
A. All resident students living in the Oak Street Residence Hall are automatically enrolled in the 17-meal plan.  All resident students living in the Shepley Apartments are automatically enrolled in the 5-meal plan and are welcome to upgrade to the 17-meal plan or purchase the 50 Block Plan.  All resident students may also choose to purchase MECA Bucks for additional flexibility.   
        
Q. I live off-campus. What are my meal plan options?
A. Non-resident students are eligible and encouraged to purchase a meal plan.  All students are eligible for either the 17-meal plan or the 50 Block Plan. The 17-meal plan must be purchased by September 16, 2008 for the fall semester and January 27, 2009 for the spring semester.  You may also open a MECA Bucks account at any time.

Q. Can I have both a Block Plan and a MECA Bucks account?
A. Yes. Use MECA bucks for when you want less than 5 items or are eating at the Cafe outside of the scheduled breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. Use your 50 Block Plan to purchase full meals. You may only use your 50 Block Plan during designated meal times

Q. What is the difference between a 50 Block Plan and a MECA Bucks account?
A. In the 50 Block Plan, you are buying a block of meals. Each meal includes 5 choices from the menu.  With MECA Bucks, you pay for each item individually, i.e. one cup of coffee, one bagel. You may only use your meal plan during designated meal times only. MECA Bucks are available for use at all times.

Q. What is the difference between a 5 or 17 meal plan and a 50 Block plan?
A. All plans must be used during the hours designated for meals. The 5 and 17 meal plans allows you to eat 5 or 17 meals weekly. The 50 Block Plan allows you to eat 50 meals within the academic year.

Q.  Where do I make changes to my meal plan or add MECA Bucks to my account?
A.  The Business Office in the Administrative Center.

Q. May I add additional funds to my meal plan if I run out of funds before the semester is over?
A.  Yes, you can add additional funds in the form of MECA Bucks in $50 increments or you can elect the 50 Block Plan at any time during the fall or spring semester.

Q.  What happens with my unused meals or MECA Bucks?
A.  Unused meals or MECA Bucks roll over from the fall to spring semester, but any unused meals or MECA Bucks are forfeited at the end of the academic year. 

Q. May I treat guests with my meal plan?
A.  No, you may not treat guests with your meal plan.

Q. May I treat guests using my MECA Bucks?
A. Yes, you may use your MECA Bucks to pay for guests and/or family. However, please remember this will result in a more rapid depletion of your funds.

Q. When does the meal plan week begin and end?
A. The Meal Plan week begins at breakfast on Friday and ends the following week after dinner on Thursday.  The Cafe cashier will be happy to remind you how many meals you have consumed on your plan as well as how many MECA Bucks are left on your account.

Q. Are there times during the year when my meal plan is not in effect?
A. Yes, the meal plan is not in effect during the winter break, December 13 – January 8th.  During the other short breaks (October break, spring break, and Thanksgiving) there will be cold options only.
 
Q.  Are there times of the day when I cannot use my meal plan?
A.  Yes, the Meal Plan can only be used during the following meal hours:

Weekday Meal Plan Hours

Breakfast : 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Lunch: 11:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At all other times, the cashier will accept MECA Bucks, debit/credit cards and cash.