If I live off-campus in an apartment or house, can I buy a meal plan?
Yes. All students who are authorized to be at Dartmouth College can have a meal plan with Dining and access all our properties. Off-campus students can add any of the meal plans offered to their student account, so that they can join their friends for a great nutritious meal at an unbeatable value.
What does it mean to have an UNLIMITED plan?
The Ivy Unlimited plan is like having a ski season pass or a gym membership. With it, you can dine in and eat at '53 Commons from morning 'til night and you don't need to worry about counting swipes or visits. Stop by as many times per meal period as you would like! As with any membership, you get additional benefits, which only add to its great value; to-go meals from '53 Commons and the ability to use the plan at our other dining facilities when you like.
What is a meal period and how do they work with an unlimited meal plan?
Our day is made up of three meal periods: breakfast (7:00 a.m. - 10:59 a.m.), lunch (11:00 a.m. - 3:59 p.m.), and dinner (4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.). Each meal period offers the ability to have unlimited dine-in at '53 Commons (7:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.) or make another selection; meal to-go from '53 Commons or meal equivalency at our participating cafes. A choice is made each meal period when you use your meal plan.
Where are meal equivalencies available for use?
A meal equivalency or swipe can be used at these participating cafes: Collis Café, Courtyard Café, and Novack Café. Values for meal equivalencies are $6.25 for breakfast, $8.50 for lunch, $10.00 for dinner, and $6.25 after 9:00 p.m.
Where are Dining Dollars accepted?
Dining Dollars are accepted at these participating locations: Novack Café, ramekin, Collis Café, Courtyard Café, The Fern, Café @ Baker, Back of the Napkin Café, '53 Commons, and our residential snack bars located in House Center B, the McLaughlin Cluster, and the East Wheelock cluster.
What happens if I run out of Dining Dollars?
Your student account will be charged for purchases if you have exhausted your Dining Dollar balance. Charges will show up monthly on your account for payment.
Will Dining Dollar balances at the end of any term roll over to the next term?
Yes, as of the start of the fall term 2024 all remaining Dining Dollars balances will roll over from one term to the next until they expire at the end of commencement that year. Prior to that date, up to $100 in Dining Dollars will roll over from summer term 2024 to fall term 2024.
If I use a meal equivalency at 8:30 a.m. at the Collis Café can I then use a meal swipe at 10:30 a.m. at '53 Commons with the Ivy Unlimited plan?
You would not be able to do that with the Ivy Unlimited plan, as you had already chosen for that breakfast meal period by using the meal equivalency at the Collis Café. At the beginning of each meal period, you essentially must choose between three options: dining at '53 Commons and swiping in as many times as you like, getting one to-go meal from '53 Commons, or using one meal equivalency at one of our cafés. However, you can continue to use Dining Dollars and other forms of payment to supplement your meals at our other facilities.
What are Discretionary Dollars and how do they work?
Discretionary Dollars reside on your student ID and is an account preloaded with funds which can then be used. They are accepted at Collis Market and all snackbar locations on campus. We recommend that students make their intent clear with the cashier before having their ID card swiped. Otherwise, your Dining Charging account may be used to pay for the transaction instead of your Discretionary Dollars account.
What is Dining Charging and how does it work?
Dining Charging resides on your student ID and it functions like a credit card. The balance on your Dining Charging account will be charged to the student account at the end of each month. No action is needed to "activate" the Dining Charging account as it is already enabled for every undergraduate student. Please keep in mind that it has two purposes:
1. If the student uses up their Dining Dollars, then dining transactions would be covered by their Dining Charging account.
2. If the student goes to Collis Market, the Dining Charging account can be used to pay for transactions. We recommend that the student communicate with the cashier at the time of sale to make their intent clear.
If I don't have the Ivy Unlimited plan, how often can I use a meal swipe at '53 Commons per meal period?
You can use your 115 Block Plus or 80 Block Plus one time within each of the three meal periods daily.
Do meal swipes roll over from term to term if I have a 115 Block Plus or 80 Block Plus plan?
No, leftover meals from the previous term are not added to the new term's balance. Swipes expire once the new term's meals activate.
What if I have a food allergy?
We can satisfy your food allergy concerns. Please let us know if you have anything we should know about to serve you. Our Dietitian and Chef are here for you. You can reach them by email at dartmouth.dining@dartmouth.edu or by phone at 603-646-9701.
How do I change my dining plan?
Request to change your dining plan online through the DartCard Services office from the time the current term's tuition bill is released up until 4:00 p.m. on the third day of class.
How do I pay for my GET Food orders?
GET Food order payments are made via a Meal Swipe Equivalency, if available, with any remaining balance applied to Dining Dollars. If there is no equivalency available, Dining Dollars will be used.