Dining FAQ
How do I change my meal plan?
Changes in your meal plan which result in a decrease in your plan may be made once each semester online by entering the online Housing System located on the Housing and Real Estate Services website and selecting the Modify Your Meal Plan option.
- Fall semester changes
October 3, 2011 through October 7, 2011 - Spring semester changes
February 6, 2012 through February 12, 2012. - Details
(see Terms and Policies, Terminations and Changes)
Increases in meal plans may be made at anytime using the online Housing System.
When does my meal plan contract start and end?
Fall semester meal plan contracts begin with brunch on Saturday, September 10 for freshmen and at breakfast on Monday, September 12 for all other contract holders. The Pre-Rade BBQ is open to all students with a TigerCard on Sunday, September 11 between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Fall semester meal plan contracts end with dinner on January 27, 2012 after fall semester final exams. Breakfast is served at the Frist Gallery on January 29, 7:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. for those students with a Saturday exam only.
Spring semester meal plan contracts begin with dinner on Sunday, February 5, 2012 and end with dinner on May 25, 2012. Breakfast is served at the Frist Gallery on May 26 , 7:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. to those students with a Saturday exam only.
Are there times when I cannot use my meal plan?
Block and unlimited meal plans cannot be used during fall recess, intersession and spring recess. Special recess contracts are available for purchase during these break periods one week prior to the break period. Unlimited meal plan holders may register in advance for the special recess contracts.
What is the fee for break period meal plans?
Princeton University Dining Services offers a meal plan to students remaining on campus during fall recess, intersession, and spring recess. Break meal plans are complimentary to those students with an unlimited meal plan provided they register before the deadline. The fee is $120.00 for students without an unlimited meal plan. Registration information and access to an online registration form is contained in an announcement on the Dining Services website prior to the break period. As an added reminder, the Dean's Office sends a link to this information in an e-mail before each break.
Where can I find nutritional information about the food served in Dining Services' dining halls, the Frist Campus Center, and other retail venues on campus?
The Today's Menus section of the Dining Services website provides nutritional analysis of many of the foods served each day in each dining venue. In addition, allergen information is also contained there.
Which of the fruit juices available at campus juice dispensers do not contain high-fructose corn syrup?
Orange, grapefruit and apple juice do not contain high-fructose corn syrup.
How can I check my meal plan balance?
Check your dining account activity and balances online any time on the TigerCard Office Website.
What is my suggested Meal Plan Balance?
Once you know your meal plan balance, determine if you are using your block plan strategically by consulting the suggested meal plan balance by date for your particular plan.
What is the two extra meals program?
To encourage connection to a residential college Dining Services credits two extra meals per week to all upperclassmen regardless of whether or not they have purchased a meal plan. These meals may be used in any residential dining hall.
When do the two extra meals per week for Juniors and Seniors begin?
The two extra meals per week for Juniors and Seniors will begin on Monday, September 19, 2011. Students with block meal plans can expect to see the two extra meals (30 meals per semester) reflected in their meal plan balance within the first two weeks of each semester.
Can my two extra meals be used at any meal?
Two Extra Meals cannot be used for Seders at the Center for Jewish Life, the Thanksgiving Dinner on November 17; the Holiday Dinner on December 13; Theme Dinners on January 24 and 25; and Visiting Chef dinners March 26 through March 29.
Can I eat in a dining hall if I don't have a meal plan? What do you accept as payment and what is the cost?
Members of the University community without a meal plan, including students, faculty and staff may eat in any residential college dining hall and at the dining hall at the Center for Jewish Life. You will need to provide your TigerCard to gain access.
Acceptable student payment includes Paw Points or a student charge. Tower Cards, PawPoints and department charges are acceptable as payment from faculty and staff. The dining hall card checker will swipe your card. Be sure to let the card checker know which method you are choosing so that your account will be credited properly. Meal rates are provided here.
Can I use my meal plan at the Frist Campus Center?
You may use your meal plan for Late Show at the Food Gallery at Frist, beginning with the first day of classes, fall semester through January 27, 2012 and in the spring semester between February 6 and May 25, 2012. You may use Paw Points any time at the Food Gallery at Frist. In addition you may use your meal plan for Saturday breakfast at the Food Gallery, from 7:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. The breakfast cash credit may not exceed $4.00. In addition breakfast is served at the Food Gallery at Frist to meal plan holders with exams on the last Saturday of exams in both the fall and spring semesters from 7:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m When ordering from the Food Gallery menu students may not exceed an order amount of $5.95.
How do I use my 10 guest meals from my block plan?
You may ask the card checker during regular meal periods to deduct any of the 10 guest meals per block plan. Guest meals may not be used during recess periods.
What are the dining hours of operation for Frist Campus Center and in the Residential College dining halls?
Hours of operations are posted for each venue on the Hours of Operations page.
Is breakfast served on weekends?
During non-recess periods, breakfast is served on Saturday in the Gallery at the Frist Campus Center, from 7:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. with cash credit of $4.00. Brunch is served on both Saturday and Sunday in the Residential College dining halls, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
How can I locate a campus dining facility?
Use the Dining Services Map to locate dining facilities on campus.
What are Late Show limits?
When choosing the Late Show option you will be charged one meal credit (swipe). Late Show cash credits are $5.95 for lunch and $6.95 for dinner.
Can I use two meals (swipes) at Late Show?
No, you may use only one meal (swipe) at Late Show.
Where can I find information about dining at the Center for Jewish Life?
Any student with a meal contract may eat at the Center for Jewish Life dining hall by presenting their TigerCard at the entrance to the dining hall. Paw Points and student charges may be used as payment as well. Location and hours of operation for the Center for Jewish Life dining hall are posted online. More information about special meals for Shabbat, Passover and other Jewish holidays can be found at the Center for Jewish Life website.
Where can I find information about Graduate Dining Options?
Dining options and graduate student meal plan information is provided by the Office of Student Life in the Graduate School and by Dining Services.
Can I meal exchange at the Frist Campus Center?
No, meal exchanges are designed to make it possible for students to dine with their friends at eating clubs without the expenditure of additional funds.
How do I contact Dining Services?
If you wish to contact Dining Services please send an e-mail to ds@princeton.edu. We will be happy to answer your questions and welcome your comments.
I will be visiting Princeton during the academic year, where can I dine on campus?
Retail dining venues will be open including the Food Gallery at Frist Campus Center and will follow the academic year schedule of operations.
