FAQ
How do I figure out which plan will work best for me?
First, consider how many days you will be
using the meal plan. The Dining Service operates its physical locations
in the Higgins University Center while classes are in session, and
on average it is open 108 days of operation. Now deduct the number
of days you may be away from campus, for example, going home on
weekends etc., let's assume 18 days away for this example, and deduct
an amount appropriate from the 108 days. (108 - 18 = 90 days)
Second, consider how many meals you normally eat in a day. Example:
If you typically eat 2 meals per day, then multiply the 90 by 2
and 180 meals will be needed to be purchased for the semester stay
at Clark. If you believe that this scenario fits your lifestyle,
then the 200 Meal Swipe plan is the right choice. During the semester
if you realize that you will need more meals, you may purchase additional
meals in blocks of 10 for a discounted price of only $43.
We do not recommend buying additional Meal Blocks until you are
familiar with the meal plan and your eating habits. All meals must
be used in the semester that they are purchased or they are forfeited.
Dining Dollars is another feature of each meal plan that you can
use to purchase food and drinks at the other food venues operated
by the Dining Service on campus: Higgins Bistro, Freud's Coffee
House and Higgins Late Night. All food and beverage at these locations
can be purchased using cash, Dining Dollars or Clark's OneCard.
If you use all of your Dining Dollars you can add additional "Rollover"
Dining Dollars to your Meal Plan, or add funds to your Clark OneCard
at anytime. For more information on the Clark OneCard, please check
out the OneCard website.
What are Rollover Dining Dollars?
Rollover Dining Dollars are a new addition
to the meal plans starting with the school year 2006 -2007. The
new Rollover Dining Dollars act in the same way that Dining Dollars
do except for one big difference; Rollover Dining Dollars will stay
with you and your future meal plans until you use them up. Unlike
straight Dining Dollars that must be consumed within the school
year, the Rollover Dining Dollars will "Roll" form one
year to the next and any unused Rollover Dining Dollars will be
returned to you when you leave Clark University. Adding Rollover
Dining Dollars to your meal plan is easy and can be done at any
time throughout the year by depositing money into the Rollover Dining
Dollars portion of your meal plan at the Clark Cashier's Office.
Whom do I see about a special diet or nutrition information?
If you are in need of a special diet, make an appointment to review
your needs with the General Manager of Dining Services or the Executive
Chef. In addition, Terri Brownlee, who directs nutritional programs
regionally, is available for questions via email at askterri@cafebonappetit.com,
and will visit Clark regularly.
Can I change my Meal Plan once the semester has begun?
Yes. We recognize that your schedule may change
once the semester is underway and it is important that you select
a plan that will reflect your academic schedule, lifestyle and dining
needs. Therefore, if you are required to have a meal plan you have
the option of changing your meal plan to one of equal or greater
value at any time during the semester if required a prorated cost
will be charged. If you are eligible to participate in a voluntary
meal plan, you can drop the meal plan only during the first two
weeks of each semester. Dining Dollars used in excess of the pro-rated
calculation will be assessed on an actual per dollar basis.
Is there any condition which would not
allow a meal plan change during the semester?
Yes. Once you have used more meal swipes or
Dining Dollars than the new meal plan contains that you would want
to change to, the meal plan change can not be allowed. Here is an
example. If you were currently on the mandatory meal plan 115S/225D
and you have used more than 125 Dining Dollars you can not transfer
to the 200S125D because there would not be sufficient dining dollars
to leave a positive balance after the change. Dinging Dollars are
real dollars that you can use within the dining program. If your
plan were to go negative as a result of the change, you would be
asked to make up the difference. The alternative options to adding
more meal swipes or dining dollars would be to purchase a block
or 10 meal swipes or add money to the One Card, cash card.
Can I substitute items within the "Meal Swaps" offered
in the Higgins Bistro?
The Meal Swap was set up to offer the student
who does not have the time to dine in the dining hall and needs
to "Grab" something quick to take out of the facility.
No substitutions are allowed with in the Meal Swap; however, with
several Meal Swap items on the menu daily, there should be something
for everyone.
Why are some meal plans limited to 4 Meal Swipes in one day?
There are a number of reasons for this limit. One is to assist students
in managing their plan so that they have sufficient meals to utilize
their meal plan throughout the semester. Another is that in order
to provide a high quality meal plan at a cost that is well below
that of our neighboring colleges and universities, it is necessary
to place some restrictions on the plan.
If I don't use all my meals, do they carry
over to the following semester?
In order to get the greatest value from your
plan, it is important you select a plan that will reflect your academic
schedule, lifestyle and dining needs. Your meals do not carry over
from semester to semester.
What happens to my unused Clark Dining Dollars at the end of the
semester?
Clark Dining Dollars do carry over from the
fall to spring semester during the academic year. You must be enrolled
in a meal plan for both semesters in order for the Dining Dollars
to carry forward. Your Clark Dining Dollars do not carry over from
one academic year to the next.
What happens if I run out of meals before the semester ends?
The new dining plan has the option of buying additional meals in
blocks of 10 for a discounted price of only $43. You can purchase
these at any time during the semester, but any meals purchased will
not carry over from one semester to the next. To purchase your additional
meals please see your Student Account Counselors or the Cashier.
What do I do if my Clark Dining Dollars run low?
Each time you make a cash purchase using your
Clark Dining Dollars, your remaining balance will be printed on
your receipt. If your Clark Dining Dollars run low, we suggest you
add cash to your Cash Card account. Cash Card can be used at any
of the Clark Dining locations as well as the Bookstore, Peppercorns,
Dominos, and Fantastic Pizza. It is simple to use your Cash Card
- simply present your Clark OneCard and tell the cashier that you
are using your Cash Card. It is also simple to add cash to your
Cash Card account - at anytime visit the Cashier's Office, 20 Downing
Street , 2nd floor or call 518 793-7422. Learn more about Cash Card.
Can my friend use my OneCard to access my meal plan?
No one but you can use your meal plan as your meal plan is non-transferable.
However, your meal plan has limited guest swipes and you may use
those to treat a friend.
What if I lose my OneCard?
Your Clark OneCard is your official University
ID, your Meal Card, building access instrument and for some students
- their Cash Card. Should you lose your OneCard, it is important
that you report the loss immediately to the OneCard Office or call
508 793-7109 or the University Police. We will be able to deactivate
your card to prohibit unauthorized use. You will be required to
replace your OneCard for use with the meal plan. The fee for an
OneCard card replacement card is $15.00.
How do I use my card at the Dining Hall or Bistro?
When you go to the Dining Room, you present your card to the attendant
and they swipe your card for 1 meal swipe. The Meal Plan system
(CBORD) is set up to deduct a meal from your board allotment. If
all of the meals have been used up, the system will automatically
roll to any additional meals you may have added to your Plan. If
there are no additional meals left, the Plan will roll over to the
Guest Meal service.
How do I bring a guest?
If you are bringing a guest, please inform
the attendant that you have a guest and the attendant will charge
the proper meal account.
How are the Meal Plans set up in the system?
The system that manages the accounting/tracking of meal swipes is
called CBORD. IN CBORD, your identification code is assigned several
sub-accounts to keep track of the number of meal swipes, Guest Meals,
added meal swipes, Dining Dollars, Rollover Dining Dollars and Cash
Card. For example, if you purchased the 200/125D, CBORD assigns
the following to your sale accounts: 190 Meal Swipes and 10 Guest
Swipes for a total of 200 Meals and $125 Dining Dollars. As you
swipe a meal, the sale account is reduced by one meal, leaving the
balance at 189 and so on as you use your meals. Guest meals are
reduced when you bring a guest and treat them to a meal, or when
all the sale accounts are used up and no meal swipes are left. Dining
Dollars can be used to make a purchase anywhere within the Dining
venues on campus. They can be used to buy a meal, coffee or a pizza
at late night. Unlike the Cash Card, Dining Dollars can only be
used in Clark Dining venues and should be used first.
How do I get my balance remaining of meal
swipes, dining dollars, cash card and rollover dining dollars?
The cash registers in the CAFE and Bistro
keep a running balance - please ask a cashier for your current information.
You can also obtain your balance through the One Card Office. Phone
#7109
Is there an Email address to send questions or comments
to?
If you need additional help in figuring out
which Meal Plan is the right one for you, or if have any questions
about the meal plan, you may reach us via Email at clarkdining@clarku.edu
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