Dining Services
FAQs
Why should I purchase a Meal Plan?
Meal Plans ensure that you will have well balanced, nutritious meals throughout the semester regardless of your "cash on hand" situation.
Flexibility comes with both Plan B and Plan C, which provide greater choice for you and convenience for your schedule.
The Carte Blanche program (Plan A) provides an "all you can eat" scenario every time you visit the dining hall.
How do I purchase a Meal Plan?
If you are a current student at Denison, you would have signed up for the Meal Plan during the Spring Room Lottery. If you are a new student, you will receive the enrollment packet at home the summer before you come.
What if I change my mind about the plan I chose?
Each semester you have two weeks during which you may elect to change your meal plan selection. To change your plan, simply stop by the Campus and Residential Life Office in Doane.
What happens if I lose my Student I.D. card?
Since your I.D. is your "passport" to Dining Services, you will have to either find your card or have a new one made. You can still gain entrance to the Dining Halls with a temporary "lost card voucher". These may be obtained at the checkstand at either Curtis or Huffman Dining Hall. They are good for two days so that you have time to find your card, or have a new one made in the Residential Service Centers. Your temporary card will not give you access to your Denison Dollars or Flex Dollars at any of the retail facilities. This is to protect your dollars in the event that someone else has your card and wants to spend your money.
What if I run out of meals before the end of the semester?
If you are on Apartment Alternative Plans 1 or 2, you may purchase more meals at the Dining Service Office, located in Curtis West. Meals may be purchased in increments of 25 and each meal is $2.15. You may use your Denison Dollars, Bookstore Dollars or put it on your school account.
Also, if you are on Meal Plans B, C, or Apartment Alternative Plan 3, and you find you are running out of meals before the end of the week, you may purchase a block of 25 meals to supplement your current plan. The "block meals" would only be used after your weekly meals have all been used, and would carry over from week to week and also from fall semester to spring semester.
What are Denison Dollars?
Denison Dollars are a declining balance account where students can spend monies already deposited into an account. Monies are deposited with the Cashiers Office and then transferred onto your Denison I.D. card. Cash Line prices in the Dining Halls are discounted for Denison Dollar customers. Money is usually available the next day after deposit.
What happens to my Flex Dollars and Denison Dollars at the end of the semester?
Denison Dollars will carry over from year to year until you graduate. At the end of your senior year, you may request your balance, in writing, from the Cashiers Office. Flex Dollars are actually a part of the meal plan which you purchase for a semester. At the end of the semester, any remaining Flex Dollars are forfeited.
May I bring family or friends to eat with me?
Absolutely! Guests are always welcome in any of our facilities. You may pay for your guests using your Denison Dollars, Flex Dollars or cash. If you are on Plans B or C, you may spend one of your meals to take care of your guest. Plan A meals are unlimited and therefore, for your own consumption only.
What if I have special dietary needs?
Denison Dining Services are always willing to go the extra mile and help you stay within any dietary guidelines that you may have. We have access to our company dietician, an on-line interactive site you can visit, and a management staff that is knowledgeable, willing, and ready to help you with your dining needs. Contact the General Manager, Becky Macheda at ext. 6690, or by email at machedab@denison.edu for more information.
Do I have to eat all my meal plan meals in one of the resident dining halls?
Traditional meals are designed to be eaten in the dining halls to help control quality, food safety and costs. However, the Convenient Meal Alternative is available in Slayter Snack Bar, Sunday through Friday from 5:45 p.m.-9:00 p.m. The meal option is not designed to be a full dining hall experience, but rather an option that students may choose when they don't have time to go to a traditional hall. You may also use your Flex Dollars to purchase food from the Corner Market and prepare it in your dorm kitchen for a change of pace.
What else does the Dining Services offer?
Plenty! Listed below are just some of the services that we can provide for you. Just ask, and we are liable to help you take care of anything.
Catering Services- We have several levels of catering that customers may choose. Our top line catering can take care of anything from a small working deli lunch, to a full blown plated dinner for hundreds. Contact our catering office for details. Our No Frills Student Organization Catering Guide offers 6 options of even exchange meals that can be picked up in either dining hall for dorm parties, fraternity or sorority meetings, etc. Students must provide a valid list of meal plan participants with full names and I.D. numbers. You can also purchase munchies, snacks, deli trays and beverages at a rate comparable to those in downtown Granville. Contact either dining hall for information or a brochure. Curtis Hall x6346. Huffman Hall x6323.
Our Departmental "Quick and Easy" guide provides options that can be ordered and picked up the same day in Slayter for the Academic/Business Offices on campus where "pop up" lunches and quick meetings/coffees are the norm.
Weddings- Did you know that you can have your dream wedding (after you finish school!) here on campus and have Dining Services provide a beautiful reception for you and your new life partner? Well, you can. Contact Conference Services at 587-6461 for a brochure. Dorm picnic and parties are easy to organize and pay for when you include Dining Services in your planning. We can help you design the kind of event you want at a price you can afford.Are there student jobs available through Dining Services?
You bet...we need you! We can use all the student employees that we can get. Call Ruth Fies at extention 6691 or stop by Curtis Dining Hall to find out more about available positions.
What are the advantages to working for Dining Services?
On campus employment...no car needed!
Flexible hours...you can work as much or as little as you want.
Advancement opportunity to a Student Manager Position. Better pay, more responsibility, great resume filler!
Extra spending money!
Friends...people in Dining Services are friendly and fun to be with. The camaraderie you experience and the opportunity to work with people from different cultures is an educational advantage that few people get.
If I live off campus, or in apartment style housing, are there options for me?
Yes, we have three new meal plans designed exclusively for students who qualify to reside in Apartment-style housing and are not required to be on a meal plan. You may find out about these new plans at meal plans.
Why am I only allowed to take out a cookie or snack from the dining halls, especially if I am on an unlimited plan?
Resident Dining Halls are all you care to eat facilities. Allowing a cookie or piece of fruit, or an ice cream treat is a way to meet your need for a take out treat, and still control costs. Uncontrolled take out would lead to a much higher meal plan cost as well as create some food safety issues.
What if I am unable to make it to a dining hall for a meal?
If you are unable to get to a dining hall for a specific meal due to labs, classes, jobs or other commitments, you may make arrangements to pick up a box meal. Just see the checker in either dining hall, fill out the simple form, and tell us when you want to pick it up. It's that easy!