Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Listed below are the most frequently asked questions and answers for Dining Services.

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 and convenience come with all of our meal plans. We have two "all you can eat" dining halls, a retail location, catering, and a Resident Simply To Go program to meet all of your campus dining needs. 

How do I purchase a Meal Plan?

If you are a new student, you will receive the enrollment packet at home the summer before you come. If you are a current student, you would have signed up for a Meal Plan during the Spring Room Lottery.

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. To change your plan, simply stop by the Office of Campus and Residential Life 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.To replace your student I.D. card please visit a Service Center today.

What are Denison Dollars?

Denison Dollars are a declining balance account where students can spend money that is deposited into an account. Money is 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 a meal plan, you may spend one of your meals to take care of your guest. 

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 dietitian, 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, Niles Gebele at ext. 6690, or by email at gebelen@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 used in the dining halls to help control quality, food safety and costs. However, the Convenient Meal Exchange is available in the Slayter Snack Bar, Sunday - Thursday from 5:30pm — 9:30pm. This 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. We are also introducing a new option for the 2012-2013 academic school year. Resident Simply To Go will be located at Curtis Dining Hall and will offer convenient, restaurant quality "to go" items for you to select from. This is designed for you to use a meal swipe to select an entree, side, beverage, and dessert to take with you for wherever and whenever you want your meal. You may also use your Flex Dollars to purchase food from the Slayer Snack Bar and prepare it in your dorm kitchen for a change of pace.

What is Resident Simply To Go?

Resident Simply To Go is an on-trend, high quality “Grab-and-Go” restaurant where meal plan customers can use their board plans to create a meal on the go. Guests can go directly into our Resident Simply To Go location, located at Curtis Dining Hall, and select an entree, one side, a beverage, and a dessert or treat of their choice. Once they have selected their items they should proceed to the Curtis checker to "pay" for their meal with a board swipe. Each meal from Simply To Go will count as one meal swipe. Students can use one swipe per meal period at Simply To Go. This new option allows our customer flexibility, control, variety and portability.

Simply To Go containers are prohibited in the dining halls. Students who wish to dine at Curtis Dining Hall and use the Resident Simply To Go may do so but we request that you eat in Curtis Dining Hall first and then visit our Simply To Go location on your way out to allow for proper food safety.

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 Cindy Allen (ext. 6690) or stop by our main office, located in Curtis West (outside of the Veggie Room) 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 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 more about the new meal plans by visiting our Meal Plans page.

Why am I only allowed to take out a cookie or snack from the dining halls?

Resident Dining Halls are all you can 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 our simple form, and tell us when you want to pick it up.

It's that easy!

We also offer Resident Simply To Go at Curtis Dining Hall. If you know in advance that you wont be able to make it to a dining hall stop by Simply To Go on your way out and select you meal or snack to take with you for later.