We’re Currently Working on the 2021-2022 Meal Plan
As we continue to navigate life with COVID-19, we are actively planning for the 2021-2022 academic year.
If you have ideas or thoughts about the Meal Plan structure and what you’d like to see for next year,
please leave us a comment here.
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Campus Restaurant Closures
Campus Restaurants will be run minimal hours or be shut down during Thanksgiving, Christmas, J-Term and Spring Breaks.
These specific dates are determined by the current PLU academic calendar.
Meal Plan Questions?
Email: mealplan@plu.edu
How Your Meal Plan Works for 2020-2021
As we continue to navigate life with COVID-19, we’re excited to announce newly redesigned meal plans for 2020-21. Structured to give you the maximum amount of variety and flexibility, this year’s meal plans are Dining Dollar only plans.
Some of the defining factors of an all-you-care-to-eat meal plan don’t allow for the levels of food safety and personal distancing we know will be in place.
The new Dining Dollar only plans will allow for flexible dining schedules to meet your needs.
When you purchase your meal plan, Dining Dollars funds are loaded onto your LuteCard. The Residential Meal Plan is a declining balance plan. Like a debit account, Dining Dollars in your meal plan account are deducted when you make food purchases. To make a purchase, swipe your LuteCard at a cash register. Every food item has an individual price. Dining is not “all you care to eat” and there are no pre-set numbers of meals allotted to each student. Meal plans are non-transferable.
With the exception of Stuen and South Hall residents, students with an active housing assignment must enroll in one of the following four meal plans: A, B, C or D. Stuen residents must enroll in one of the following five plans: A, B, C, D or E. South Hall residents and commuter students may purchase a meal plan, but it is not required. You are encouraged to purchase Dining Dollars which can be added in any increment and are not subject to sales tax (but they still expire the last day of classes in May).
Note: Students not participating in a meal plan with a Residential Overhead fee do not get the discount. However, all Dining Dollar purchases are tax exempt.
MEAL PLAN A
This plan is intended for the student that will spend the majority of their time on campus. It is great for students who eat most meals on campus.| Semester | Dining Dollars | Overhead Cost* | Semester Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | $1520 | $1300 | $2820 |
| J-Term | $410 | $250 | $660 |
| SPRING | $1520 | $1300 | $2820 |
| Annual Total: | $6300 |
MEAL PLAN B
This is the default plan for students with a housing assignment other than South Hall. This plan is designed for the student who eats many of their meals on campus. You will be enrolled in this plan if you do not choose to opt into one of the other plans.| Semester | Dining Dollars | Overhead Cost* | Semester Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | $1380 | $1300 | $2,680 |
| J-Term | $370 | $250 | $620 |
| SPRING | $1380 | $1300 | $2,680 |
| Annual Total: | $5980 |
MEAL PLAN C
This plan is sufficient for many students who might be termed "middle of the road" eaters. Someone who likes to come in regularly, but doesn't eat the majority of meals on campus.| Semester | Dining Dollars | Overhead Cost* | Semester Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | $1275 | $1300 | $2575 |
| J-Term | $345 | $250 | $595 |
| SPRING | $1275 | $1300 | $2575 |
| Annual Total: | $5745 |
MEAL PLAN D
This plan is designed for the light eater who may enjoy smaller quantities or who doesn’t eat many meals on campus.| Semester | Dining Dollars | Overhead Cost* | Semester Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | $925 | $1300 | $2225 |
| J-Term | $245 | $250 | $495 |
| SPRING | $925 | $1300 | $2225 |
| Annual Total: | $4945 |
MEAL PLAN E
Stuen, South Hall and Off-Campus Meal PlansThis meal plan is designed for students residing in Stuen, South Hall or off-campus. Having a meal plan makes it easy to nurture connections on campus and socialize with friends. Being a student is complicated — don’t worry about your student’s next meal, we have a variety of healthy options waiting.
| Semester | Dining Dollars | Overhead Cost* | Semester Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | $555 | $0 | $555 |
| J-Term | $170 | $0 | $170 |
| SPRING | $555 | $0 | $555 |
| Annual Total: | $1280 |
Residential Overhead Cost*
In order to maintain financial stability for Hospitality Services & Campus Restaurants and to give students the flexibility of meal plan choices and value, Meal Plans A, B, C and D are a combination of an overhead payment and Dining Dollars. Residential Overhead is a critical up front payment that covers a portion of fixed costs. The overhead payment contributes to the operational business costs to maintain and operate our dining facilities on campus. These funds cover costs such as: staff and student salaries, utilities, supplies, repairs and capital expenses. The overhead allows us to budget more effectively, thus passing a higher savings on to the students.
There is no food credit value to the overhead fee. Residential Overhead for future dates is refundable up to the 14th week of the semester when a meal plan is cancelled by officially; cancelling housing, cancelling meal plan online or withdrawal from the university. There are no Residential Overhead refunds for past days.
Residential Plan Discounts
Students participating in Residential Meal plans and contributing to the Residential Overhead (A, B, C and D) will receive the following discounts when making purchases with Dining Dollars:
25% Discount in the Commons
10% Discount in Old Main Market
10% Discount in Kelley Café
10% Discount in Lute Café
10% Discount at OMM Outpost
No discount at 208 Garfield
Dining Dollars may be used for to go orders
You must have your LuteCard with you when you make food purchases from your meal plan, if you don’t have it you will be asked to pay cash, credit or debit and will not receive a discount. Note: Students not participating in a meal plan with a Residential Overhead do not get a discount. However, all Dining Dollar purchases are tax exempt.
About Dining Dollars
Dining Dollars are exempt from State Sales Tax and are accepted at all Campus Restaurants. They may be used for food purchases only. You can add tax exempt Dining Dollars through the GET app ($2.75 fee), online (charge to student account) or at Old Main Market.
Your Dining Dollar balance carries over from Fall to Spring and expires the last day of Spring term. Be sure to budget your Dining Dollars to make sure they last through the semester. Here is a helpful chart to help with week to week balance checking.
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