Dining Options

Students find mealtime an opportunity to meet old and new friends, visit and relax, and of course, eat! We’re introducing new plans this year that are flexible and suited to students’ lifestyles. The 7-Day Plan allows you to eat anytime and at any dining hall that’s open without worrying about missing meals. The 5-Day Plan offers the same flexibility Monday through Friday. Transfer students assigned to the apartments may choose from these two plans or one that provides 55 meals per quarter. All meal plans include additional Flexi Dollars that can be used in the college coffee shop, dining hall or other campus dining outlets.

There are five dining halls located on campus: the Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall at Cowell, the Crown/ Merrill Dining Hall at Crown, Porter Dining Hall, the Oakes/College Eight Dining Hall at College Eight, the College Nine/Ten Dining Commons and one downtown at the UCSC Inn. While you’ll probably eat most of your meals at the College Eight Dining Hall, there may be times when you find it inconvenient to return there for some meals. Don’t worry, your ID card, which acts as your meal card and bus pass, may be used at all of the campus dining halls, as well as several coffee shops and the UCSC Inn.

The dining halls offer a wide selection of freshly prepared entrées, a soup and salad bar, beverages, and desserts. In addition to the regular meal program, several features contribute variety – and fun – to the dining hall atmosphere. Some features are special College Night entrées, frequent “specials,” vegetarian entrées, and “specialty bars.” Overall, the offerings are freshly prepared and well balanced. Nutritional information is available.

If you are just in the mood for a snack there are several coffee shops on campus., including our own College Eight Café. And, of course anything that can’t be found on campus is probably just a few minutes away in town. The University Food Service Adviser’s Program offers a unique opportunity for students to be involved in improving the quality of food service at UCSC. Each college has a residential student Food Service Adviser (FSA). The FSA is a liaison between University Dining managers, college administrators, and the Colleges and University Housing Services. You frequently see FSAs in the dining hall talking with students. They listen to what you have to say about dining service and help to resolve any immediate problems in the dining hall. On the basis of your comments and suggestions, they help to implement change. FSAs also maintain bulletin boards, post weekly menus and wellness information and announce special FSA activities. Get to know your FSA and feel free to contact her/him in the dining hall, at her/his room, through the college office, or leave a message at the designated bulletin board location.

Meal Plan Options and Requirements

Carefully select the meal plan option that you think best suits your needs. If you wish to alter your meal plan during the year, changes for the following quarter may be made online during the specified filing period.

Required Options for all Students in Residence Halls and First-Year Freshmen in Apartments

5-Day Meal Plan

• 5 days/week (Mon-Fri)
• 4 guest meals/quarter
• $150 Flexi Dollars/year

7-Day Meal Plan

• 7 days/week
• 4 guest meals/quarter
• $150 Flexi Dollars/year

Additional Option for Transfer Students Assigned to Apartments

(Minimum Requirement)

• 55 Meals Per Quarter Plan
  
• $150 Flexi Dollars/year
  
• Meals can be used by you or any guest during any meal period

For more information on meal plan options and requirements visit online at http://dining.ucsc.edu.