We’ve put together a list of some common questions students have about dining on campus. If the questions you have are not on this list, you can always reach out to us either through email or on social media.
Questions about our new meal plans
What’s new about these meal plans?
We heard you! You asked for meal plans with more flexibility and more dining points. We’ve added more dining points to all of our plans and open access plans that allow you to visit the dining halls as often as you’d like without the need to keep track of meals.
What about “the hack?
With the elimination of the 250-plan and 350-plan, the hack is no longer necessary. We recognized that this method was popular because students would receive more dining points, so we added more dining points to all our new plans.
What does “unlimited access” mean?
OPEN ACCESS + and OPEN ACCESS meal plan holders can enjoy a meal with us as many times as they wish! They can enter the dining hall multiple times a day, or even multiple times per meal.
Is there still a Kosher Plan?
Yes! The Kosher plan includes access to our all-you-care-to-enjoy dining halls, as well as Shabbat meals, Passover Seders, and other festive meals, served at our Kosher dining hall, Granby Commons. All this plus $350 dining points per semester!
What Meal Plans Can I Choose From?
If you are assigned to a dormitory-style residence, you’re required to choose one of the four residential dining plans (OPEN ACCESS +, OPEN ACCESS, WEEKLY 10 or KOSHER). If you do not choose a meal plan, and you are required to have one, you will be assigned to the OPEN ACCESS plan. Each dining plan is designed to meet a variety of tastes and schedules. Each plan includes a combination of meals (to be used in the all-you-care-to-enjoy dining rooms) and Dining Points (to be used at on-campus eateries and City Convenience store locations) and Guest Meals.
If you are assigned to a dormitory-style residence and don’t select a dining plan, you will be assigned to the OPEN ACCESS Plan. If you are assigned to an on-campus, apartment-style residence, you are not automatically assigned to a dining plan, but you may choose from any of the dining plans above or three Campus Connector Plans.
Are There Meal Plans for Students Living in Apartments or Off-Campus?
Yes! In addition, to our OPEN ACCESS and WEEKLY plans, we also offer 3 CAMPUS CONNECTOR Meal Plans for non-resident and commuter students that provide the flexibility to visit our dining halls and our retail locations. All of these options are available to review on the Student Link.
Which Plan Should I Choose?
No matter which meal plan you choose, you’ll eat well! Choosing a meal plan may seem daunting, but there are no wrong options. The best advice when deciding on a plan is to consider how many meals you’ll be eating in the all-you-care-to-enjoy dining rooms each week. If it is more than 10, our OPEN ACCESS or OPEN ACCESS + plan would be best. You’ll also want to think about your academic and social schedule. A comparison of our plans can be found here.
And don’t worry – students will have the first two weeks each semester to change their plan and can do it easily on the Student Link.
Questions about Spring 2023 meal plans
How do I sign up for a meal plan?
Students who are currently enrolled in classes can select a meal plan by visiting the Student Link and selecting “Add or Change your Dining Plan.” Students who are currently enrolled in classes and live in apartment-style residences on or off-campus are eligible to purchase an Apartment Plan. Students are able to sign up through the Student Link, under the Food & Shelter tab, by clicking “Add or Change your Dining Plan.”
How do I change my meal plan?
Dining plan changes can be made by visiting the Student Link and selecting “Add or Change your Dining Plan.” The deadline for changing dining plans is Thursday, February 9, 2023. If you live off campus or in an on-campus, apartment-style residence and you chose a dining plan or apartment plan, please refer to your plan agreement for policies regarding changes and cancellations. Since each plan has varying amounts of meals and points, additional costs may be incurred if meal and/or point usage is greater than expected levels at the time of the change. For more information, contact the Terrier Card Office at 617-353-9966 or tco@bu.edu.
What Meal Plans Can I Choose From?
What Meal Plans Can I Choose From?
Are There Meal Plans for Students Living in Apartments or Off-Campus?
Yes! Students in apartment-style or off-campus housing have the option of choosing one of the traditional meal plans, an apartment plan, or a Convenience Points plan. All of these options are available to review on the Student Link.
Which Plan Should I Choose?
No matter which meal plan you choose, you’ll eat well! Choosing a meal plan may seem daunting, but there are no wrong options. The best advice when deciding on a plan is to consider how many meals you’ll be eating in the all-you-care-to-eat dining rooms each week. You’ll also want to think about your academic and social schedule. And don’t worry – students have the first four weeks each semester to change their plan and can do it easily on the Student Link
What are Dining Points?
Dining Points are dollars stored on your Terrier Card; 1 point = 1 dollar. They are a part of each meal plan and can be used to purchase meals at on-campus eateries through the Grubhub Campus app or for food purchases at City Convenience stores.
What are Convenience Points?
Convenience Points are dollars stored on your Terrier Card. They are separate from meal plans and not the same thing as Dining Points. In addition to dining locations, Convenience Points can be used for a variety of transactions such as vending or laundry services. Convenience Points can be added using the Student Link or added by using a credit card on the Get the Point page.
How Do I Pay for My Meal?
Dining Points, Convenience Points, and Meal Swipes are the preferred contact-less payment methods. Students can easily tap their Terrier ID card to enter residence dining rooms and one meal will automatically be deducted from your meal plan. Guests can download and set-up their Grubhub Campus Dining account from a mobile device to conveniently order and pay for meals at all on campus eateries.
What Happens to My Un-used Meals or Points?
If you are on the 300 or 250 plan or an apartment plan, your meal balance will carry over from the fall semester to the spring semester. For all plans, your Dining Points balance will carry over from the fall semester to the spring semester. At the end of the academic year there is no credit issued for unused meals, so please plan accordingly. All Dining Points balances over $10 will be credited to your account for half of their value.
Can I Change My Meal Plan?
Beginning on January 3, 2023 dining plan changes can be made by visiting the Student Link and selecting “Add or Change your Dining Plan.” The deadline for changing dining plans is Thursday, February 9, 2023. If you live off campus or in an on-campus, apartment-style residence and you chose a dining plan or apartment plan, please refer to your plan agreement for policies regarding changes and cancellations. Since each plan has varying amounts of meals and points, additional costs may be incurred if meal and/or point usage is greater than expected levels at the time of the change. For more information contact the Terrier Card Office at 617-353-9966 or tco@bu.edu.
Do I Have To Have a Meal Plan?
All students living in dormitory-style, on-campus housing are required to be on a meal plan.
Are There Gluten-Free Meals on Campus?
The Fresh Food Co. at Marciano Commons and the Fresh Food Co. at Warren Towers operate a gluten-free kitchen daily for lunch and dinner. The Fresh Food Co. at West Campus has a gluten-free ingredients station. All three of these dining rooms have gluten-free pantries that offer students a wide selection of gluten-free products anytime the dining hall is open. If you have an allergen, or would like to gain access to the gluten-free pantry, please contact the Sargent Choice Nutrition Center for a consultation.
Are There Plant-Based Meals Available?
Yes! Every dining room has a dedicated vegan station at every meal. As part of the menu rotation you’ll find different options throughout the day so what you see for dinner will be different than what you had for lunch. The vegan stations include create-your-own vegan stir fry with a multitude of different combinations to choose from. Fresh Fuel @ Granby Commons, located at 213 Bay State Road, is welcoming to all and offers two kitchens, one that is kosher and one that is vegan. The majority of items on our residence dining room menus are vegetarian-friendly. We offer vegan entrees, snacks, and dessert options in all of our dining rooms. You’ll find vegan selections at at variety of on campus dining locations across campus. Look for the green vegan logo and the brown vegetarian logo on menus and grab and go offerings. For more details about vegan and vegetarian dining, click here.
Are There Kosher Dining Meals Available?
Yes! At 213 Bay State Road, you’ll find Fresh Fuel @ Granby Commons located on the 3rd floor. Here you will find a kosher and vegan menu served for lunch and dinner, plus Shabbat Dinners on Friday night and High Holiday celebrations as well.
Does BU Dining Have Late Night Locations?
We have many dining locations that are open late including Late Nite Café at Warren Towers, Late Nite Café at West Campus, and even Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. You can always find what is open now on our website. We also partner with Domino’s Pizza so you can use points to order delivery until 3 am.
Can I Order a Meal From the Dining Room to Pick-Up?
Our Rhetty To Go program is just what you need when you don’t have time to make it to the dining hall. You can place an order well in advance and select the time and location you’d like to pick it up. Options include breakfast, lunch, and dinner with sandwiches, salads, and entrees. There are even kosher, vegan, and gluten-free Rhetty To Go options.
Are There Fun Experiences in the Dining Rooms?
Starting with Lobster Night in September, you’ll find plenty of fun and quirky dining experiences celebrating culinary creations from around the world. From National Cookie Day to Spicy Guacamole Day, there is a “food holiday” for everyone! Be sure to keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook to be the first to find out about our experiences.
My Group/Club Wants to Collaborate with BU Dining, Is This Possible?
We are always looking to partner with a student club or group. We find this a great way to promote clubs and share experiences with the campus community. If you are interested in hosting a dining experience with us, contact us, including a brief description of your idea and potential dates, and we will get back to you.
May I bring a Guest into the Dining Rooms?
Yes! The University has reinstated the original Guest Policy to allow students to bring visitors into our dining halls. All visitors and guests are required to abide by our visitor policy, which strongly encourages vaccination as well as adherence to Boston University masking policies. A green badge will no longer be required to enter student residence and dining halls as of February 21st.
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