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University of Cincinnati Dining and Meal Plans

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Eat Your Way: How You Want, Where You Want

University of Cincinnati Food Services provides a wide variety of tasty, convenient and flexible options across the campuses. Healthy choices, from home-style to international dishes and everything in-between, all to please a diverse campus community. We serve nearly 2.5 million meals a year, and strive to support all taste preferences, schedules, and budgets.

Dining Pass Information

The Fine Print

• ALL first-year students with a University Housing Agreement must purchase the All-Access Meal Plan and are not eligible to purchase a Campus Dining Pass plan.
• Campus Dining Pass plans cannot be changed or cancelled after the first day of meal service. To change your meal plan, please complete a Meal Plan Change Request. Requests may be granted based on eligibility and deadlines.

To purchase a Meal Plan, click HERE.

FAQs

The Basics

Where can I use my meal plan?

You can use your meal plan swipes at one of our all-you-care-to-eat dining centers: MarketPointe, CenterCourt, Stadium View Café, and On the Green (OTG). Bearcats Café, Cincy Grill, DAAP Café, Campus View Cafe, and Bleeker Street Café (located on the UC Blue Ash campus) also accept meal plan swipes.

When does my meal plan start?

Fall Semester meal plans are active on the first day of Residence Hall move-in. Spring and summer semester meal plans are active on the first day of classes. If you purchase a meal plan after meal plan service has started, it may take up to 48 hours to load to your Bearcat Card.

Can I change my meal plan?

First Year Residential Students

First Year residential students are required to purchase the All-Access Meal Plan and are not eligible to request a meal plan change. This requirement is included in the terms & conditions of the Housing Agreement. If you have questions about your plan, please contact ucfood@uc.edu.

If you are a first-year student with special circumstances that affect your use of the dining centers, you may be eligible to complete a petition request. Petitions to be released from the Meal Plan must be received by the Housing Office by the dates specified in the Housing Agreement to be considered for the following semesters. Release from the meal plan is considered for financial and dietary concerns. Dietary issues include medical or religious concerns. The Medical Documentation form included in the petition packet must be completed and submitted by your physician. Other release requests with appropriate documentation will be considered on an individual basis.

Upper-class and Commuter Students

Students who are eligible to purchase a Campus Dining Pass plan and would like to request a change to their plan can complete the meal plan change request form. The deadline to request a change is the first day of meal plan service.

How does meal exchange work?

Students with a meal plan can use swipes for meal exchange items at DAAP Café and Catskeller, once per meal period (e.g., breakfast, lunch, & dinner). Swipes are accepted as payment at DAAP Café until 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and until 5 p.m. on Friday. Catskeller accepts meal swipes until 2 p.m. Monday-Friday.

What if I have special dietary needs?

Please contact us at 513-556-6461 or UCFood@uc.edu if you have a special dietary need that you would like to discuss with our staff.

What if I have more questions?

Please call 513-556-6461 or email UCFood@uc.edu.

Am I required to have a meal plan? If so, why?

All first-year students with a university housing agreement are required to purchase a residential meal plan.

Participation in the meal plan is an important part of the support system provided by living on campus. It is one element that enhances the academic efforts and social adjustment of new students and provides health and convenience benefits to all students.

Upper-class students and first year students that are commuters can choose to purchase a Residential Meal Plan or a Campus Dining Pass plan. They are not required to purchase a plan; however, they must adhere to all meal plan change/cancellation policies once a plan is purchased.

If I don't live in on-campus housing, can I still get a meal plan?

YES! We offer the Campus Dining Pass to upper-class students living in the residence halls, commuting students, faculty, and staff. These plans offer a great value with combinations of all-you-care-to-eat meals and Bearcat Card dollars.

For more information about Meal Plans, Bearcat Card Dollars, Dining Locations, etc., please visit the Food Services website.