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Frequently Asked Questions - Meal Plans

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use my KU Cuisine meal plan?

Your KU Card is required for each transaction. All you need to do is present your KU Card for a meal swipe in the Residential Dining Centers or have your card scanned at any of the Campus Retail Dining Centers to use your KU Cuisine Cash or Beak Em Bucks.

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What if I'm not living in the University Housing?

That's okay. KU Cuisine Meal Plans are available to any KU student, faculty or staff member. All you need is an active KU Card.

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Where can I get more information on the signing up for a KU Cuisine Meal Plans?

Department of Student Housing in Corbin Residence Hall or www.kudining.com

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How long does it take after I fill out the application until I can use the KU Cuisine Meal Plan?

If you do not live in the University Housing, you may sign up for a KU Cuisine Meal Plan at the above-mentioned locations. It will be on system 2-3 business days after you turn in the application.

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What information do I need to sign up my son/daughter for a KU Cuisine Meal Plan?

In general, you will need the student's name and 16 digit number located on the front of their KU Card.

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What factors should I consider when choosing a meal plan?

  • Do you typically eat three meals daily (with snacks)?
  • Will you be away from campus most weekends?
  • Will you have a job that provides meals?
  • Will you be involved in extracurricular activities (sorority/fraternity, sports, or band)?
  • Will you have a job that provides meals?
Your responses determine the quantity of meals you would want through the year/semester. If you typically eat three meals a day and live too far from home to leave on weekends, then the 480/220 plan is your best value. If you plan to join a sorority/fraternity that also provides meals, you may want to select one of the lower plans.

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How can I change my KU Cuisine Meal Plan?

You may change your meal plans choice any time by coming to the Department of Student Housing located in the basement of Corbin Hall or sending an email to housing@ku.edu with your name, KU ID number and what meal plan you want. Fall semester deadline is September 5, 2008, 5:00 p.m. Spring semester deadline is January 31, 2009, 5:00 p.m.

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What happens to the Dining Center meals and Guest Passes at the end of the Fall semester?

The Dining Center meals and Guest Passes that remain at the end of the semester are forfeited.

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What happens to the KU Cuisine Cash at the end of the fall semester?

The KU Cuisine Cash balance that remains at the end of fall semester will roll over to spring semester with an active spring semester KU Cuisine Meal Plan. The other half of the KU Cuisine Cash will be added to the account at the beginning of Spring semester.

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What happens to the KU Cuisine Meal Plan at the end of the academic year?

All Dining Center Meals, KU Cuisine Cash, and Guest Passes are forfeited at the end of the academic year.

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What if my KU Cuisine Cash balance becomes low?

You may add money to your KU Card in your Beak 'Em Bucks account. Beak 'Em Bucks is a declining balance account that is automatically set up for you when the KU Card is issued. In order to use Beak 'Em Bucks, you need to add to the account. There are several options available: (1) on-line via the Kyou Portal at www.ku.edu under the  "Finances" tab, (2) selecting it through Optional Campus Fees at www.ku.edu/~options, or (3) at a campus cash-to-card machine. Beak 'Em Bucks can be used for food purchases, printing, photocopying, and laundry. For additional information, please contact the KU Card Center at (785) 864-5845 or kucard@ku.edu.

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How can I check my KU Cuisine Cash balance?

You may check your balance on the Kyou Portal under the Finance tab. Click on "View Your KU Card balance and history."

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What if my Dining Center Meals runs out before the end of the semester?

You may buy blocks of 10 meals for $74, you may use the KU Cuisine Cash or Beak Em Bucks, or you may pay cash at the Guest Price.

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What is a Meal Equivalency?

Meal Equivalencies are available at The Studio on the 2nd floor of Hashinger Hall, Oliver Dining and GSP Dining.

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What if I want to bring my family or friends to eat with me at the Residential Dining Centers (Mrs. E's, Oliver, and GSP)?

You may use a Guest Meal, KU Cuisine Cash or pay the guest meal price. KU Cuisine Cash is not charged tax at the Residential Dining Centers (Mrs. E's, Oliver, and GSP).

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Why can't I use the dining center meals to give my friends meals?

The University policy is that the KU Card is non-transferable. This includes the students' meal plan. Often students do not understand that their KU Card cannot be loaned to another student. The Guest Passes are included with the meal plan to provide opportunity to host a guest.

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What if I have an allergy (nut, dairy, etc.)/ What if I'm special dieting?

Contact Sheryl Kidwell, 785-864-4627. Due to allergies, doctor's orders, or religious reasons, a student may request a special diet. Special diets will be provided on an individual basis. It may be necessary to review the following week's menu with the student for preferences and/or counseling.

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What happens if I have lost my KU Card?

Report your KU Card lost or stolen as soon as possible. In the event this occurs, go to the Kyou Portal (login, click the Finance tab & then choose the "Report your KU Card lost or stolen" link) to deactivate your card. You may also go to the Card Center (M-F 8:00am - 4:00pm) or call 785-864-5845 to deactivate your card. The KU Cuisine Meal Plans will be secure since we have the ability to track every transaction if there is any misuse.

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Who do I contact if I have concerns about KU Dining Services?

For Residential Dining Centers, Mrs. E's, Oliver, GSP, The Studio, and O'zone contact Sheryl Kidwell, Assistant Director, at sherkid@ku.edu.

For the KU Memorial Union Dining Centers: The Underground, The Market, Crimson Cafe or the Hawk Stop (snack bars) contact Alecia Stultz, Assistant Director, at astultz@ku.edu.

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What if I have questions on my son or daughter's account?

In accordance with KU Student Records Policy, the Federal Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that students provide written authorization to the Bursar's Office before we can release financial information to anyone. We understand that many parents, spouses, or other individuals pay or need to discuss charges on a student's account. To assists students who want the Bursar's Office to communicate with other individuals, the student must complete and deliver the Financial Information Release form to the Bursar's Office. This form is available through this website www.bursar.ku.edu on the main page by selecting FORMS. The form is also available at the Bursar's Office reception desk in Carruth O'Leary, Room 20.

For general questions regarding KU Cuisine Meal Plan accounts, contact Karen Cross, Dining Access Coordinator, kcross@ku.edu.

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Who do I talk to if my card isn't working?

The general answer would be the KU Card Center located on the 4th floor of the Kansas Union. But, it depends on why it's not working. If the card is damaged (scratched or broken) the card holder will need to go to the KU Card Center (864-5845) located on the 4th floor of the Kansas Union to get a new card. There may be a $15 charge to replace the card.

The card may not "work" if the KU Cuisine Meal Plan has not been credited to the account. Remember, there is a 2-3 business day processing time after the application is turned in until the KU Cuisine is activated.

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What if I don't have my KU Card yet or the card is inactive because I'm not enrolled at the beginning of the semester?

Occasionally, students will move into the residence halls earlier than when they have had the opportunity to get their KU Card or get enrolled in classes. The meal plan contract begins the day after "move-in day", so this is a temporary solution to allow students to eat in the Dining Centers locations.

Cashiers at any of the Dining Center locations (Ekdahl "Mrs. E's" Dining Commons, Oliver Dining, and GSP Dining) will issue a temporary card after verifying the student has a KU Cuisine Meal Plan. The student will sign a Temporary Card Form to document which card the student has been assigned.

We encourage students to resolve their card issues as quickly as possible.

Important information:

  • This card has been issued for the student's convenience and is the student's responsibility. Since there is no photo, please keep it in a secure location. If the card is lost or stolen, you must report it to the Dining Access Coordinator at 864-7274.
  • The student will need to return the temporary card to a dining center cashier when the KU Card is activated or obtained.
  • The temporary card will be deactivated the first of the month (September in the fall and February in the spring.)
  • This card will substitute for the KU Card (dining center meals component only) until the KU Card is activated or obtained.
  • The student must have the temporary card to enter a residential dining center and may be used for dining center meals at the Mrs. E's and the Oliver and GSP Dining Centers, or at The Studio at Hashinger Hall or O'zone at Oliver Hall for meal equivalency.
  • The number of meals used on this card will be deducted from their KU Cuisine Meal Plan.
  • This card carries the same rules and policies as the KU Card regarding meal plan use. Meals are non-transferable; you may not host guests with this card.
  • The temporary card will not provide security access nor serve as your KU Card for any other campus activity.

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What if I don't have my KU Card at the Dining Centers during the year?

You will be asked to go get your card. If that is not possible, the cashier will give a Meal Pass.

Meal Pass Policy
Each meal pass will be written for two business days. This will allow you time to purchase a replacement KU Card. There will be a $5.00 charge for each meal pass.

To replace your KU Card, go to the KU Card Center, Kansas Union, Level 4, from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. Once you have purchased the replacement KU Card, the old one is invalidated by the KU Card Center and may no longer be used. There is a $15.00 replacement fee for the new card.

Important information:

  • Since the KU Card Center is open Monday through Friday, meal passes issued over the weekend will be written for extra days allowing the patron the two business days stated in the policy in which to obtain their replacement card.
  • Possession of a meal pass does not guarantee the holder meals. Availability of meals is based on the holder's current account balance.
  • Just like the lost KU Card they replace, a meal pass must be presented to the Cashier in order to obtain meals. If a meal pass is not presented or is lost, then patron will be issued the next sequential meal pass.
  • If you do not have your KU Card at the retail locations, you will need to use another form of payment.

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