Frequently Asked Questions

 Dining / Meal Plan

Residential students may choose and submit his/her meal plan choice through the Housing Portal.  There is also a page in the same portal for commuter students, faculty and staff to submit meal plan contracts.

Should the portal not be operational, the student, faculty or staff member may go to the auxiliary services website and print a copy of the current semester’s meal plan contract.  Once completed, he/she may email and scan the completed document as instructed on the form or fax it to 229-500-4892.
All students who reside in any Albany State University sponsored or managed housing, either on or off campus, are required to purchase a meal plan.  The type of meal plan is the choice of the student unless restrictions are indicated on the meal plan contract.

Commuter students are not required to purchase a meal plan, however, they are encouraged to purchase a commuter meal plan. They are convenient, flexible and offer options for dining on either campus.
Changes to the type of meal plan chosen may be submitted to the Meal Plan Office through the last day of Drop/Add as outlined on the Academic Calendar.  After that date, no changes may be made until the portal is open for the following semester.

Dining dollars are set up on your ASU ID cards as a declining balance account.  They may be used to make purchases at any dining facility on either campus, to include retail operations and the food truck. 

Dining dollars are one of the two components of the residential meal.  Students may purchase additional dining dollar plans throughout the semester. Any unused dining dollars remaining at the end of each semester are refunded within 30 days from the last day of the semester with the following exceptions. Unused dining dollars will be refunded if the balance is less than the incentive added to the plan but greater than $10.  Example:  purchased $150 but received $170.  Unused balance is $5.  There is no refund because the balance is less than $10.  Balance was $165 then refund would be $150.  The amount paid not including the added incentive.

Yes, students may access his/her meal plan on either campus in the dining hall or retail outlets. Dining Dollars may also be used on either campus.
It is possible that financial aid will be awarded in a sufficient amount to cover the cost of all tuition and fees to include the meal plan.  Please check with the financial aid office to be sure sufficient funds are available.  Should there not be sufficient funds to cover the balance due on the account, the student is responsible for paying the balance out of his/her pocket.
Meal plans are not activated until all fees due the university have been paid or financial aid has authorized sufficient funds to cover the balance due.  Confirmation of participation in the Nelnet payment plan provided the meal plan cost is included in the total amount set up in the plan will allow for meal plan activation.

To allow for students to make the necessary arrangements to pay the balance in full on his/her student account, there is a grace period of two weeks at the beginning of each semester where students are allowed to eat in the dining hall with a balance due.  After the two weeks, meal plans will be activated for only those students who have paid his/her account in full.
No, meal plans are per week or per semester and begin and end in the semester in which they were purchased.  Any unspent Dining Dollars remaining on the account at the end of each semester will be refunded to the student’s Banner account within 30 days of the last day of the semester.
No, there are no guest swipes in the board plan. Should you wish to bring a guest to lunch, you may use your dining dollars to pay for the meal or purchase a guest meal plan. (Refer to the Guest Meal Plan tab) All locations accept cash, credit and debit cards.

No, each meal plan allows for ONE swipe per person per meal plan serving period.  If you choose to swipe one lunch meal on the East campus and proceed to the West campus, you may not swipe another lunch meal.  If you swipe for lunch at 11:45 a.m., you cannot swipe for another lunch meal again at 1:30 p.m.  The serving period for lunch is 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The exception to this process is students who purchase the RAMS All Access meal plan may swipe multiple times during each meal plan serving period.  Swipes are for the student who purchased the meal plan and not for friends or guests.

Yes, both dining halls will observe the same operational hours.

East Campus

  • Chick-Fil-A, Student Center
  • Chilaca, Hall 3
  • Pizza Hut, Hall 6
  • Golden Espresso – We Proudly Brew Starbucks, Student Center

West Campus

  • RAMS Hideaway – We Proudly Brew Starbucks and Street Foods, Student Center

Both Campuses

    • Food Truck
Contact the Resident District Manager/General Manager of Dining Contractor at 229-500-2016.  In-house personnel and a Registered Dietitian will work with any student and health care provider to assist with managing a student’s food allergies and special dietary needs.
The dining program is focused on nutrition.  A Nutrition Alive program that meets the needs for healthier food options.  The Star Chef program, an interactive menu program, will focus on highlighting healthier options and provide the most current nutritional information for the daily menus. Menu options are available daily to meet vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and other dietary needs. 
    Contact the Auxiliary Services Coordinator at 229-500-2883 if there is an issue with utilizing board or dining dollar plans. If there is a technical issue with the RAM ID card, contact Card Services at 229-500-4001.

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