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Ball State University Dining
Carmichael Hall
Room 140
Muncie IN 47306
Phone: 765-285-1967
Fax: 765-285-3713
athome@bsu.edu

Hours: ADMIN OFFICE
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(Fall····Spring)
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(Summer)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money can I spend at each meal?

Good question. The amount you are allowed to spend at each meal period is, technically, called the "Meal Card Equivalency" (afterall, we are an institution of higher education and we want you to be educated!). If the selections that you make tally more than the allotted amount, you have options to pay for the difference.
Your cashier will ask you how you want to pay for any addition charges. Your transaction can be completed with Cardinal Ca$h, cash, a check, or Dining Plus. Some locations now accept debit and credit cards. They are Noyer Centre (The Retreat for lunch only), Bookmark Cafè in Bracken Library, and The Atrium in the Arts and Journalism Building.

Breakfast: $3.60
Lunch: $6.70
Dinner: $7.15

Where may I eat on campus?

Click here to learn about Dining's many locations and what each offers.

How do I use my meal card?

Your Ball State ID serves as your meal card. When purchasing items, simply present your card to the cashier to be swiped through an electronic card reader and you're on your way. Remember, you can only use the card once for each meal period as specified in your meal plan.

Breakfast is any swipe between 2:00 a.m. - 10:29:59 a.m.

Lunch is any swipe between 10:30:00 a.m. - 3:29:59 p.m.

Dinner is any swipe between 3:30:00 p.m. - 1:59:59 a.m.

What if I lose my ID?

Report your lost or stolen ID card to any dining service location. Once you've reported the lost card, the computer will be set to reject the use of the missing card. You will want to replace the card as soon as possible at the Bursar's Office. A $10 fee is charged for replacement cards.

What are the different meal plans and what do they cost?

Meal plans are designed to offer great value and healthy food choices for students. Students may choose from five meal plans which include the 21, Any 18+, Any 14+, and Any 10+ Value Meal Plans and the Ultimate Choice Meal Plan.

If you do not select a meal plan when signing a housing/dining contract, the Any 18+ Meal Plan will be assigned.

How do I pick a meal plan?

Choose the plan that best matches your schedule and dining preference. For example, if you're an athlete or someone who likes to eat three full meals a day, then the 21 Meal Plan may be a good choice. If you regularly skip one meal a day, then the Any 18+ or Any 14+ meal plans may be a better option. If you would like more information regarding choosing a plan, call the Administrative Office at 765-285-1967.

Can I change my meal plan?

Changing from one meal plan to another must be made in person at the Dining Administrative Office at CA 140, in writing or on the Meal Plan Change web site. Requests must be made on or before July 31 for the fall semester and on or before December 3 for the spring semester.

What if I miss a meal? Do I get a refund?

The value meal plans incorporate a missed meal factor into the price, which allows us to offer the plans to students at a discount. To maximize your meal plan on those days that you know you will miss a meal period, use a sack meal form www.bsu.edu/sackmeal or use your meal card to buy snacks or convenience (frozen or prepackaged) foods to eat later.

What are the hours for meals at BSU?

Because your meal card swipe is recorded in a database, the following times are the meal periods:

Breakfast 2:00 a.m. - 10:29 a.m.
Lunch 10:30 a.m. - 3:29 p.m.
Dinner 3:30 p.m. - 1:59 a.m.

Anytime you swipe your card and do not indicate to the cashier that it is a Cardinal Ca$h or Dining Plus transaction, the database will record your transaction as a meal. (This means that if you only purchase a soft drink, the database will think that is what you are having for a meal...it's a database!! scheesh!!)

Be careful around the times when meal plans change. If you have breakfast items on your tray and the clock clicks over to 10:30 a.m., the database will record your swipe as lunch.

The good news -- cashiers are NOT databases, they are people who are ready and willing to swipe your card and make sure that your bacon-egg-cheese biscuit is a breakfast and not a lunch. Just ask and they can make sure that the right meal was taken from your dining plan and if not, we'll get it fixed!

Clear as mud?? Ask a cashier, and if you still need more info, call 285-1967 and ask any friendly person about meal card times.

How does Dining keep track of the number of meals I've eaten each week?

Each time you swipe your meal card, a computer program tracks how many meals you've used as well as how many are left for the week. For Dining Services, a "week" begins with breakfast on Sunday and ends with dinner the following Saturday.

Why am I running out of meals on Saturday?

It's Saturday lunch and your meal card says "no more meals available"...what's up?? It's pretty simple. In Dining, our week begins on Sunday at 2:00 a.m. That means that any meals you have left on Saturday night are cleared and on Sunday morning your meal plan resets with the number of meals that you have selected. So your "Any 10+ plan" will be reset to 10 meals on Sunday morning or "Any 18+ plan" will reset to 18 meals.

If you have questions or think you have the wrong plan, call 285-1967 and get more details.

What happens if I'm too sick to come and eat?

If you are too ill to eat at one of the Dining locations, contact your residence hall director or RA to make arrangements for a sack meal. All that is needed is a valid Ball State ID and a fellow student to pick up the meal. You may order your sack meal on line also. In the comments field, just indicate who will be picking up your meal for you. www.bsu.edu/sackmeal

I have a food allergy. What foods can I safely eat?

If you have a specific dietary need (i.e., lactose intolerant, diabetic, food allergy) we will be glad to work with you to accommodate your needs. For more information, contact Dining at 765-285-1967.

Unanswered questions

If you have questions that are not answered on this web site, please send an e-mail message to athome@bsu.edu or call the Dining Administrative Office at 765-285-1967.