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Logo:  Dining Services
Banner:  Dining Plan FAQ

Dining Plan FAQ

UC San Diego Dining Services—we’re here to plan, cook, and clean… so you can concentrate on college!

IMPORTANT: You are responsible for making sure you understand your Housing and Dining contract. Please read this information carefully; if you have any questions you may contact Triton Card Accounts Services at 858.534.7587 or Housing Administrative Services at 858.534.4010.

  • How It Works
  • Usage Guidelines
  • Adding Dining Dollars
  • Early Termination
  • Lost Card
  • Sick Tray Pass
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Resident Controlled Dining Dollar Transfers

How it Works

It is not meant to be a 3-squares a day program; you should have the freedom of being able to explore off-campus, or go away for an occasional weekend! Here’s how it works:

You have a set amount of Dollars to spend as you see fit throughout the year.

  • Are you generally a light eater? Grab coffee, smoothies, or an organic snack at your local Place & Market.
  • Does your appetite vary? You have the option to grab a simple bagel or nosh on a full meal depending on your hunger level.
  • Maybe you’re an athlete, or just like 3 squares a day. Keep track of your spending, and purchase more Dining Dollars when you’re running low!

Dining Dollars are linked to your campus ID card, and can be used in all UC San Diego Dining Services restaurants and markets. Each purchase is automatically deducted from your account balance- just like a bank debit card (your balance can easily be checked at the Online Card Office!).

Dining Dollar Usage Guideline (broken down by quarter*)

2011-2012

 Total PlanFallWinterSpring
ResHall29081034.23936.88936.89
Apartment/Village2228792.38717.81717.81

2012-2013

 Total PlanFallWinterSpring
ResHall29501049950950
Apartment/Village2260803728728

*Academic quarters listed are prorated by number of days.

Adding Dining Dollars

Residents have a couple of options to add Dining Dollars to their plan throughout the year.

  • “Buying Up”
    This option is only available before the school year begins. Residents will receive an email from Housing describing this option; it usually arrives in late August. Advantages include a payment plan that is not available throughout the rest of the year.
  • Donations
    Residents are allowed to donate Dining Dollars to another resident during Spring Quarter only. Restrictions apply; contact Triton Card Accounts Services for more information.
  • Add Dining Dollars
    Buy more Dining Dollars later in the year when your plan runs low. This will give you an idea of your eating habits before you add funds to your plan. You will receive 10 BONUS DOLLARS for every 100 Dollars you deposit.

    Already have an account? Add Dining Dollars now.

Please note that Dining Dollars expire at the end of spring quarter, are non-refundable, non-transferable to Triton Cash, and do not carry over to the next academic year.

Important Information Regarding Early Termination of Housing Contract and Dining Dollar Usage

In unique circumstances, such as:

  • withdrawal
  • academic disqualification
  • cancelled enrollment due to non-payment
  • Housing contract delinquency
  • participation in a Study Abroad program

students may need to terminate their Housing contract. Prior to cancellation, it is important that you understand the Dining Dollar proration policy and your financial responsibility for over-usage.

You may contact Triton Card Account Services at any time to check the status of your Dining Dollar Account and to discuss the financial impact of contract termination.

Examples:

Student A is paying for her Housing/Dining contract on a quarterly basis. However, by the end of Fall quarter she is not doing well in her studies and may need to withdraw from the University. Even though she has only paid for one quarter of her Housing contract so far, she has spent approximately 2000 Dining Dollars—two quarters worth of funds. When she withdrawals, she will still owe the University for that second quarter’s worth of Dining Dollars.

Student B paid for his entire Housing contract before he moved in. After Winter quarter he decides he’s going to study abroad. He has only used 2000 Dining Dollars, but because he needs to terminate his Housing contract—and because he paid for his entire plan upfront—the University will refund him the amount of unused Dining Dollars.

I Lost my Campus ID Card

Keeping your Campus Card safe is your responsibility. If it is lost or stolen, contact the Triton Card Account Services immediately at 858.534.7587 or go to the Online Card Office to report it missing. Your account will be frozen to prevent unauthorized use. IMPORTANT: You may be liable for purchases made before your account is frozen, so please act quickly. Telephone notification must be confirmed promptly by the account holder in person or in writing.

With a valid photo ID (like a driver's license), Triton Card Account Services will issue you a temporary card for a week to access your Dining Plan and Triton Cash. If your Campus Card is still missing, you'll need to purchase a new one at the SBS (Student Billing Services) Office.

Can my friend purchase a meal for me with my Dining Dollars?

You are the only person authorized to use your Dining Plan or Triton Cash Account. Your college Residential Life Office may discipline you for using another person's account.

If you are ill and unable to go into a restaurant to get food, please contact your college Residential Life Office for a sick tray pass. A friend can pick it up for you and your Dining Plan will be debited for the purchase.

Terms and conditions I agree to by using the Dining Plan

All customers are expected to display proper, decent behavior in Dining Services facilities. Food throwing, hitting, biting, scratching, indecent exposure, excessive or loud vulgarity, etc. is absolutely unacceptable. The individual Dining Services restaurant or the College may discipline you for such actions.

Resident Controlled Dining Dollar Transfers

This program provides students with the option of transferring Dining Dollars between their accounts.

How It Works:

Students who want to transfer Dining Dollars between their accounts must BOTH come to the Dining Plan Office, located in the Housing • Dining • Hospitality Services building, during business hours (M-F 8 am to 4:30 pm) to complete the proper authorization form.

A student can then transfer his/her Dining Dollars to the other student’s account. The donor is required to leave the budget calendar amount for spring quarter in their account based on the week they visit the office. Please refer to the budget calendar for the residence they live in: Res Hall, Apartment or The Village. The transaction is instantaneous.

Donations expire at the end of the academic year.

As Part Of This Program, HDH will:

  • track all transactions
  • track all inquiries (questions, complaints, concerns, suggestions)
  • generate a usage report upon completion of the program

Important: Dining Dollar transfers must be made by Saturday, June 9. All Dining Dollars expire at the end of the academic year.

Ready to get started? Sign-up today.

Need more information, or have questions? Contact the Dining Dollars office at 858.534.7587.

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