Santa Clara University

Dining Plan

If I live in the Residence Halls or Apartments, do I have to have a dining plan?
When do I sign up for a dining plan?
What if I want to change my dining plan?
How many meals per week am I guaranteed?
What is a declining balance plan?
Oh dear. Something else for me to keep track of.
Are Resident Dining Plan Points considered to be actual money?
Do I get a refund if I can’t spend all my Resident Dining Plan Points?
What happens to my Resident Dining Plan Points at the end of the quarter?
What if I run out of Resident Dining Points?
Although I started the fall as a sophomore, I’ve completed enough courses this spring to become a junior.
Can I change my plan to the Junior/Senior Plan?
My parents live nearby and I go home a lot on weekends. Can I get a Junior/Senior
I have special dietary needs. Who should I see?
I’m a vegetarian. What options do you have for me?

Facilities

Who do I call when there is a maintenance emergency?
I live in a residence hall – who do I contact to obtain maintenance or repair services?
Who cleans my building and how often is it scheduled?
Who replaces burned out lights?
Who do I call about pest control?
How do I get the status of a service request?
I lost my keys. What do I do?
If I have concerns with the custodial service being provided in my area, what can I do?
Who do I contact with questions regarding Transportation and Parking?

 

Dining Plan Questions

Q: If I live in the Residence Halls or Apartments, do I have to have a dining plan?

Yes. For freshmen and sophomores, shared dining is an important way to make connections and build community. For juniors and seniors, dining plans offer a convenient and flexible approach to their dining needs. Apartment residents will find a dining plan offers an easy way to pay for RLC catered events, or to purchase snacks on campus.

Q. When do I sign up for a dining plan?

New students choose a dining plan beginning March 1 as part their RLC/Housing Preference Form. Returning students choose a dining plan as part of their housing selection beginning March 1. Students requesting to live in apartments on campus will choose a dining plan when submitting their RLC/Housing Preference Form. Current sophomores and juniors living off campus who are interested in on campus housing please contact the Housing and Residence Life Office at (408) 554-4900, or via e-mail.

Q. What if I want to change my dining plan?

Once the quarter starts, you cannot change your dining plan. The Offices of Housing & Residence Life have Resident Dining Plan Change Request Forms and the change period schedule. There is no charge to change your plan.

Q. How many meals per week am I guaranteed?

None of the plans are a "guarantee" of any specific number of meals. The plans are declining balance plans in which you pay for what you choose.

Q. What is a declining balance plan?

A declining balance plan works like a debit card: You start each quarter with a preset number of dining points. Each time you purchase a food item, your balance will be decreased by the amount of your purchase.

Q. Oh dear. Something else for me to keep track of.

Don’t worry. We make it easy for you to track your balance. At each point-of-sale register you’ll find a "Pace-yourself" chart showing approximately what your balance should be for each week of the quarter. You can check your balance at any register, at the Value Transfer Stations in Benson (ACCESS Card Office) or Orradre Library, or on the Access card Web site. That way, you can make sure your spending is on pace and that you don’t run out of points.

Q. Are Resident Dining Plan Points considered to be actual money?

Resident Dining Points are not real money. They are a method of assigning values for the different dining plan options.

Q. Do I get a refund if I can’t spend all my Resident Dining Plan Points?

There are no cash refunds for unspent points.

Q. What happens to my Resident Dining Plan Points at the end of the quarter?

At the end of the Fall quarter, if you remain in residency, up to 65 points will transfer to your beginning balance for the Winter quarter. Same for Winter to Spring quarter. At the end of the Spring quarter, however, any unspent points will not carry over and will be forfeited.

Q. What if I run out of Resident Dining Points?

You can always add Resident Dining Plus Points, at any time, and in any amount.

(Purchases of $50 of more can be charged to your student account.) These are a great value: You save 8.25% (sales tax isn’t charged) and Dining Plus points are good for as long as you are enrolled at Santa Clara University.

Q. Although I started the fall as a sophomore, I’ve completed enough courses this spring to become a junior. Can I change my plan to the Junior/Senior Plan?

No. The Junior/ Senior Plan is available for those beginning their third or fourth collegiate year at the start of their contract period.

Q. My parents live nearby and I go home a lot on weekends. Can I get a Junior/Senior Plan?

Only those beginning their third or fourth collegiate year at the start of their contract period may choose the Junior/Senior Plan.

Q. I have special dietary needs. Who should I see?

Talk to a Bon Appetit manager if you have medical or dietary restrictions. Everything possible will be done to meet your special needs.

Q. I’m a vegetarian. What options do you have for me?

Lots! Every venue operated by Bon Appetit offers vegetarian options. Market Square even has a station, Verde, that features vegetarian fare exclusively. Sandwiches, soups, pastas, burritos, salads, bowls, cooked-to-order meals – all are offered as vegetarian choices. And don’t forget Jump Start, with super-healthy smoothies and wraps that are perfect for those who seek vegetarian options.

Dining Services at Santa Clara University are proudly brought to you by Bon Appetit. We are proud to share that your food is prepared by employees who are paid in accordance with the guidelines for a living wage as established by the City of San Jose.

Facilities Questions

Q. Who do I call when there is a maintenance emergency?

During office hours (Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm ) please call Housing at 408-554-4900. After 5:00 pm or on weekends notify your Community Facilitator on Duty.

Q. I live in a residence hall – who do I contact to obtain maintenance or repair services?

All service requests for repairs or maintenance in residence halls should be submitted online via ecampus.  Click here for instructions.

Q. Who cleans my building and how often is it scheduled?

The University has a janitorial contract with Able Building Maintenance. Custodial staff is assigned to each residence hall on campus. Residence halls are cleaned during the day 7 days a week. Common areas only are cleaned in these buildings.

Q. Who replaces burned out lights?

If you have a bulb that needs replaced, please submit a maintenance request online through Ecampus. Click here for instructions. If you are completely in the dark, please call the Housing Office during business hours or notify your CF on duty.

Q. Who do I call about pest control?

If you are experiencing an infestation of insects/pests, please notify your Resident Director as soon as possible. We have a contracted pest control expert on call and service will be scheduled as soon as the maintenance request is received.

Q. How do I get the status of a service request?

If you have a question about the status of your maintenance request, please feel free to email housingfacilities@scu.edu. Please make sure to include your building and room number in the request.

Q. I lost my keys. What do I do?

If you have lost your keys, come to the Housing to submit a lock change request. A fee is assessed through your student account for lost keys. A temporary key will be issued to you until your lock is changed. For problems relating to card key access, contact the Housing Office to verify your privileges. If the card is damaged, you will need to stop by the Access card office to retrieve a new card. If it is the card reader that is not working, contact Housing to submit a service request.

Q. If I have concerns with the custodial service being provided in my area, what can I do?

Notify your CF or RD.

Q. Who do I contact with questions regarding Transportation & Parking?

Questions about Transportation & Parking should be directed to Campus Safety.