Meal Plan Policies & Procedures

Table of Contents

01. Policy Statement………………………………………………………………..…Page 2

02. Explanation of Policy and Procedure……………………………..………….…Page 2

03. Meal Plan Structures…………………………………………………..…….……Page 2

04. Commuter & Part-time Students ……………………………………….…….…Page 4

05. Meal Plan Upgrades…………………………………………..……………….…Page 4

06. Voluntary (Dawg) Dollars ………………………..………………………………Page 4

07. Meal Plan Reduction/Exemptions………..……..…………………………….…Page 5

08. Responsibilities of Students Seeking Medical or Religious Exemptions…....Page 7

09. Responsibilities of Students Seeking an Exemption……………….………….Page 7

10. Meal Plan Waiver Approvals…......................................................................Page 7

01. Policy Statement

All resident and full-time commuter undergraduate students at Pace University are

required to have a meal plan. Resident graduate students are also required to have a

meal plan. The meal plan begins on move-in day each fall and spring and concludes on

the last day of scheduled finals. All meal plans are downloaded to the students account

once their account has been satisfied with the Office of Student Accounts (OSA).

02. Explanation of Policy and Procedures

Declining Balance Meal Plans are loaded into student accounts in August and January

for the fall and spring semesters, respectively. Meal Exchange Meal Swipes are loaded

weekly on Sundays. Both meal plan programs are added prior to move-in day. Students’

accounts must be satisfied prior to the meal plan being downloaded to ensure there is

no interruption of available funds and meal plan usage.

Students are not permitted to cook in the rooms due to local fire and safety ordinances.

Cooking is only allowed in the designated full kitchen areas located in each resident

hall.

03. Meal Plan Structures

Effective as of the 2023-2024 academic year, all incoming freshmen resident students

will take part in the Meal Exchange Program. Incoming resident students cannot opt-out

of the Meal Exchange Program until their second academic year at the university.

Returning students and transfer students with 32 credits or more (Sophomores, Juniors,

Seniors, and resident graduate students) will have Declining Balance Meal Plans as the

default meal plan structure. Returning students can choose to opt-in to the Meal

Exchange Program.

a. Meal Exchange Program

Meal Exchange Program is a dining program where a preset amount of meal swipes per

week are added onto student’s PACE One Card. Meal swipes are loaded every week

(while school is in session) until the last week of scheduled finals. Meal swipes may only

be used at on-campus dining locations where meal swipes are accepted. Learn

more about meal plan swipes.

Meal swipes cannot be advanced or given before the preset weekly reload day. No

more than 30 meal swipes can rollover within a semester. After the student has

accumulated a total of 30 meal swipes the overage must be used by the following

reload day or they will be forfeited. All meal swipes must be used by the end of the Fall

and Spring semesters. Unused meal swipes will be forfeited. Dining Points and Flex

Dollars are also included in Meal Exchange Program Plans. Dining Points and Flex

Dollars rollover for the current academic year and must be used by the end of the

Spring semesters.

Dining Points and Flex Dollars are nontransferable and cannot be converted to meal

swipes. Meal swipes are also nontransferable and cannot be converted to dining points

or flex dollars. Meal plan balances are non-refundable, nontransferable, and unused

funds will be forfeited.

b. Declining Balance Meal Plan Program

All returning full-time resident and commuter undergraduate students and Resident

graduate students will have one of the Declining Balance Meal Plans as the default

meal plan structure. The meal plan options for returning students will remain the same.

The meal plan begins on move-in day each fall and spring and concludes on the last

day of scheduled finals. Meal plan balances are non-refundable, nontransferable, and

unused funds will be forfeited. For students enrolled prior to July 1, 2021, the meal plan

balances will continue to roll over until graduating or leaving the university, phasing out

with the graduating class of 2024.

c. Returning Students Opt-in to Meal Exchange Program

Returning students can choose to opt-in to the Meal Exchange Program. Students must

submit an Opt-in Meal Exchange Program Form by the end of the third week of the start

of the semester. No mid-semester Meal Plan Program changes are allowed. Returning

students can choose to revert to a Declining Balance Meal Plan the following semester

by submitting an Opt-out Meal Exchange Program Form. All forms must be submitted

by the end of the third week of the start of the semester. No mid-semester Meal Plan

Program changes are allowed.

04. Commuter & Part-time Students

Commuter Students

All full-time, incoming and returning undergraduate commuter students are

automatically enrolled in a mandatory commuter meal plan. Commuters will use

Declining Balance Meal Plans only. This plan is designed to offer students the

convenience of eating while on campus. Full-time commuter students can choose to

convert to the Commuter Meal Exchange Plan by submitting a Meal Plan Upgrade Form

by the end of the third week of the semester.

Part-time Students

Students taking less than 12 credits are considered part-time. Part-time commuter

students are not required to have a meal plan. However, part-time students can choose

to add a meal plan to their account by submitting a Meal Plan Upgrade Form.

05. Meal Plan Upgrades

Various meal plans levels are available. Students may choose to upgrade their meal

plan starting at their default meal plan, during the room selection process conducted by

Residential Life. Meal Plan options and associated costs are listed on room contracts or

Online the Meal Plans and Buy Up Plans (PDF). Optional meal plan upgrades may also

be requested using the Meal Plan Upgrade Form which must be submitted online by the

end of the third week of the start of the semester or through the MyHousing link in the

MyPace Portal. MYHousing upgrades can only be before the 1st week of school.

06. Voluntary (Dawg) Dollars

Voluntary (Dawg) Dollars are funds that are not originally a part of a meal plan that a

student can add as a supplement. Voluntary Dollars work the same as Flex Dollars. All

additional funds added by students are considered Dawg Dollars. Voluntary (Dawg)

Dollars are accepted at all on-campus and off-campus partner locations. Unused

voluntary dollars can be refunded at the student’s request. Voluntary dollars do not

expire and rollover until the student graduates. Students may add Dawg Dollars at any

time throughout the semester. To add Dawg Dollars to your account, use the Pace

mobile app, visit Student Accounts, add funds online via credit card or check.

07. Meal Plan Reduction/Exemptions

Meal Plan Reductions/Exemptions must be submitted by the end of the third week of

the start of the semester or unless mid-semester medical changes. Students must

reapply each semester unless otherwise stated. Students who have a medical condition

or religious dietary restrictions must request an exemption. Students who are fully

remote, studying aboard, or have an excessive balance can also apply for a Meal Plan

Reduction or Exemption.

All forms can be found on the Meal Plan Forms page the Auxiliary Services webpage.

a. Religious

Students whose religious practices prohibit them from participation in the minimal

University meal plan can request a meal plan exemption. Meal Plan Exemption-

Religious Purpose Form must be submitted by the end of the third week of the start of

the semester. Students must provide a signed letter on original letter head from an

authorized religious official of a recognized religion providing the specific religious

restrictions, as it pertains to dietary needs. The letter is to contain the name of student,

religion and to be addressed to Pace University. Students' requests cannot be

considered until this information is received.

b. Medical

Students seeking a Medical Accommodation for Meal Plan Exemption must submit a

Meal Plan Medical Accommodation by the end of the third week of the start of the

semester unless mid-semester medical changes. After a meal plan waiver is submitted

online, the student must contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) on the campus

they attend to request an intake appointment. SAS is responsible for the outcome of all

medical accommodation requests.

c. Online Students

Full-time students who are registered for 9 credits or more remote classes can opt-out

of a meal plan for the current semester. Students must submit a meal plan exemption

form online by the end of the third week of the start of the semester. A full class

schedule with the student’s name or UID must be provided, and classes must state

“remote”.

d. Study Abroad and Out-of-State Study

Students who take classes abroad or out-of-state as part of a specialized program are

not responsible for having a meal plan. However, it is the student’s responsibility to

ensure a Meal Plan Exemption Form is submitted. A letter from the department head

stating the student’s academic status and study location must be submitted with the

Meal Plan Exemption Form.

e. Veteran Students and Dependents of Veteran Students

Veteran Students that are registered for a full-time class load will be automatically

accessed a meal plan. Students can choose to be exempt from the meal plan. Students

must submit a Meal Plan Exemption Form by the end of the third week of the classes.

The director of Veteran Services at Pace University must contact Auxiliary Services to

verify the student’s veteran’s status. The meal plan is not automatically removed, and it

is the student’s responsibility to ensure the required forms and documentation is

provided by the specified deadline.

f. Excessive Declining Balance

Students with a declining meal plan balance of $500 [dining points and flex dollars] or

more can request a meal plan reduction or exemption. Meal Plan Reduction and

Exemptions will be accepted until the end of the third week of the start of the semester.

Students must reapply each semester if they meet the criteria stated above.

If an exemption is granted, the Office of Student Assistance (OSA) will be notified to

credit the student’s account accordingly. Credits will be adjusted to reflect any usage of

the meal plan.

08. Responsibilities of Students Seeking Medical or Religious Exemptions

All forms can be found on the Meal Plan Forms page under the Auxiliary Services

webpage.The form must be completed and submitted online along with contacting SAS

and providing additional required documentation from a Licensed Physician/Specialist

on official letterhead. For religious exemptions a signed letter from a religious clergy on

official letterhead must be provided. Paper meal plan forms are no longer accepted.

09. Responsibilities of Students Seeking an Exemption

The student must first meet with the Dining Services Manager from the appropriate

campus with the first three weeks of the semester, or as soon as their dietary needs

change. The food service team is available to assist and accommodate individuals in

planning for special dietary needs. The consultation will be documented, as a reference

tool, and used to accommodate the student’s needs.

If, at the conclusion of the consultation with the Dining Services Manager, it is

determined that the student’s dietary needs cannot be met, then an appeal for a Meal

Plan exemption must be completed. The procedure for seeking a medical exemption

should be followed

10. Meal Plan Waiver Approvals

A request for an exemption does not guarantee a Meal Plan waiver.

Exemptions are not automatically renewed each semester, thus students must reapply

each semester they are subject to the mandatory meal plan. An approved meal plan

reduction or exemption does not mean the student will get a refund. An approved meal

plan form means all or part of the meal plan will be removed. The student must contact

OSA to determine if a refund will be issued.