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Dining Plan Information

Instead of meal time being a HASSLE, relax. We BUY the food, COOK, and DO THE DISHES. This gives you more time to study, relax, be with friends, and save money in the long run.

Our menus and recipes are carefully planned to satisfy many types of appetites, from hearty to light. You'll find a variety of entrees (meatless, too), pastas, great salad bars, and lots of vegetables and fruits. And, of course, the traditional favorites like burgers, fries, hot dogs and pizza.

CONVENIENT - QUICK - just show your PolyCard (campus ID) to the cashier.

When you sign a contract to live in the Residence Halls, you have a choice of three convenient Dining Plans offering a great variety of food choices at several locations. All three Dining Plans are priced the same: $4,038 for the academic year Fall Quarter 2008-Spring Quarter 2009 ($1,379 per quarter when paid by installments). For Freshmen living in Cerro Vista Apartments, the Apartment Life Dining Plan costs $3,231 for the 2008/2009 academic year ($1,110 per quarter when paid by installments) Sign up for the Residence Hall Dining Plan of your choice or the Cerro Vista Apartment Life Dining Plan after you've been accepted into Housing, by clicking on the Dining Plan Channel at https://my.calpoly.edu . Access to Dining Plan Registration via the Cal Poly Portal is only available after registration and payment for on campus housing has been received and processed by the University. Payment processing generally takes two to three days from receipt of payment. Dining Plan sign up for Fall 2008 will begin in mid-June and payment is due July 14.

Students who are licensed to live in Poly Canyon Village will have the option to participate in the Poly Canyon Village (PCV) Dining Dollar Program. The PCV Dining Dollar Program is only offered through August 15, 2008 and the highest bonus ($450) is only available through June 30, 2008.

All campus restaurants are open to all members of the Cal Poly community, whether living on campus or off, and all restaurants welcome Campus Express Club. When used at campus restaurants, Campus Express Club functions like the Plu$ Dollar component of a Dining Plan.

Click here for a Comparison Chart showing similarities and differences among Residence Hall Dining Plans, Cerro Vista Dining Plan, Poly Canyon Village Dining Dollars and Campus Express Club.

Dining Plan Payments:

Make Dining Plan payment by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover, with no added fee) or by check. If paying by check, after you've signed up for a Dining Plan at the web site above, please print out the form and mail it with your check. Make your check payable to Cal Poly Corporation and write the student ID number on the check. Mail it to:
Cal Poly Corporation Cashier
Building #15
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407.

Dining Plan payments for Fall 2008 are due July 14 and will be subject to a $25 late fee after that date. Subsequent Dining Plan payments can be made on line by clicking on the Dining Plan Channel at https://my.calpoly.edu, or by check (payments need only be postmarked by the due date to avoid a $25 late fee).

Freedom Dining Plan:

The 2008/09 Freedom Dining Plan offers 5 Dining Credits each week (Saturday-Friday) in our four Dining Credit restaurants and 775 Plu$ Dollars a quarter (for the academic year Fall Quarter 2008-Spring Quarter 2009). Plu$ Dollars can be used at dining areas anywhere on campus, anytime and carry over from week to week and quarter to quarter until the end of the contract period.. The Freedom Plan is a desirable choice for students who tend to eat on an irregular schedule and may find the larger number of Plu$ Dollars in this Dining Plan to be a greater value.

Flexibility Dining Plan:

The 2008/09 Flexibility Dining Plan offers 8 Dining Credits each week (Saturday-Friday)  in our four Dining Credit restaurants and 475 Plu$ Dollars a quarter (for the academic year Fall Quarter 2008-Spring Quarter 2009). Plu$ Dollars can be used at dining areas anywhere on campus, anytime and carry over from week to week and quarter to quarter until the end of the contract period.

Security Dining Plan:

The 2008/09 Security Dining Plan offers 10 Dining Credits each week (Saturday-Friday)  in our four Dining Credit restaurants and 265 Plu$ Dollars a quarter (for the academic year Fall Quarter 2008-Spring Quarter 2009). Plu$ Dollars can be used at dining areas anywhere on campus, anytime and carry over from week to week and quarter to quarter until the end of the contract period. Students who select this plan can choose to use two Dining Credits most days of the week. The Security Plan is an appealing choice for students who enjoy breakfast and remain on campus during weekends.
 

Apartment Life Dining Plan:

Freshmen assigned to Cerro Vista Apartments for 2008/09 will have the Apartment Life Dining Plan which offers 5 Dining Credits each week (Saturday-Friday) in our four Dining Credit restaurants and 506 Plu$ Dollars a quarter (for the academic year Fall Quarter 2008-Spring Quarter 2009).  This plan functions like the Freedom Plan; however, costs $807 less and has fewer Plu$ Dollars than the Freedom Plan.

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All Dining Plans offer many opportunities to use Dining Credits throughout the week, up to the weekly maximum for the plan chosen. Dining Credits not used do not carry over week to week. The Dining Plan week begins on Saturday morning.  Plu$ Dollars can be used any time, at any restaurant on campus, and carry over from week to week throughout the contract period.

The Dining Credit component of all 2008/09 Dining Plans can be used at VG Cafe, Sandwich Factory, Veranda Cafe and Garden Grille. Use the Dining Credit part of your Dining Plan to purchase items to eat in or take-out up to the following cash equivalency amounts (for the academic year Fall Quarter 2008-Spring Quarter 2009):

• Breakfast $7.90
• Lunch $8.75
• Dinner $10.20
• Late Nite: $8.75

What's Plu$ Dollars?

All Dining Plans include "Dining Credits" and Plu$ Dollars. The Dining Credit component of the Dining Plan is allocated weekly, providing the security of having Dining Plan credits available throughout the academic year. Plu$ Dollars can be used at any time during the contract period, providing flexibility and convenience.

Dining Plan	Weekly Dining Credits	Quarterly Plu$*
Freedom	5	775 Plu$ Dollars/quarter
Flexibility	8	475 Plu$ Dollars/quarter
Security	10	265 Plu$ Dollars/quarter
Apartment Life	5	506 Plu$ Dollars/quarter

*amounts shown are for the academic year 2008-2009

Plu$ Dollars add the flexibility and convenience that students requested because they can be used throughout the year at all restaurants on campus. Plu$ Dollars can be used to supplement purchases at Dining Credit restaurants, for snacks between meals, or other purchases at places like BackStage Pizza, Chick-fil-A, Tapango's, Lucy's Juice or the new restaurants and market at Poly Canyon Village (Peet's, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Jamba Juice and Village Market).

Your PolyCard (Cal Poly ID) that conveniently gives you access to Dining Credit restaurants also gives you access to all the restaurants on campus through Plu$ Dollars. Your Plu$ Dollar purchases are electronically subtracted from your plan and your balance is displayed on the cash register for your benefit.

Attention Students with Special Diet Requirements

Vegans, Religious (i.e. Kosher), Food Allergies, or other diet concerns: Please call us to verify that we can accommodate your diet preferences before signing your Housing License for the Residence Halls.

We are proud of our record of accommodating students who have special dietary needs. Please contact us to discuss your particular concern. Living off campus may offer you a greater opportunity to satisfy your dietary preferences and requirements.

Contact Campus Dining at (805) 756-5939 or email campusdining@calpoly.edu.

Dining Plans are a mandatory provision of your Housing License and you are under contract to maintain one of the three Dining Plans offered when living in the Residence Halls on campus or the Apartment Life Plan as a Freshman living in Cerro Vista Apartments. Sorry, no exceptions to this provision.

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Why you should get a Cool Times Fridge

• Convenience - refreshments in your room
• Worry-free - no maintenance
• Essential - for late night study breaks
• Inexpensive - coupons offset rental costs

Let us put the freeze on your munchies at shivering savings. These mini-fridges comply with the university's specific restrictions on refrigerators that are allowed for use in the residence halls. The cost is $50 for the Academic Year, plus a $25 refundable deposit. A booklet of coupons worth over $50 will be inside your mini-fridge to help offset the price.  Offered as a convenience to residence hall occupants, you can't pass up this cool deal! A link for ordering will be emailed to Residence Hall students after roommate assignments are made toward the end of August.

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Dining Plan Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What Dining Plans do you offer?
A: Students living in the Residence Halls have a choice of three convenient Dining Plans (for the academic year Fall Quarter 2008-Spring Quarter 2009): the Freedom Dining Plan offering 5 Dining Credits each week and 775 Plu$ Dollars a quarter; the Flexibility Dining Plan offering 8 Dining Credits each week and 475 Plu$ Dollars a quarter; and the Security Dining Plan offering 10 Dining Credits each week and 265 Plu$ Dollars a quarter. Freshmen assigned to Cerro Vista will have the Apartment Life Dining Plan, which functions like the Freedom Dining Plan; however, costs $807 less and has 506 Plu$ Dollars per quarter.  All Dining Plans offer many opportunities to use a Dining Credit throughout the week, up to the maximum weekly amount for the plan chosen. Plu$ Dollars can be used at many additional restaurants on campus and in Poly Canyon Village, our convenience stores and many vending machines, at any time throughout the contract period.

Q: What does it cost?
A: All three Residence Hall Dining Plans are priced the same: $4,038 for the 2008/2009 academic year or $1,379 per quarter, paid by installments. The Apartment Life Dining Plan for Freshmen living in Cerro Vista Apartments costs $3,231 for the 2008/2009 academic year or $1,110 per quarter, paid by installments.

Q: When are Dining Plan Payments due?
A: The first payment of $1,110 for 2008/2009 Residence Hall and Apartment Life Dining Plans is due July 14, 2008. You may pay the entire remaining amount due ($2,928 for Residence Hall plans or $2,121 for the Cerro Vista Apartment Life Dining Plan) by September 7, 2008, or make installment payments.  For Residence Hall Dining Plans a $269 installment payment is due by 9/7/08, and additional installment payments of $1,379 each on 11/10/08 and 2/23/09. For Cerro Vista Apartment Life Dining Plans there is no September payment due and installment payments of $1,110 each are due on 11/10/08 and 2/23/09.  Dining Plan payments can be made on line (by clicking on the Dining Plan Channel at https://my.calpoly.edu), or mail your payment to: Cashiers Office, Cal Poly Corporation Business Office, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407. Payments must be postmarked by the due date to avoid a $25 late fee.

Q: Do you offer Dining Plans in the summer?
A: Since there are no students living in the Residence Halls this summer there are no Dining Plans offered during the summer this year. The Campus Express Club is a wise choice for students living off campus. Add value to your Campus Express Club membership at www.calpolycorporation.org/express or through the Money Matters tab at the Cal Poly portal and then use it at restaurants and convenience stores on campus, El Corral Bookstore, Health Services, Pony Prints in Kennedy Library and for printing at campus computer labs.

Q: What's open during the summer?
A: During summer there are far fewer students on campus so many of our restaurants are closed. The Avenue, Campus Market, Garden Grille, Julian's, Lucy's Juice and The Park were open last summer.

Q: When does the Dining Plan start?
A: Fall Quarter Dining Plans start with breakfast on Monday of the Week of Welcome (9/15/08) and continue throughout the quarter on days when classes are in session, ending with dinner on Friday of finals week. Winter quarter begins with brunch the Sunday before classes start and ends with dinner on Friday of finals week. Spring quarter begins with brunch the Sunday before classes start and ends with dinner on Friday of finals week.

Q: Can I buy a Dining Plan if I'm living off-campus?
A: The Campus Express Club is a wise choice for students living off campus. Add value to your Campus Express Club membership at www.calpolycorporation.org/express or through the Money Matters tab at the Cal Poly portal and then use it at restaurants on campus, El Corral Bookstore, Health Services, Pony Prints in Kennedy Library and for printing at campus computer labs.

Q: Who do I talk to with questions about Financial Aid, Housing or Dining Plan payments?
A:Financial Aid (805) 756-2927
Housing (805) 756-1226
Dining Plan Payments (805) 756-2849

Q: What kinds of vegetarian meals does the campus offer?
A: There are meatless items available at our restaurants at every meal: cheese sandwiches, vegetables, soups, salad bars, bean and rice dishes, eggplant parmesan, baked potatoes, pastas, etc. Students who are avoiding meat, yet still consume dairy and egg products can choose from many possibilities at each meal. There are also vegan items at most locations at most meals.

Q: Which is the best Dining Plan to buy?
A: For Freshmen living in Cerro Vista Apartments, the Apartment Life Dining Plan is designed exclusively for you.  Students living in the Residence Halls have a choice of three plans, and your eating patterns determine which Dining Plan is the best buy for you. The Freedom Dining Plan has traditionally been the most popular. We find students enjoy having Plu$ Dollars to use all over campus whenever they want to. If you tend to eat on a more regular schedule, the larger number of Dining Credits in the Flexibility or Security Dining Plan may be a greater value for you.

Q: If I choose the wrong Dining Plan, or my schedule changes how can I change it?
A: To change from one Dining Plan to another complete a "Dining Plan Change Request" form at Customer Service in the entrance to Garden Grille. Changes can be made for fall quarter during W.O.W. and the first week of school. Changes for winter or spring quarter can be made during the preceding finals week or during the first week of the quarter.

Q: If I don't use the allotted amount for meals by the end of the quarter, do I get that money back?
A: There are two parts to each Dining Plan - Dining Credits, which are allocated weekly, and Plu$ Dollars, which expire at the end of the contract period. Unused Dining Credits are gone at the end of the week (after dinner on Friday). Unused Plu$ Dollars roll over until the end of the contract period, which is usually Spring Quarter.

Q: What's Cash Equivalency?
A: Cash Equivalency is the cash value of a Dining Credit when using the Dining Credit part of your Dining Plan at Garden Grille, Sandwich Factory, Veranda Cafe and VG Cafe. You can either eat the food you select while you're there or you can take it out to eat later. Using your Dining Credit allows you to purchase items up to the amounts shown below as "cash equivalency" (for the academic year Fall Quarter 2008-Spring Quarter 2009).  This generally covers an average meal. 
Breakfast $7.90
Lunch $8.75
Dinner $10.20
Late Nite $8.75
For instance, if you really don't want to eat breakfast one morning, but you're up early enough to stop by the Sandwich Factory on your way to class, it would be wise to use your Cash Equivalency to purchase up to $7.90 worth of bagels, juice, fruit, sandwiches, salads or other items to eat later. When purchasing a larger or more upscale meal than is covered by the Cash Equivalency amount, Plu$ Dollars are used to pay the additional amount.

Q: When does the week run for using Dining Credits?
A: The week begins with breakfast on Saturday. You'll begin the week with 5, 8 or 10 Dining Credits, depending on the plan you've chosen.  Dining credits not used after dinner on Friday do not carry over to the next week, so it's a good idea to be aware of how many you have left on Thursday and make plans to use them by the end of the week.

Q: What's typically served at Late Nite?
A: Sub sandwiches, grilled sandwiches, hamburgers, breakfast items and beverages.

Q: How much does the State pay to support foodservice?
A: Nothing. Campus Dining is self-supporting. In fact, our purpose is to support the educational mission of Cal Poly. We're part of the Cal Poly Corporation, established over 50 years ago to support Cal Poly. Both our food services and our bookstore are operated by Cal Poly Corporation with the proceeds supporting those attending Cal Poly.

Q: Do I get all my Plu$ Dollars at the beginning of Fall Quarter, or do I get them each quarter?
A: Your quarterly Plu$ Dollars are added to your Dining Plan account at the beginning of each quarter.

Q: Do I have to use all my Plu$ Dollars by the end of the quarter?
A: You have until the end of the contract period to use your Plu$ Dollars. The contract for the academic year runs through Spring Quarter, so you have until the end of Spring Quarter to use your Plu$ Dollars.

Q: Where can I use my Plu$ Dollars?
A: Plu$ Dollars can be used at all restaurants on campus and many vending machines. Plu$ Dollars are not accepted at El Corral Bookstore, Pony Prints, Health Services or for printing at campus computer labs and cannot be used for gratuities or to purchase gift certificates or alcohol. You may use your Plu$ Dollars at the Campus Market, Tapango's, The Park, Lucy's Juice, Lucy's Juice Too, The Avenue, Garden Grille, BackStage Pizza, Julian's, VG Cafe, The Sandwich Factory, Veranda Cafe, Sage and the new restaurants and convenience store at Poly Canyon Village: Peet's, Jamba Juice, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Village Market.

Q: I wanted to use my Campus Express Club, but the cash register used Plu$ Dollars instead. Why is that?!
A: Plu$ Dollars expire at the end of your Dining Plan contract, and Campus Express Club carries over to next year. The registers are set up to use Plu$ Dollars first to prevent people from accidentally using up all their Campus Express Club and having lots of Plu$ Dollars wasted at the end of the year.

Q: I've read about special deals, like a free power powder at Lucy's Juice when I use my Campus Express Club. Do those deals work with Plu$ Dollars, too?
A: Yes! When used at restaurants on campus, Plu$ Dollars and Campus Express Club are essentially the same. Check the Hot Deals page to see what discounts are being offered when you use your Plu$ Dollars or Campus Express Club.

Q: What if my card malfunctions?
A: If the magnetic stripe appears to have lost its encoding, please bring your card to Customer Service at the entrance to Garden Grille and they'll re-activate it. It's important to keep your card away from magnetic fields, such as those created by a TV, stereo, microwave, or magnetic clasps of wallets and purses. Heat, water and eelskin can also corrupt the magnetic stripe and render the card unreadable.

Q: Who do I call if I have questions?
A: Call Campus Dining, (805) 756-5939 or email campusdining@calpoly.edu

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