What are the major changes in the new meal plans from current plans?
Responding to student input, the new meal plans will focus on Block Plans - a set number of meals per term - and Unlimited Plans; and there will be more flexibility in the use of debit dollars for retail food purchases across the campus.

What about a weekly plan like the basic Any 13?
For returning residents only who prefer a current weekly plan, we will offer a choice of either the Any13 or the Any 9 plan. This is a transition that will be phased out in a year or so because of student interest trending toward Block and Unlimited plans. It will not be offered to first-time meal plan participants.

How do debit dollars fit into the new plans?
The new meal plans will include debit dollars that will be redeemable as Dining Dollars or Blue Bucks. Most plans, but not all, will include debit amounts for both Dining Dollars and Blue Bucks. Dining Dollars will be redeemable at RDS dining and retail operations. Blue Bucks can be spent at RDS locations, University Unions, other campus eateries, University Hospitals, athletic concessions as well as for non-food items, e.g. laundry and photocopying.

Why do the plans have different debit dollar amounts?
The amount of debit dollars in a plan influences the price. Our research with students indicated that the fewer dining hall meals in a plan, the more debit dollars they wanted (and vice versa). The amounts set in each plan reflect this input, as well as our studied experience in student spending on "retail" food, concessions and non-food services.

Are there debit dollars in the weekly plans offered to returning residents?
Only the Any 9 plan will include debit dollars, $200 in Blue Bucks that can be spent widely on campus. Currently, that plan offers the same amount in Dining Dollars.

Why aren't Dining Dollars included in the Non-Resident Block plans?
The debit dollars have been dedicated to Blue Bucks for those plans, based on the likelihood that students living off campus will be inclined to spend debit dollars more often in non-RDS locations. However, Blue Bucks can be spent at an RDS location as well as at University Unions, other campus eateries and athletic concessions.

Instead of two different kinds of debit dollars, why not have only Blue Bucks that will be accepted all over campus?
The new debit dollar system was developed to provide convenience and choice to students, while also ensuring revenue to support the operations of RDS, University Unions and other food service operations that are established on campus.

Why can't Dining Dollars be refunded?
Dining Dollars are designed to offer residents a flexible alternative to eating in the dining halls. To be able to continue to offer this service, Residential Dining Services needs to know that a base level of revenue will go to supporting the retail operations.

Are debit dollars a fixed amount in a plan or can they be adjusted?
Each plan - except the Any 13 for returning residents - includes an established amount of debit dollars. Blue Bucks amounts can be increased by additional purchase. The new Block 150 plan is comparable to average usage of the current Any 13 (default) plan, with the added feature of $150 in Dining Dollars and Blue Bucks. The Any 13 has no debit dollars for food or laundry.

Will the new plans still allow for meal equivalencies?
With the new Dining Dollars and Blue Bucks Program- meal equivalencies will be discontinued. Dining Dollars will actually replace equivalencies. Introduced when dining hall hours were more limited, equivalencies gave students an option of eating later at our retail operations. That benefit has somewhat diminished in recent years by later dining hours. Further, our research indicates that students perceive equivalencies as poor value - the difference between equivalency (food cost) and the price of a prepared meal (food and labor costs), no carry-over, and too many rules.

On the average, students spent approximately $150 in meal equivalencies. The new 150 Block meal plan provides a comparable amount in Dining Dollars and Blue Bucks.

Will the continued weekly plans offer meal equivalencies?
Yes, for the 2008-2009 school year, after which weekly plans will be discontinued.

Can debit dollars be used at any off-campus commercial eateries?
No. There are many, many issues to study in considering an off-campus debit plan. The University has to consider its fiduciary responsibilities to its campus food operations, employees and student staffs. University prospects with commercial food businesses will take a great deal of careful study.

How am I supposed to keep track of debit dollar balances, especially if my plan includes both Dining Dollars and Blue Bucks?
You can keep track of your debit balances online at http://www.myplan.housing.umich.edu. Also, we expect to be able to report balances at the point of purchase.

Will the new plans continue to accommodate Kosher meals?
Yes, in the same arrangement with Hillel Foundation that is currently offered.

The meal plans are expensive. I can eat as well for less money out-of-pocket.
Our meal plans are priced lower than many of our peer institutions - and in terms of Value, we believe students can't eat as well (and as much) anywhere else for the money. Additionally, students benefit from the quality of University meals and preparation, flexibility in selection and locations, and the convenience of dining without having to shop, cook and clean up.

What's the best value among the new meal plans?
Value really depends on the plan that best accommodates the individual student's food preferences and eating habits. Some students will prefer a larger number of prepared meals per term, others will want fewer meals with more debit dollars for retail spending. Considerations such as nutrition and diet, minimizing missed meals and unredeemed Dining Dollars, selection and convenience will help determine the most satisfying and efficient plan for each individual.

Will the selection of items change in the retail operations?
The selection of items in RDS retail operations is periodically reviewed and evaluated, independent of meal plan administration.

Can Blue Bucks be carried over from Fall to Winter term?
Blue Bucks can be carried over and any amount over $5 is fully refundable.

Can Dining Dollars be carried over from Fall to Winter term?
Yes, however Dining Dollars remaining at the end of the academic year are non-refundable.