Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs - Dining
Last updated: 4/3/20 9:00 p.m.
MEAL PLAN PRORATION
When will meal plan credit be applied to my student account?
Please refer to the When column in the Adjustments to Meal Plan Charges Table below for further details.
What steps do I need to take to get my meal plan prorated?
- Residential Meal Plan Holders
- If you are a student who is no longer living in University Housing, whether you have checked out or not, no action is required.
- If you are still living in a residence hall, your meal plan will not be prorated, but you will receive any unused flex dollars at the end of the spring term. No action is required.
- Cardinal Court Meal Plan Holders
- If you are a student who is no longer living in Cardinal Court, whether you have checked out or not, no action is required.
- If you are a student who is living in Cardinal Court and no longer wish to keep your meal plan, go to the Housing & Dining portal (https://bit.ly/39u33rR) and cancel your Spring 2020 meal plan between April 1-7.
- Fell/School Street Meal Plan Holders
- If you are a student who is no longer living in Fell/School apartments, whether you have checked out or not, no action is required.
- If you are a student who is living in Fell/School apartments and no longer wish to keep your meal plan, go to the Housing & Dining portal (https://bit.ly/39u33rR) and cancel your Spring 2020 meal plan between April 1-7.
- Off-Campus Meal Plan Holders
- If you are a student who no longer wishes to keep their off-campus meal plan, go to the Housing & Dining portal (https://bit.ly/39u33rR) and cancel your Spring 2020 meal plan between April 1-7.
How will my meal plan be prorated?
- Meal plans will be adjusted using the formula outlined in the 2019-2020 Meal Plan Contract Terms & Conditions:
- Unlimited and Traditional meal plan holders are charged based on the number of days they have had their meal plan plus any flex dollars they have used.
- The cancellation date of their meal plan varies. Please refer to the Meal Plan column in the Adjustments to Meal Plan Charges Table below for further details.
- Block meal plan holders are charged based on the number of meals they have used plus any flex dollars used.
- Unlimited and Traditional meal plan holders are charged based on the number of days they have had their meal plan plus any flex dollars they have used.
- Meal plan holders will receive a credit for unused fall rollover flex dollars in addition to the charge adjustments made to their Spring 2020 meal plan.
Will I get unused flex dollars back?
All unused flex dollars will be credited, including unused Fall 2019 rollover flex dollars. Please refer to the Adjustments to Meal Plan Charges Table below for further details.
Will I get unused Redbird Dollars back?
No, Redbird Dollars roll forward from year to year. If you want a credit to your Student Account for unused Redbird Dollars, please submit a request form at Forms.IllinoisState.edu/forms/refund. You must have a balance of at least $5 to make a request.
How will my meal plan charges be prorated?
Adjustments to Meal Plan Charges |
||
Student Group |
Meal Plan |
When |
|
Residents who have checked out and are no longer living in University Housing including: -Residence Halls -Cardinal Court -Fell/School |
Their meal plan will be prorated as of March 14. Unused flex dollars will be credited. No further action is required by the student. |
The adjustment for the spring 2020 meal plan will be processed by April 15. The Fall 2019 rollover flex dollars adjustment will be processed by May 8. |
|
Residents who have not checked out yet but are no longer living in University Housing including: -Residence Halls -Cardinal Court -Fell/School |
Their meal plan will be prorated as of March 14. Unused flex dollars will be credited. No further action is required by the student. |
The adjustment for the spring 2020 meal plan will be processed by April 15. The Fall 2019 rollover flex dollars adjustment will be processed by May 8. |
| Residents who continue to live in University Housing Residence Halls |
They will continue to be charged for their meal plan at their existing rate. Unused flex dollars will be credited. |
Unused flex dollars will be credited after the end of the semester. |
|
Off-Campus Meal Plan Holders Cardinal Court & Fell/School students who continue to live in University Housing
|
They will have the option to cancel their meal plan in the Housing & Dining portal from April 1 until April 7.
|
If the student cancels by April 7, the adjustment for the Spring 2020 meal plan will be processed by April 24. Meal plans cancelled after April 7 will be adjusted after the end of the semester. The Fall 2019 rollover flex dollars adjustment will be processed after the end of the semester. |
| INTO students who pay INTO directly | Please contact INTO for information about your meal plan. | |
RESIDENTIAL DINING
What extra steps are being taken by EMDH staff to ensure the safety of guests?
The safety, health, and well-being of our guests remains our top priority. Each day, we practice the highest standards for safety and sanitation, but we are enhancing these practices to include:
- Eliminating all self-service and providing boxed meal, carry-out service only
- Changing cooking utensils every 30 minutes
- Cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces more frequently
- Maintaining proper handwashing and glove usage
- Ensuring social distancing
- When visiting dining venues to pick up your boxed carry-out meal, you must wash your hands first, maintain distance between others, and touch as few surfaces as possible.
Does Illinois State University allow employees to wear face coverings?
The CDC guidance recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings. This recommendation is an effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.
In light of these new recommendations, Illinois State University will now permit employees to wear cloth face coverings.
For more information, please visit CDC.gov/coronavirus/
Does the closure of restaurants in Illinois mean that dining centers in residence halls are also closed?
No. University dining hall facilities are exempt under the state order, but meals provided at Watterson Dining Commons will be boxed meal, carry-out service only.
Are the dining centers open? What are the hours of operation?
Watterson Dining Commons will remain open for the following hours:
- Daily hours:
- Breakfast: 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Dinner: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Please note, all meals purchased will be for boxed meal, carry-out service only. If you need to make arrangements to pick up meals outside of scheduled meal periods, please call (309) 261.9378.
For information on bus service to Watterson Dining Commons, please visit Connect-transit.com/.
Marketplace at Linkins will remain closed until further notice, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Can both residential and off-campus students use their meal plans?
Yes, all meal plan holders will have access to use their meal plans at Watterson Dining Commons.
Will the dining centers still offer foods that accommodate special dietary needs?
If you have any dietary needs (food allergies, celiac disease, or other restrictions), please contact our Registered Dietitian, Desiray Yeaw, at dyeaw@ilstu.edu to ensure your needs are met.
Can faculty/staff eat at Watterson Dining Commons?
Yes, Watterson Dining Commons is open to faculty/staff. In addition, a faculty/staff discount for boxed meal, carry-out service only will be offered daily until April 30:
Lunch for $6.50 and Dinner (beginning at 4:30 p.m.) for $8.00
Please note, Marketplace at Linkins will be closed until further notice, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
RETAIL DINING
What retail dining venues are open?
At this time, Subway in Manchester Hall is open for carry-out daily from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
All other retail dining venues are closed until further notice, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
FOOD INSECURITY
What resources are available for students facing challenges related to food insecurity and hardship?
Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality (EMDH) is committed to providing care for the Redbird community. If an Illinois State University student is dealing with challenges related to food insecurity and hardship, they should contact EMDH@IllinoisState.edu for more information and guidance on the available resources.
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
If I work for EMDH as a student employee, can I still work?
All EMDH student employees remaining at their permanent residence are released from their scheduled shifts for the rest of the semester. Student employees who have received an exemption to remain in the residence halls through University Housing OR are residing off campus that are available and interested in continuing to work during this time should contact their units/supervisors for more information.
For more details regarding student employment, visit Coronavirus.illinoisstate.edu/faqs/#employment.