Meal Plan FAQs

All meal plan options will allow carry out. However, the Unlimited Access Meal Plans allow a maximum of 3 carry out meals per day.

Dine-in and carryout meals are two separate transactions. If a student would like to eat in the dining center and then get a carry out, they must re-swipe into the dining center to get the carry out box. 

Meal plan holders may not take a seat in the dining center once a carryout box has been obtained.
A carryout meal includes one entrée, two side dishes, and one dessert.
A beverage may be taken to-go, but the meal plan holder must use their own reusable cup.

Flex dollars remaining at the end of the fall semester will roll over into the spring semester providing a meal plan is retained for the spring semester*. All flex dollars expire at the end of the spring semester and are non-refundable.
If you choose to cancel your meal plan for the spring semester, your flex dollars will expire at the end of the fall semester.

*Students living in traditional residence halls are required to have a meal plan.

Any access into the dining center is considered a meal whether you eat a bagel, a slice of pizza, a salad, a dessert or a beverage. In general, students on a block plan or traditional plan will not want to come into the dining center for a small snack or beverage since they have a limited number of meals they can eat in a semester or week. These students might prefer to purchase beverages and snacks from the retail restaurants on campus or vending machines in the residence halls using their flex dollars. Students on unlimited meal plans are allowed to enter the dining centers as often as they like, so they may choose to come in more frequently for a drink or snack between meals.

Please keep in mind that Unlimited Access Plans allow a maximum of three carry out meals per day.

Students that were living in the residence halls can cancel their meal plan once they have moved out of their room. 

Students that were living in Cardinal Court or Fell/School street can cancel their meal plan if they have not used any portion of their meal plan (meals or flex dollars).

We strongly encourage you to contact our dietitian team to ensure your specific questions are answered, your concerns are addressed, and you are well informed of all the menu options available to fit your needs and preferences. Our registered dietitians offer individual consultations for students with food allergies, restricted diets, and other nutritional needs, including weekly meal planning guidance and menu adaptation. They can be reached via the Ask the Dietitian link at Dining.IllinoisState.edu.

Please visit the Food Allergies and Other Dietary Needs page on Dining.IllinoisState.edu for information on allergen-friendly options for students with food allergies. EMDH has two registered dietitians available to meet with students who have food allergies or other dietary needs. Our registered dietitians offer individual consultations for students with food allergies, restricted diets, and other nutritional needs, including weekly meal planning guidance and menu adaptation. They can be reached at (309) 438-8351 or  EMDH@IllinoisState.edu .

Yes, EMDH is still hiring student positions. Each EMDH student employee plays a critical role in creating safe, memorable experiences for students, guests, and the entire Redbird community. To learn more about the hiring process and to apply for employment, please visit the EMDH employment website.

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.