2007-08 Dining Plan FAQs
1. Can you describe why changes to the campus dining plans have occurred?
The dining plan options have been changed to support the Pulse on Dining experience, which allows students to dine whenever they like from 7 am to 9 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 9 pm on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. Pulse on Dining is the most holistic and innovative collegiate dining program available today, and is featured at select American colleges and universities. Pulse on Dining seeks to not only nourish the body through creative food concepts, but stimulate the mind and enhance the quality life of students participating in the programme. In September 2007, Acadia will be the first Canadian post-secondary institution to implement this revolutionary dining program.
2. What changes to Wheelock Dining Hall will be made to support Pulse on Dining?
Over the summer of 2007, Wheelock Dining Hall was transformed into a fluid, versatile and personalized space for Acadia students to enjoy.
- A new, diverse seating plan, including booths, smaller round tables and raised, bar-like seating
- Three plasma screen televisions with cable service
- The development of living room-like areas, featuring sofa seating
- Fresh new colours and lighting.
- A renewed menu with new foods that add variety
- More customer interaction and service changes to allow for fresher, hotter food.
- “my Pantry” a self assisted kitchen where students have the option to cook for themselves.
3. Student feedback shows that the campus dining plans should provide flexibility, variety and value. How do the new dining plan options provide students with flexibility?
The unlimited style dining plan allows students to visit Wheelock Dining Hall at their convenience between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m Monday – Friday and 9 am – 9am on Saturday and Sunday. While all foods must be consumed in the dining hall, students will not be rushed and can dine at their leisure or just sit and socialize with their friends..
How do the new dining plan options provide students with variety?
A flexible 18 day menu provides students with continually varied selection while considering cultural sensitivities and unique dining needs.
How do the new dining plan options provide value to students?
Pulse on Dining invites students to sit down, relax and enjoy their meal, as Chartwells takes care of the details. Once students walk through the dining hall doors they have the opportunity to select one of many nutritiously prepared meals or creating their own in myPantry, without the hassles of grocery shopping or washing dishes. The unlimited access style dining plan allows students to make the most of their dining plan by visiting Wheelock Dining Hall at their convenience, as often as they would like. The dine all day plan eliminates the frustration over missed meals as students can enter the dining hall as many times as they wish throughout the day.The installation of three plasma televisions, a new seating plan, fireplaces and sofas invites students to visit Wheelock Dining Hall for more than just breakfast, lunch and dinner.
4. Do the new dining plans allow for meal exchanges?
The meal exchange component of the 2006-07 dining plans has been replaced with a Flex Cash amount of $100, which allows students to purchase food items at the campus retail outlets. Flex Cash provides students with greater flexibility than meal exchanges, as there are not any restrictions regarding the food items that may be purchased, meal periods or cash equivalencies.
Enjoying meals and breaks at Wheelock will allow for a greater choice of healthy options.
5. What if a student has left over Flex Cash at the end of the year?
As Flex Cash is considered part of the dining plan package it does not have any cash value, and therefore will not be refunded.
6. What if students run out of Flex Cash?
While students may not purchase additional Flex Cash, they may purchase Axe Cash, which provides additional flexibility. Axe Cash may be purchased online using a credit card (click here) or by visiting the Residence Life Office in Bancroft House. Please note that Axe Cash purchases may not be applied to the Student Account. Axe Cash Balances over $5 at the end of the academic year are automatically refunded to students’ Student
7. Are students able to bring a guest with them to Wheelock Dining Hall?
Guests are always welcome at Wheelock Dining Hall and are asked to pay for their meal at the entrance. The 2007-08 guest prices (plus tax) are as follows: Breakfast, $4.32; Lunch, $8.64; and Dinner, $11.87. Please note that students’ dining plans are for their use only and are non transferable.
8. Have the costs of the dining plans increased?
The cost of the 7-day plan is 3.9% greater than that of the 2006-07 Unlimited Dining Plan. The change is necessary to cover inflation and increased operating costs.
9. Which five days does the 5-day plan allow students to eat?
The five day plan allows students the flexibility to select which five days they use their dining plan during each weekly cycle (Saturday to Friday). However changes are not permitted during the term once you have selected which 5 days of the week you choose. Typical choices are Monday- Friday or Sunday – Thursday. For a small additional amount you can purchase the 7 day plan so that you have unlimited flexibility in your dining days.
10. How may students change their dining plan selection?
Students may change their dining plan through the Residence Life website before August 15, and by contacting the Department of Residence Life by October 5. Please note that after October 5, students may only increase your dining plan until the winter semester begins.
11. Who should students speak with regarding special dietary needs?
Chartwells is committed to meeting the special dietary needs of students participating in the Campus Dining Program. Students should contact Becky Kennedy at (902) 542-3049 or becky.kennedy@acadiau.cato discuss their special dietary needs. Chartwells has a register dietitian who will be available to discuss any additional dietary needs.
12. To whom should students direct their questions?
Questions regarding the 2007-08 dining plan options and Pulse on Dining should be directed to Chartwells by e-mail at chartwells@acadiau.ca. Questions regarding dining plan selection and changes to the campus dining programme since 2006-07 should be directed to the Department of Residence Life at residencelife@acadiau.ca.