What is a Meal Plan?
A meal plan is not just about the meals you eat; it’s also about the convenience of the meals you can eat. Shepherd University dining services operates 7 days a week and 97 hours per week. A meal plan unlocks delicious meals, coffee, snacks, and more at four locations across campus. Meal plans include meal swipes and dining dollars, conveniently loaded onto your Rambler Card. Please note that meal plans are on a per-semester basis. Students can adjust their meal plan options during the first two weeks of each semester. Students can choose from 6 meal plan options catering to residents, commuters, and non-traditional students.
Meal Swipes
Students can access Rams Den, our all-you-care-to-eat dining location, with one meal swipe per meal period (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Meal swipes reset every Thursday at 11:59 PM and do not carry over from week to week. Meal swipes are also available at our retail locations. Navigate to the meal exchange section to learn how to use your meal swipes at other locations.
Dining Dollars
Dining Dollars are included in five available Meal Plans and may be used at any of our retail dining locations (Riverside Market, Fireside Bistro, and Wellness Cafe). Whenever you make a purchase, the total price is deducted from your account balance. Unused Dining Dollars roll over from the fall semester to the spring semester with the purchase of a spring dining plan, but will expire at the end of the academic year. Additionally, Dining Dollars can be used with your meal exchanges at retail locations. Visit our locations page for location information, including dining hall menus and hours of operation.
Meal Exchanges
Meal exchanges allow you to “exchange” your meal swipes for a preset combo meal at selected retail locations. This option will enable you to order meals from Riverside Market, Fireside Bistro, and Wellness Cafe. Depending on the chosen meal plan, there is a daily limit of 2-3 Meal Exchange meals per meal period (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Account Balances
Students can easily track their meal swipe usage and dining dollar balance through the Rambler Card Services website. To access your account, visit the Shepherd University Wellness Center Rambler Card Services Page, then select “account balances” for up-to-date information on your remaining balances.
How to Apply for a Meal Plan
- Log in to the Good Living Portal
- Select Housing Forms (On mobile, click the three lines in the top right.)
- Then, select “Forms” from the dropdown menu (on mobile, click the three lines in the top right again).
- Select the Meal Plan Change/Request Form
- Fill out the form and sign
- The meal plan will then show on your RAIL Student Account after it has been processed
Meal Plan Adjustments & Eligibility
- Meal plans may be adjusted during the first two weeks of the semester; eligibility for meal plans depends on your housing location and earned credit hours:
- Commuters may opt to select any meal plan
- Residents living in Boteler, Lurry, Martin, Miller, Moler, Potomac, Shaw, Thacher, or Yost halls may select either the Gold Plan or the Blue Plan.
- Residents who have earned 90 or more credit hours and live in these buildings may select the Gold Plan, Blue Plan, or Ram Block.
- Residents in Dunlop or Printz Halls can choose any meal plan, but it’s not required.
Residence Life Quick Links
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