Meal Plan FAQ
What is meal plan?
What are dining points?
What are the differences between the meal plan levels?
Which level meal plan should I choose?
Where will I be able to use my meal plan/dining points?
What foods are offered at the on-campus dining venues?
What are the times that I can use my dining points?
How will I be able to control my spending on my dining plan?
Who is eligible to participate in a meal plan?
What are the minimum meal plan requirements?
I live in an on-campus apartment. Why must I be on a meal plan?
What is the difference between a meal plan/dining point and Pacific Cash?
Will I be able to use credit or debit cards at the dining venues?
Since there will be beer and wine sold at The Liar (the pub), am I able to purchase these items with my meal plan?
What if I run out of dining points? Can I add more to my plan?
If I withdraw from the University and have a meal plan, will I be able to get a refund on my dining points?
If I have any remaining dining points at the end of the Fall semester, will I be able to "roll them over" to the Spring semester?
Can I give my dining points to a friend?
If I live in a University-owned Greek chapter house, will I be required/able to be on a University meal plan?
What is a meal plan?
A meal plan is an account linked to your Pacific ID card that allows you to access your dining points. This account works like a prepaid debit account, where you are only able to spend what you have available.
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What are dining points?
Dining points are given to students when they enroll in a meal plan. One dining point = $1 dollar at the cash register. The amount of dining points you receive per semester depends on which meal plan level you choose. The amount of each purchase is deducted from the dining point balance, tax free. Dining points are NOT United States currency, and therefore are NOT transferrable.
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What are the differences between the meal plan levels?
We offer five levels of meal plans to students living on-campus. They are Platinum, Gold, Silver, Copper, and Bronze. The Bronze meal plan is only available to those students who live in University-owned apartment communities. Listed below are the dining point amounts for each meal plan level. Please note that these amounts are for the dining points you will receive, and not the cost of the meal plan. For more information on the cost of the meal plans, please refer to our rates.
2018-2019 General Term:
| Meal Plan Levels | Dining Point Amounts |
| Platinum | 2,375 Semester/4,750 Year |
| Gold | 2,221 Semester/4,442 Year |
| Silver | 2,037 Semester/4,074 Year |
| Copper | 1,523 Semester/3,046 Year |
| Bronze | 741 Semester/1,482 Year |
2018-2019 Pharmacy Term:
| Meal Plan Levels | Dining Point Amounts |
| Platinum | 1,584 Trimester/4,752 Year |
| Gold | 1,480 Trimester/4,440 Year |
| Silver | 1,358 Trimester/4,074 Year |
| Copper | 1,016 Trimester/3,048 Year |
| Bronze | 493 Trimester/1,479 Year |
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Which level meal plan should I choose?
The best level meal plan for you depends on how much and how often you will eat throughout the semester. Our Platinum meal plan is designed for heavy eaters and for those students who wish to eat three-four times a day during the week and two-three time a day on the weekend. The Gold level meal plan is designed for those students who wish to eat two-three meals a day during week and two times a day on the weekend. The Silver level meal plan is designed for those residence hall students who wish to eat twice a day during the week and one-two times a day on the weekend. All residence hall students are required to purchase either a Platinum, Gold, or Silver level meal plan. The University recommends that students purchase either a Platinum or Gold level meal plan. If at the end of the Fall semester you realize that you do not need as many dining points, you can always lower your meal plan down to either a Gold or Silver level plan at the start of the next semester. The Copper and Bronze level meal plans are designed for our Upper Division Community students. Those living in the Upper Division Communities are required to be on a minimum Bronze level meal plan. This plan is designed to easily provide you a way to grab a quick meal during your busy week or a coffee or latte on your way to class.
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Where will I be able to use my meal plan/dining points?
There are a variety of dining venues throughout the Pacific campus. In the DeRosa University Center, there are many options including the Marketplace, The Lair, and the Calaveras Coffee House. Other options include the Davies Cafe in the library, the Health Sciences Cafe on North campus, the EAT Truck located on South Campus, and The Grove grocery store, located in the McCaffrey Center. Dining points may only be used at on-campus dining venues.
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What food options are available at the on-campus dining venues?
The Marketplace features a variety of stations provided by Bon Appétit to choose from; a Taqueria station focusing on meals from many countries in South America, a Healthy Options station featuring California cuisine, a Wok 2 Thailand station offering specialties from throughout Thailand, an Exhibition station focusing on grill menu options, and more. At least one vegetarian entrée is featured at each meal and at each station. Bon Appétit is open to suggestions and requests, so feel free to contact them with any concerns.
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What are the times that I will be to use my dining plan?
The University designed the dining plan in collaboration with Bon Appétit with flexibility in mind. There are no limitations on when or where students can use their dining points and there are no regulations prohibiting the use of dining points to purchase meals for other students or guests. Students will be able to "grab and go" with their purchases and are not limited to eating their meals in the location where it was purchased. For more information on the times that Pacific's Dining venues are open, please check out our Hours of Operation.
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How will I be able to control my spending on my meal plan?
Students will have control of their meal plan account, and will be able to purchase their meals as they see fit. Of course, having control of the spending in the meal plan account comes with a level of responsibility in student spending behavior. After every point of purchase, the new dining point balance will be shown on the register. Students will be able to check their balance on-line at http://go.pacific.edu/pacificcard. In addition, Housing and Greek Life will post the Weekly Spending Grid throughout the dining venues to allow students to track their spending for the semester.
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Who is eligible to participate in a meal plan?
All students who live on campus are required to participate in a meal plan. For those living off-campus who wish to be on a meal plan, please check out our Commuter Dining Plans.
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What are the minimum meal plan requirements?
All students living in First Year and Second Year Communities must participate in a minimum of the Silver meal plan. All students living in the Upper Division Communities are required to purchase a minimum Bronze level meal plan.
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I live in an Upper Division Community. Why must I be on a meal plan?
The Bronze plan, is designed to be a convenience for the students in the apartment communities. In addition to being able to use the meal plan at all the various dining locations around campus, The Grove grocery store offers items geared toward apartment residents that may be purchased using your meal plan. This includes items such as detergent, household cleaning supplies, toiletries, as well as new "grab and go" food options such as fresh made salads, fruits and vegetables, coffee, soups, sandwiches, and desserts.
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What is the difference between a meal plan/dining point and Pacific Cash?
The benefit to participating in a meal plan is that you will not pay sales tax at the point of each individual purchase. Taxes and fees are included in the up-front cost of the meal plan, so the price you see is the amount deducted from your dining point balance. Additionally, with a meal plan you will pay before the semester starts through your Student Account and not have to worry about spending money out of pocket for food. With Pacific Cash, you do not have the ability to charge your Student Account, and you pay sales tax for each transaction. If you wish to purchase Pacific Cash, please go online or stop by the Pacific Card Office.
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Will I be able to use Pacific Cash at the dining venues?
Yes. Students may use Pacific Cash in the dining venues, and you must pay sales tax.
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Will I be able to use credit and debit cards at the dining venues?
Yes. You may use your credit card or ATM card to purchase items in the dining venues but there is no discount.
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Since there will be beer and wine sold at The Lair (the pub), am I able to purchase these items with my meal plan?
Beer and wine will be sold in The Lair to those who are 21 years of age or over. These students may purchase beer or wine with their dining point, unless there is a restriction on the individual meal plan.
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If I run out of dining points can I add more to my meal plan?
You may move up to any higher level of meal plan at any time. This request must be made in writing through Residential Life & Housing. Once the change is made, your dining points are available immediately and the new level of meal plan will remain in effect for the remainder of the school year unless another change is requested within the Housing guidelines.
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If I withdraw from the University and have a meal plan, will I be able to get a refund of my dining points?
Since dining points are not United States currency, students will not receive a refund on their dining points. HOWEVER, students will receive a prorated refund on their housing and dining fee for the remainder of the semester based, in part, on plan usage. Keep in mind that your refund will not directly correlate with your remaining dining point balance. For more information, please read your Student Housing Agreement.
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If I have any remaining dining points at the end of the Fall semester, will I be able to "roll them over" to the Spring semester?
General term students may roll over up to 300 dining points from the Fall to the Spring semester. Any dining points remaining at the end of the school year will be lost. Pharmacy students will be allowed to roll over 300 dining points from Fall to Spring AND from Spring to Summer. Any remaining dining points will be lost at the end of the academic year.
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Can I give my dining points to a friend?
While you may certainly purchase items with your dining point for a friend, you may not transfer your dining points to another person's meal plan.
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If I live in a University-owned Greek chapter house, will I be required/able to participate in a University meal plan?
In University-owned Greek chapter houses, house meal plans are provided. By living in the chapter house, you are required to participate in one of the meal plan options provided by your chapter. The Copper and Bronze plans are designed to augment the house meals plans (i.e. if you chapter meal plan does not offer meals on the weekends) and may be purchased separately.
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