Frequently Asked Questions

Where are all of the locations my student can use swipes? What locations can they use Dining Dollars?

Dining Dollars can be used for any dining purchase on campus. This includes all dining locations and markets. Swipes can be used at all of the following locations:

  • Martin Dining Commons
  • Maplestreet Dining Commons
  • Western Dining Commons
  • Garden Commons
  • Bell Tower
  • Market Street at MacCracken (Meals to Go Items Only)
  • Emporium Market (Meals to Go Items Only)
  • Scoreboard Market (Meals to Go Items Only)
  • King Cafe (Meals to Go Items Only)
  • Greystone Market (Meals to Go Items Only)

My student is finding it hard to make it to a dining hall between classes, but needs to use their swipes. What are their options?

Bell Tower offers swipe-friendly combo items! You can order ahead on Grubhub as well. Plus, visit Markets for the Meals to Go program, featuring a York-Street branded entrée (like a salad or sandwich), a side of fruit, and water, all for a swipe.

The dining hall closest to my student doesn’t open until 9AM, but they have an 8AM class. Where can they eat an early breakfast?

All Dining Commons open at 7:30AM Monday through Friday for breakfast as an all-you-care-to-eat location and are no more than a ten minute walk from residence halls. Other available a la carte options include Starbucks, Pulley Diner, Café Lux, Panera Bread, Pulse Café, and Dividends. The a la carte locations accept dining dollars and credit cards.

My student ran out of swipes, but still wants to eat at a dining commons. What are their options?

Students can still enter the dining commons using dining dollars or credit cards.

Why are lines so long at some of the locations?

As is common with the start of every semester, it takes a couple of weeks for the student dining habits and academic schedules to settle into a pattern. As these patterns develop the dining locations adjust to the demand. Please know that the lines do move along quickly as we scan in 10 guests per minute during our peak hours serving approximately 500 guests per hour.

I’m hearing that there’s only pizza and pasta available. How can we see what options are available in the dining commons locations?

You and your student can check the dining location menus for a full menu before you go, see options available at each station, and plan your plate.

It sounds like our students think the food at certain dining halls is better than others. What is the difference between the dining halls?

The same recipes and ingredients are used for all dining commons across campus. Each dining hall differs in the layout and number of stations: for example, Maplestreet Commons has an Allergen Station called True Balance, that serves a menu that is made without the top 9 allergens, and Western has a Gluten Solutions station that is gluten friendly.

My student’s roommate was raving about the black bean burger and vegan nuggets they got in the dining commons, but my student didn’t see it when they went later the same day. Are they missing something?

There are several ‘Available Upon Request’ items available at every dining commons, everyday. Students can ask a staff member onsite for all of the options available. Available Upon Request items include vegan favorites, gluten-free options, and much more.

What is the difference between meal swipes and dining dollars?

Essentially 1 meal swipe gains you access into a dining commons for an All-You-Care-To-Eat experience, a meal at the Bell Tower Ghost Kitchen, or any of the meals to go options. Dining Dollars can be used everywhere on campus.

How can I view my student's meal swipe usage through the week?

On the MyMiami parent/family portal, you can review the Meal Plan Transaction ledger to see dining dollar and meal swipe usage.

What are you doing to hire enough staff?

As the national labor shortage has been especially challenging for the hospitality industry, Miami Dining has been working hard to increase incentives to attract the best team to serve your students. Student hiring continues throughout the academic year and is critical to the success of our operations. Keep in mind we must follow CDC and Butler County General Health guidelines for COVID testing and contact tracing. This could potentially limit our available staff on short notice.

My student has a few hours a week to work, but wants to ensure their academics come first. What options are available?

Miami Dining Services offers flexible schedules that enable academic priority. We also offer the highest wages on campus starting at $14/hour. There are advancement opportunities and management training available. For more information, visit our Join Our Team page.

 

Have more questions? Contact the Food & Beverage team directly via our Feedback form.