The cultural stigma says college diets are synonymous with inexpensive pizza and off-brand canned beverages. While those definitely have their place, the vibrant and diverse student population at Central Michigan University has a global palate that goes far beyond a healthy dose of melted cheese, sauce and oh-so-delicious carbs.
These days, a campus picnic is as likely to include a steaming vegetable curry and spicy chutney as it is burgers and hotdogs.
And that makes balancing students' diverse culinary cultures, nutritional needs and the sheer quantity of items needed a massive daily undertaking. Here's what you need to know when navigating the university's three dining halls, multiple partner restaurants and seemingly endless culinary combinations.
Who's making my meals?
Since 2021, nationally recognized campus dining outlet Chartwells has contracted to handle any and all food items sold on Central Michigan University campus, including campus catering, dining halls and national brands like Subway and Starbucks. From the vending machines in classroom buildings to the marketplaces in the residence halls, and from the restaurants in the Bovee University Center to the campus' three dining halls, Chartwells is part of the process.
What's open and where?
The following restaurants, dining halls and markets were listed on the Campus Dining website as of May 22. For a full list and hours as the semester begins, check dineoncampus.com/cmichdining
Bovee University Center
East Community
South Community
Towers Community
Other locations
What about dietary restrictions?
When you're allergic to certain ingredients, culturally and/or spiritually disinclined to eat certain foods or voluntarily vegetarian, dietary restrictions can make it tough to find a meal that fits your palate. Campus Dining's team of executive chef, registered dietician, catering and dining hall directors, regional director and dining hall staff are available and eager to help.
According to the Campus Dining guide to navigating allergies and special diets: "We recognize that students with food allergies or dietary restrictions are required to spend more time and effort in managing their diet than others. We take into account each students personal dietary needs and make every effort to provide helpful information to those with food restrictions."
But it can't happen in a vaccum. According to the campus dining, the best thing a student with dietary restrictions can be is their own best advocate. Here are some tips for navigating the culinary maze:
Notify CMU Dining of your allergies. You can do so by providing medical documentation to Student Disability Services, as needed; attending informational meetings about the dining halls; scheduleing a meeting with the leadership team; and downloading and creatin a provide with food allergies on the campus dining app, "Dine on Campus."
Be proficient in the management of your allergies. Recognize common sources of food to which you are allergic; know the symptoms of a reaction; how how and when to report an allergy-related problem; carry and properly use medications; carry emergency contact information with you; tell your dining pals about your health conditions and needs in the case of an emergency; and review policies and procedures with CMU dining and your doctor.
Read menus and ingredient information. They're available at dining stations and at dineoncampus.com/cmichdining.
Ask employees to change gloves, use a fresh knife or pan, or to clean their stations in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Consider making more selections from served stations, rather than self-serve.
When in doubt ask! If you aren't willing to speak up, the professionals can't help.
For more information or tips, check out the Campus Dining publication.
Who qualifies?
Campus dining offers meal memberships for both residents and commuter students. Any student who lives on-campus - and with a few exceptions, all first- and second-year students are required to be campus residents - is required to take a meal plan. The options include:
Prices for the 2023-24 academic year were not immediately available as of deadline; however, for the 2022-23 academic year, plans available to first-year students ranged from $2,431 to $2,843.
For updates or more information, visit cmich.edu/student-life/housing/living-on-campus/housing-meal-rates.
What a FLEX
So what's up with FLEX Dollars?
These are pre-accrued money electronically attached to your account used to make on-campus culinary purchases made outside of your meal plan. If you suddenly feel the need for a triple-shot latte or your friends want to grab lunch in the food court rather than the dining halls, your FLEX dollars come into play.
Some fair warnings, though: Unspent FLEX money can roll over from fall semester to spring, and from spring semester into summer; however, any unspent credit at the end of the summer will expire and are not refundable or transferable to the next academic years. So use them or loose them.
Additionally, they are only accepted for dining locations on campus. Don't plan to spend your FLEX dollars off campus or for items other than food.