Issue date: 8/23/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Steve Berry Senior Julie McBride and junior Caitlyn Lamb, both commuter students, eat lunch on the Stratton Quadrangle. Dining Services is preparing to introduce a meal plan for commuter students.

Soon, students who do not live on campus will enjoy the benefits of a meal plan that differs from those offered to students living on campus.

Dining Services will offer a new commuter meal plan for students, faculty and staff living off-campus.

"We hope to get the plan rolling this spring, but we don't have the system updated yet for the point of sale," Morris University Center Director Mary Robinson said.

According to Robinson, the plan is incentive-based, meaning that students can earn ten percent of what they deposit. If a student were to deposit $100, then that student will have $110 to spend on their account.

The Cougar Village and residence hall plans have a certain amount of money that a student is allowed to spend already in the account; however, a student can only spend what they deposit into the commuter plan.

"Not only can students get this plan, but faculty and staff that live off-campus can get the plan," Robinson said.

The plan can be used for food purchases only, and it is available to use at all of the same dining services locations and catered events as the on-campus plans.

The commuter plan requires at least a $100 deposit to initiate the plan. Additional deposits can be made in increments of $25.

Funds will be applied to the students' Cougar Cards and swiped to make a purchase. The remaining balance may be checked at any cash register at any of the participating locations.

According to the Morris University Center Web site, accounts can be set up in Rendleman Hall, Room 1309. Additional funds can be deposited at that location at any time.

Similar to the on-campus plans, if any money is left over on the commuter plan, the money will be carried over to the next semester, and all carried over money may be retained or refunded.

The funds that are carried over are only available at the end of the academic year and not at any other time for refund. A service charge will be deducted for any refund transaction.

For more information about the new commuter meal plan, visit the Morris University Center Web site at siue.edu/MUC.

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