Columbia University Dining
FAQs
FAQs
Faculty and Staff
- Can faculty and staff eat at John Jay Dining Hall?
- Where else can faculty and staff eat on campus?
- How can I pay for meals on campus?
- Can faculty or staff have a Dining Dollars or Flex account?
- What are the benefits to faculty and staff in having a Flex account?
- How can I add money to my Flex account?
- Do the on-campus dining locations accept credit cards?
- How much does a meal on campus cost?
- The vending machine ate my money -- how do I get a refund?
1. Can faculty and staff eat at John Jay Dining Hall?
Absolutely! Faculty and staff are welcomed and encouraged to experience John Jay Dining Hall for brunch or dinner. All-you-care-to-eat meals are available for $9.95 plus tax for brunch (served 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily) and $12.95 plus tax for dinner (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily).
2. Where else can faculty and staff eat on campus?
All of the 12 on-campus dining locations are open and available to faculty and staff. See their locations and hours of operations.
3. How can I pay for meals on campus?
All of our dining venues accept cash or Flex, which is a convenient, safe alternative available to faculty and staff (see #5 and #6).
4. Can faculty or staff have a Dining Dollars or Flex account?
Dining Dollars accounts are only available to students, but faculty and staff are welcome to open a Flex account (see #5 and #6).
5. What are the benefits to faculty and staff in having a Flex account?
Having a Flex account makes life on campus a lot easier for faculty and staff! Since you already carry your university ID with you wherever you go, why not make it work for you? Deposits made into a Flex account, which is entirely accessed through your university ID, allow you to make purchases all over campus, including food and beverages at all 12 on-campus dining venues, in vending machines, at the bookstore and at copy machines. And deposits into Flex accounts don't expire until you leave Columbia!
6. How can I add money to my Flex account?
Opening a new account, or adding money to an existing account, is easy! Stop by the Customer Service Center in 118 Hartley Hall to make a deposit using cash, check or credit card (open Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.), or add money right at the register at any of the on-campus dining locations (cash only). After hours, you can visit the Housing and Dining Hospitality Desk in the lobby of Hartley Hall, which is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
7. Do the on-campus dining locations accept credit cards?
Unfortunately, not at this time. But, you can open a Flex account using your credit card if you sign-up in person at either the Customer Service Center or Hospitality Desk, both located in Hartley Hall (see #5 and #6).
8. How much does a meal on campus cost?
Prices vary from location to location, but we are competitively priced at or below other neighborhood dining venues. Generally, you can get a full lunch for about $6-$7, or choose the 'all-you-care-to-eat' buffet style at John Jay Dining Hall for $9.95 for brunch or $12.95 for dinner. View sample menus.
9. The vending machine ate my money -- how do I get a refund?
Simply go to the Housing and Dining Hospitality Desk (in the lobby of Hartley Hall, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) and fill out a refund request form (i.e. the location of the machine, how much was lost, date, time, etc.) and your refund will be processed right there.
