Columbia University Dining

1. Do I need a special dining plan card?

No! Your dining plan, Columbia Points, Dining Dollars and Flex are all accessed entirely through your Columbia ID Card (CUID), so you only need that card.

2. Can I change my dining plan?

Yes! You can change your dining plan during the first two weeks of the fall term and during the first week of the spring term by going to the Housing & Dining Customer Service Center in 118 Hartley Hall. Please note there is a $25 change fee and we do not accept cancellations of dining plans, nor do we offer refunds.

 

 

3. How do I open -- or add money to -- my Dining Dollars or Flex account?

It's easy... you have 5 different options:

• To have it billed to your student account statement, go to:
  • Student Services Online
• To pay by cash, check or credit card, go to:
  • Housing and Dining Customer Service Center, 118 Hartley Hall
  • ID Center, 204 Kent Hall
• You may make cash-only deposits to an existing account:
  • At the register at any on-campus dining location
  • At Value Transfer Stations in the following libraries: Butler, Uris, Avery, Lehman (IAB), Lehman (Barnard) and Milbank (Teachers College)

4. What's the difference between Dining Dollars and Flex?

Dining Dollars can be used for any/all food purchases in any of the on-campus dining locations and is tax-free. Flex can be used to make dining purchases too, but also at places like the bookstore, vending and copy machines, laundry facilities and at the Hospitality Desk. Flex purchases are subject to sales tax.

 

 

5. Where can I eat?

Your Dining Plan can be used at John Jay Dining Hall -- an all-you-care-to-eat buffet open for brunch and dinner, 7 days a week. You can use your Columbia Points, Dining Dollars, Flex or cash at any of the other 12 on-campus dining locations. View the list of locations and hours of operation.

6. As a Columbia student with a dining plan, can I use my Columbia meals at Barnard and vice versa? What about Columbia Points?

Yes and no. You can use your meals at either school for lunch and dinner, but your points are only good at the school in which you are enrolled. Please note that only people on the Kosher Dining Plan have access to kosher areas at either school.

 

 

7. What if I don't use all my meals?

Your meals roll over from week to week, so you won't lose meals if you miss a few days or are on vacation; they do, however, expire at the end of each term.

 

 

8. What if I don't use all my Columbia Points, Dining Dollars or Flex?

Your Columbia Points roll over from the fall to the spring term, but expire at the end of the spring term. Dining Dollars and Flex accounts roll over from year to year until you graduate.

9. What happens if I lose my card?

Visit the online Columbia Card Deactivation website to inactivate your account so no one can use it. Then go to the ID Center in 204 Kent Hall to get a new university ID card. Everything will be on your new card.

 

 

10. Can I bring guests with me to John Jay Dining Hall?

Yes! All first year students are given up to 5 guest meals each term, while participants of the upperclass/graduate/GS meal plan are given up to 6 guest meals each term. The number of guest meals you receive depends on which dining plan you are on (see below). When you swipe in at the door, simply tell the cashier how many guests are with you and the meals will be deducted from your account.

First-Year Dining Plans

• Plan One: 5 guest meals per term
• Plan Two: 4 guest meals per term
• Plan Three: 3 guest meals per term
• Plan Four: 2 guest meals per term

Other Dining Plans

• Plan A: 6 guest meals per term
• Plan B: 4 guest meals per term
• Plan C: 2 guest meals per term
• Plan D: no guest meals provided

11. Can I get a kosher dining plan?

Yes! There are two kosher dining plans available:

1. Columbia University Kosher Dining Plan

Once you enroll in any of the Columbia dining plans (first year or otherwise), you may elect to participate in the kosher dining plan for an additional 10% fee. This allows you access to a restricted kosher area within John Jay Dining Hall that serves a full array of kosher items (entrees, side dishes and vegetables served daily). You can sign up at any time throughout the semester by going to 118 Hartley Hall or by calling 212-854-4076.

2. Barnard College Kosher Dining Plan

The Barnard College Kosher Dining Plan provides kosher 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. High quality food, including freshly-made pizza and a great salad bar, is conveniently located in Barnard's main dining facility, Hewitt Hall. Both Barnard and Columbia students can enjoy their meals in comfort with the rest of the student population. The Kosher dining plan is strictly supervised k'halakhah by the Columbia/Barnard Hillel Rabbi. Additionally, the Barnard Kosher Dining Plan provides a homey atmosphere for Shabbat, Yom Tov and other festive occasions. For more information, please contact Barnard Dining Services.

12. Which dining plan should I get?

To determine which plan to select, you may want to consider your current and future activities. If you lead an active lifestyle, or are an athlete requiring a higher caloric intake, a plan that offers the maximum number of all-you-care-to-eat meals may be the best choice. If your eating style is light, and you prefer fewer full course meals in favor of more frequent smaller meals and snacks, then you may want to select a plan with fewer meals, supplemented with Columbia Points, Dining Dollars or Flex. Of course, there are several meal plans specifically designed for students whose dining style falls someplace in between. For a side-by-side comparison, see our dining plan comparison chart .

13. 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.