Columbia University Student Services December Mailing

Dining Plans, Dining Dollars, and Flex

Overview

Sign Up for a Dining Plan.

Take part in the all-you-care-to-eat buffets options at John Jay Dining Hall, Ferris Booth Commons & JJ's Place, or grab a hot breakfast. Explore the culinary possibilities, including local, organic, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, Kosher, and Halal options. Don’t miss all the fun-filled special events in the dining hall, including our catered Thanksgiving Feast, a Chinese New Year celebration, and the great Food Expo. Take-out containers and boxed meals are available too for students on the run. We offer 4 dining plan options for upperclass, graduate, and General Studies students. Go to the Dining website for details, menus, pricing, and to sign up.

Open a Dining Dollars Account.

Do you want the flexibility to eat at different locations on campus? Open a Dining Dollars Account and you can enjoy 'all-you-care-to-eat' buffets at three on-campus dining locations, Angus beef hamburgers and grilled chicken sandwiches from Lenfest Café in Greene Hall, and gourmet grab-n-go foods at Cafe 212. All three Blue Java coffee bars offer fair trade, organic coffee and teas. Dining Dollars are a declining balance that you put on your University ID card. They are fast, safe, convenient, and tax-free, and they roll over from year to year until you graduate so you can use the account as much or as little as you like. You can learn more at the Dining website or go to Student Services Online (SSOL) to sign up.

Create a Flex Account.

The Flex Account is a declining balance account - one that is not limited to food and beverage purchases, but is subject to sales tax. Use your Flex Account at vending and copy machines, laundry machines, retail dining units, and at the Columbia University Bookstore. You can also use your Flex Account at select off-campus retailers including bakeries, grocery stores, and drug stores. Some, like Fairway Market, offer a 5% discount on purchases when you use your Flex Account. You can learn more at the Dining website or go to Student Services Online (SSOL) to sign up.