Gator Dining Services - Frequently Asked Questions

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1	How do I purchase a Meal Membership?
	There are 5 easy ways to sign up for a Meal Membership: By Mail – 114 Rec Center Dining; Gainesville, FL 32611 By Phone – (352) 392-2491 Online – www.gatordining.com or www.gator1.ufl.edu By Fax – (352) 392-9787 Walk-in to the Business Office You may pay using a credit card (balance in full or a payment plan when purchasing a fall meal membership), cash, check, or financial aid deferment. [close]
2	What is the credit card payment plan?
	Payment plans for the All Campus Meal Membership are available for credit card users only. By choosing this option, you are authorizing us to charge your credit card AUTOMATICALLY and without further notice one-third of the total amount due for fall semester on these days: 7/1/07, 8/1/07, & 9/1/07; and one-third of the total amount due for spring semester on these days: 10/1/07, 11/1/07, & 12/1/07. The amount charged to your card on each of the dated will be – Unlimited Meal Plan: $565.32; 150 Block Plan: $454.17; 19 Meal Plan: $571.15; 14 Meal Plan: $496.36; 10 Meal Plan: $450.94. By choosing the payment plan, you agree to maintain a credit line adequate to cover such charges on the dates noted above. [close]
3	Does Gator Dining Services accept Financial Aid Deferment?
	Yes, you may defer payment of your All Campus Meal Membership or your Declining Balance Account (with a minimum balance request of $300) if the expected amount of your financial aid award is large enough to cover your meal membership PLUS the amount of your tuition, campus housing expenses (if applicable) and any bookstore deferment you may have chosen. If approved, Financial Aid will be automatically resubmitted in the spring semester for the same amount. Please contact Gator Dining Services for more information. [close]
4	What are the Meal Membership options?
	The All Campus Meal Membership is recommended for all resident students and is the most economical, flexible, and fun way to eat on campus. We offer a variety of options to fit your life-style. Choose from 19 meals per week, 14 meals per week, 10 meals per week, or an Unlimited number of meals per week at either Gator Corner Dining Center or the Fresh Food Company. In addition to the “meals-per-week” memberships, we also offer a block membership which provides 150 meals for you to eat at any time during the semester. [close]
5	How do I choose the best Meal Membership for me?
	Whether you eat three square meals a day, snack often, or eat sporadically, there is a Meal Membership for you! Call (352) 392-2491 for an individual assessment and recommendation. [close]
6	Can I change my Meal Membership?
	There is a grace period during the first 10 days of the fall and spring semesters during which you can upgrade, downgrade, or change your Meal Membership to Declining Balance. After that grace period, you are still allowed to upgrade your Meal Membership; however, you cannot downgrade it or convert it to Declining Balance. [close]
7	Is there a two semester commitment for the Meal Membership?
	Yes. When you purchase a Meal Membership for the Fall semester (regardless of whether you convert it to Declining Balance or a fraternity/sorority meal plan during the grace period), you must purchase a Meal Membership for the Spring semester as well. You do not have to purchase the same plan you had for Fall; however, you can choose any meal option to fulfill that obligation. [close]
8	What are the door rates for the dining halls?
	$5.84 for breakfast, $7.96 for lunch and dinner (all prices include tax). [close]
9	Can I bring guests to the dining halls?
	The Flex Bucks portion of a meal membership or a Declining Balance Account can be used to treat a guest to a dining facility; however, a meal from the Meal Membership can only be used by the individual with the meal membership. [close]
10	Can I take my meals to-go if I don’t feel like eating in the dining hall?
	Yes. Please tell the cashier you would like your meal to-go at the time of purchase. Unfortunately, you may not stay in the dining hall if you choose a meal to-go. The to-go box must be fully closed when you leave. The to-go option is a convenience for you. If you choose unlimited portions, you must dine-in. [close]
11	What is a Declining Balance Account?
	For the student living a distance from campus, the regular Declining Balance Account is a convenient alternative to the All Campus Meal Membership. The Regular Declining Balance Account allows the student to deposit funds at any time. The account is accepted at all Gator Dining locations. There is no fee to establish the account and no minimum balance to maintain. Any unused balance carries forward from semester to semester and from year to year until you graduate or leave school. It’s fast – just scan and go. It’s convenient and safe – no need to carry cash on campus. It may also be used at any campus dining location and convenience store. [close]
12	What is the difference between Flex Bucks and Declining Balance?
	Both Flex Bucks and Declining Balance are accounts on your Gator 1 Card that work just like a debit account for food. They are accepted at all food locations on campus. Flex Bucks come with a Meal Membership while Declining Balance is maintained separately. Because Flex Bucks come with a Meal Membership, they expire at the end of the spring semester while Declining Balance will continue to rollover until you graduate, withdraw, or transfer from UF. [close]
13	What are the advantages of having a Meal Membership?
	The Meal Membership is the most convenient and economical way to eat on campus. Our two all-you-care-to-eat dining facilities are located near residential areas and provide not only great places to eat healthy, but also popular destinations for socializing and studying. There are a wide variety of Meal Memberships to fit any student’s schedule and eating habits, plus each Meal Membership includes Flex Bucks for flexible dining at all locations on campus. [close]
14	Does my Meal Membership rollover at the end of the semester?
	Any unused meals at the end of the semester will not roll forward into the following semester; however, the Flex Bucks portion of the Meal Membership will rollover until the end of the spring semester if the account is in good standing as of January 3, 2008. [close]
15	How do I add money to my dining account?
	If you are low on Flex Bucks, you can open a Declining Balance account to supplement your Meal Membership. Declining Balance customers can add money to their account at any point in the semester as well. Both of these options are able to be done over the phone, online, or in person at the business office. Computer kiosks are conveniently located at select dining locations on campus for quick Declining Balance add-ons. [close]
16	Where is the Gator Dining Business Office?
	The Gator Dining Business Office is located in the Racquet Club Dining Center just north of the infirmary and across the street from Academic Advisement on Fletcher Drive. [close]
17	Why is my Meal Membership not showing up online?
	Although you may have already purchased a Meal Membership, it will not show up on Gator 1 Central until it is activated (at the beginning of the semester), regardless of what method you used to purchase it. [close]
18	If I join a fraternity or a sorority, what happens to my Meal Membership?
	View the Fraternity/Sorority Refund Policy (Word Document) [close]
19	How do the dining halls accommodate special dietary needs?
	Whether for religious, personal, or health reasons, Gator Dining Services strives to accommodate a large range of special dietary needs. Many of the recipes at both dining halls can be made without certain ingredients upon request. In addition, both dining halls have permanent Vegan Corner stations that serve daily entrees. For more information and specific questions, please contact Gator Dining Nutritionist, Hannah Stahmer, at stahmer@ufl.edu. [close]
20	Do you offer a Kosher Meal Membership?
	Starting Fall 2008 in conjunction with Hillel Gator Dining Services will offer two fully Kosher weekly meal plans and a Residential Meal Membership upgrade of a 40 block of Kosher meals. Please call Gator Dining for more information. [close]
21	What is pro-ration?
	If you request to modify or cancel your meal membership under one of the three approved circumstances (transferring to Declining Balance during the grace period, joining a fraternity or sorority with a mandatory meal plan component, or graduating, withdrawing, or transferring from UF), then the remaining value of your meal plan will be prorated on a weekly basis (Wednesday through Tuesday), based on the number of weeks remaining in the semester. This method applies to all meal plans, including the 150 Blocks, regardless of how many meals have been eaten. In addition, a $30 administration fee will be assessed for refunds. [close]
22	When does the Meal Membership start and stop?
	The Meal Membership for Fall 2007 starts with brunch on Saturday, August 18, 2007 and concludes with dinner on Friday, December 14, 2007. The Spring 2008 meal membership begins with dinner on Thursday, January 3, 2008 and ends with dinner on Friday, May 2, 2008. Dining facilities will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, Spring Break, and other University holidays. [close]
23	Where can I eat on the Meal Membership?
	The meal portion of the Meal Membership can be used at both all-you-care-to-eat dining halls on campus as well as Home Zone in the Reitz Union food court. You can choose to dine-in or take a to-go box with you. Flex Bucks from the Meal Membership can be used at any of the 35+ dining locations on campus. [close]
24	What if I live off campus?
	Students who live off campus usually opt for a smaller Residential Meal Membership (150 Block), a Commuter Meal Membership (50 or 75 Block) or the Declining Balance option. [close]
25	Where are all dining locations on campus?
	Visit the Gator Dining Map. [close]
26	When do the dining locations open and close?
	Visit www.gatordining.com/hours/. [close]
27	Is there a Faculty/Staff Meal Membership?
	Yes. For complete details and to sign up, please visit www.gatordining.com/FacultyStaff [close]
28	Can anyone on campus purchase a Commuter Meal Membership?
	No. Commuter Meal Memberships are exclusively offered to off campus students only. However, off campus students are able to purchase any of the Residential Meal Memberships or Declining Balance. [close]