Which meal plan is best for my student?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions. This decision has a lot to do with an individual’s eating habits and lifestyle. We have found that for students who prefer to eat several smaller meals during the day, the Unlimited or Unlimited + meal plans are the best choice since your student will never run out of meals. They also offer the flexibility to stop into the Dining Commons as often as you like, even if only to have a small snack or a cup of coffee. The DC Basic Plan offers 224 meals per semester, averaging to 14 meals per week. The DC Basic Plan is good for students who go home often on weekends, or packs their own meals when on campus. If a student on the DC Basic Plan is running low on meals, upgrading to either Unlimited meal plan through SPIRE or the meal plan office is available at any time during the semester.
Can I upgrade my student’s meal plan anytime?
Yes, any meal plan can be upgraded on SPIRE at any time during the semester.
How often can my student eat if they are on the DC Basic Plan?
Students on the DC Basic Plan can eat as often or as seldom as preferred, however, the DC Basic Plan averages to about 14 Meals per week – 224 meals per semester.
How can I purchase, change or cancel a meal plan? Are refunds available?
Students may change or cancel (if eligible) their meal plan by 5pm on the last day of Add/Drop period. Changes are to be made on SPIRE. There are no meal plan downgrades or cancellations after Add/Drop period. Click here to order, change or cancel your meal plan!
Students may upgrade their meal plan at any time on SPIRE during the semester and pay only the difference in price between the old and the new meal plan.
Students withdrawing from the University will have their meal plan refunded as per the Registrar’s Office refund schedule.
For more information, please call the Meal Plan Office at 413-545-5380.
Are there any daily or weekly limits to my student’s meal plan?
All of our meal plans (both residential and YCMP Off-Campus) are block plans and there are no daily or weekly limits.
What if my students runs out of meals?
If a student on the DC Basic Plan or YCMP Gold or YCMP Platinum runs out of meals at any time during the semester, students may upgrade their meal plan to Unlimited or Unlimited Plus on SPIRE at any time during the semester or they can purchase Additional Meals in Blocks of 10 on SPIRE. Please call the Meal Plan Office for more information at 413-545-5380. Students are advised to use their meal plans wisely as meals do not carry forward and there are no refunds for meals remaining at the end of the semester.
What are guest meals?
Guest Meals are invitations to bring someone to dine at the dining commons with you. Each residential meal plan offers 15 guest meals per plan. With the exception of Unlimited DC meal plan, this plan does not include guest meals or dining dollars. With YCMP or YCMP Off-Campus, you can bring a guest to eat as often as you’d like by using an additional YCMP meal swipe per guest.
How convenient is it to eat at the dining commons?
All dining commons are open continuously from breakfast through dinner, 7 days a week and Worcester and Berkshire offer late night options Sunday through Thursday. Breakfast on the Run and Grab ‘n Go lunch options are available during the week at all dining commons when you don’t have the time to sit and eat. During Exam Periods evening hours are extended.
Can my student use their meal plan at the football concession?
Students are welcome to use their YCMP, Meal Exchanges or Dining Dollars at the football concessions stands. The food operations open an hour before game time and run through the 3rd quarter.