Union Market offers several meal plan options for the 2012-13 school term. Any plan selected by the student may be accessed with the student’s college ID card. Each plan offers purchase discounts and may be used at Union Market (the college’s main dining facility) or at Cooper’s Corner (the snack shop). Students enrolled in Summer Session classes or working at Union College during the summer session may continue to receive discounted meals.
Dorm Declining Balance (DB) Plan (40 percent discount)
This plan is required for dorm students unless they qualify for the “Dorm 22 Plus Plan”. The cost per semester is $1,350. Of this amount, $850 is a declining balance account which is available for food purchases and entitles the student to a 40% discount off retail prices. The remaining $500 is a mandatory dining services operational fee.
This DB plan also provides a “Rebate Advantage” of up to $300 per semester for students who do not use all of their $850 declining balance account. A student may elect to budget more than the $850 DB on their financial plan. Any unused portion of a budgeted DB balance will be refunded down to a minimum of $550 [$850 less up to $300]. The 40% discount will be applied to all additional purchases.)
Dorm 22 Plus Plan (optional plan, 20 percent discount)
This plan is optional but highly recommended for dorm students who are 22 years of age by September 10. This plan offers a minimum declining balance (DB) purchase of $250 and will entitle the student to a purchase discount of 20%. Purchases over $250 will continue to receive the 20% discount. Unused semester ending balances less than the initial $250 are NOT refundable. The $500 operational fee is waived for students who qualify for this plan. Twenty-two year-old dorm students who plan to eat three or more meals per week at Union Market or Cooper's Corner will benefit from this discounted plan.
Dorm students who are 22 years of age by September 10 and who qualify for discounted dorm rates are NOT required to purchase a meal plan. These students may still use their ID card for purchases at retail prices, but no discounts are available without a meal plan.
Village 250 Plan (optional plan, 20 percent discount)
This plan is designed for students who do not live in the dorm. Village students may elect to purchase a minimum declining balance (DB) account of $250 which will entitle the student to a purchase discount of 20%. Purchases over $250 will continue to receive the 20% discount. Unused semester ending balances less than the initial $250 are NOT refundable. This plan is recommended for village students who eat two or more meals per week at Union Market or Cooper’s Corner.
Purchases that do not fall within one of the meal plans outlined above are not eligible for purchase discounts and will be charged retail rates.
Meal Plans and Your Financial Budget
Students are encouraged to review meal plan cost estimates with their Financial Aid Advisor. Declining balance (DB) estimates may be adjusted to a higher amount. A student does not increase their risk of losing a refund if they budget a higher DB. Budgeted DB balances higher than $550 for dorm students, or $250 for the Dorm 22 Plus or Village 250 plans, will never be lost if not used.