1. Eligibility

1. Students, faculty, and staff living off campus may purchase a meal plan online.
2. All students living in the residence halls are required to select either the Unlimited, Block 160, or Weekly 14 meal plan, unless they are assigned to a room with a University-supplied kitchen.
3. Students living in a room with university-supplied kitchen also have the option of a Block 50 meal plan.
4. Returning students or transfer students assigned to a room with a University-supplied kitchen may opt out of a meal plan.
5. Residence hall students who do not select a meal plan online will be assigned the Unlimited meal plan.

2. Dates

1. Meal plans begin at the start of the contract date and continue while classes are in session.
   1. Fall semester meal plans begin August 15, 2026, and end on December 19, 2026. Market Places will close for Fall Break.
   2. Spring semester meal plans begin January 16, 2027, and end on May 15, 2027. Market Places will close for Spring Break.
2. Meals are served seven (7) days a week at various locations across campus. Hours may be found online: dining.uiowa.edu/.
3. UHD may adjust hours and/or locations open and will post updates on the dining website.

3. Costs

1. You agree to pay the meal plan rate determined for the university by the Board of Regents. Your rate is determined by the meal plan you select.
2. Meal plan charges will be billed at the beginning of each semester.
3. The Board of Regents reserves the right to change the approved contract rates during the term of the contract upon giving 30 days’ notice.

4. Usage

1. You must present your Iowa One Card (University of Iowa ID) to the cashier to use your meal plan or Dining Dollars.
2. The use of your ID number without your card is not permissible.
3. If your Iowa One Card is lost or stolen, you must report it immediately to the One Card Office.
4. UHD is not responsible for fraudulent transactions.
5. To help ensure meal plans are used fairly, a 15-minute reuse delay is placed on your Iowa OneCard. Additional swipes used before the 15-minute reuse delay expires will be declined.
6. Students with Unlimited, Block 160, or Weekly 14 meal plans have 5 guest meals per semester to allow a guest to eat with them.
7. Unlimited and Block 160, meal plan swipes do not carry over from one semester to the next.
8. Weekly 14 meal plan swipes reset on Sundays and do not carry over from one week to the next week.
9. Dining Dollar balances carry over from Summer to Fall to Spring and do not expire until the end of the Spring 2027 semester – May 15, 2027.
10. Unused meals are forfeited at the end of each semester. Unused Dining Dollars are forfeited at the end of the Spring semester and non-refundable.
11. Students with the Unlimited, Block 160, Weekly 14, or Block 50 plan are entitled to one complimentary Market2Go container for the semester and will be charged for each additional container they take without returning the previous container. University Housing and Dining 2
12. Market2Go meals may not be eaten in the marketplaces, and students will be charged an additional meal if they do so.

5. Dining Dollars

1. Dining Dollars are a University tender that are a component of the meal plans or may be purchased separately.
2. Dining Dollars have no value at any location outside of the UHD locations on campus.
3. Dining Dollars are not considered to be Laundry Dollars and may not be used interchangeably.
4. Dining Dollars are not transferable or refundable.
5. Dining Dollar only plans, or the purchase of additional Dining Dollars, are considered to be a voluntary purchase and are not eligible for a refund after purchase.
6. Dining Dollar balances carry over from Summer to Fall to Spring and do not expire until the end of the Spring 2027 semester, May 15, 2027.
7. When making a purchase with Dining Dollars, if there are insufficient funds, the remaining balance will be charged to your U-Bill. If your U-Bill is not set up to accept charges, you will be responsible for paying the remaining balance with a credit card.
8. Dining Dollars do not have a single limit transaction cap, provided it is less than the balance of Dining Dollars in your account.
9. Dining Dollars will not be distributed as part of the Hawkeye Meal Share program.
10. Dining Dollars cannot be used for the purchase of catering services from University Catering.

6. Health and safety

1. As in any community dining establishment, dining on campus brings many individuals in contact with one another, such as students, staff, faculty and community members. UHD will implement reasonable public health and safety measures regarding infectious diseases as recommended by the applicable public health authorities. UHD strongly encourages all individuals to follow the recommended public health guidelines, but it cannot control the behavior of any particular individual. As a result, the University is not and will not be liable for any public health threat to which a student or visitor may be exposed, including but not limited to the transmission of any infectious diseases, such as but not limited to COVID-19.
2. Students and visitors are strongly encouraged to practice responsible hygiene habits and other health-related practices as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and other applicable public health authorities.
3. UHD does not assume any liability for adverse reactions to food/drink consumed, the presence of a foreign body in food or drink, or items with which one may come into contact while eating or drinking or purchasing items at any University dining location, convenience store, or retail location.
4. Service Animals (a dog or miniature horse trained to do work or perform specific tasks for a person with a disability) are the only animals permitted in University dining locations. Emotional support animals are not permitted.

7. Dietary needs and restrictions

1. Menus in the marketplaces satisfy nutritional needs for the majority of medical dietary requirements and religious or lifestyle practices. Students with food allergies or special diets should work with a UHD nutrition specialist or a location manager regarding their specific needs. A Dietary Needs Request must be submitted with valid supporting documentation for staff review.
2. UHD cannot guarantee the accuracy of food safety and nutrition information. Food items are labeled with common allergens based on ingredient information provided by manufacturers. Nutrition and ingredient information may vary due to product substitutions and formulation by the manufacturer prior to being purchased by the University.
3. UHD implements reasonable health and safety measures but is not and will not be liable for any cross-contact or cross-contamination that may occur.

8. Changes

1. Meal plans may not be sold or transferred to any other individual.
2. You may change your meal plan online during the first few weeks of each semester.
   1. Fall semester meal plan changes must be made online by Sunday, August 30, 2026.
   2. Spring semester meal plan changes must be made online by Sunday, January 31, 2027.
3. If you move to a room with a university-supplied kitchen, you have five (5) business days from the effective date of the transfer to change your meal plan.
4. If you move from a room with a University-supplied kitchen, to a room without a kitchen, you must choose either the Unlimited, Block 160, or Weekly 14 meal plan within five (5) business days. If a meal plan is not chosen, the Unlimited plan will be assigned.

9. Cancellations

1. Only returning residents and transfer students living in a room with a University-supplied kitchen may cancel their meal plan based on the dates provided in the meal plan change section 13.h.ii. above.
2. If your housing contract is cancelled or terminated, your meal plan will be cancelled.
3. All cancellations will be subject to the meal plan refund schedule regardless of purchase date or actual usage: dining.uiowa.edu/meal-plan-refunds.

10. Refunds

1. Meals missed because of late move-in, specific diets, religious or lifestyle beliefs and activities, employment, or classes scheduled during the meal hours are not refundable.
2. Refunds for cancelled meal plans will be made based on the weekly refund rate schedule, regardless of the number of meals eaten. This schedule may be found on the dining website: www.dining.uiowa.edu.
3. Dining Dollars are non-refundable.
4. Refund requests based on prolonged illnesses or unavoidable absences in excess of seven (7) consecutive days may be considered and must be provided in writing with documentation to Contracts and Assignments. Valid supporting documentation expectations:
   1. Medical emergency – provide a written statement from your medical provider.
   2. Family emergency – provide a written description of the emergency that is verifiable.
   3. Military service – military orders or a letter from your commanding officer.

11. Meal contract terminations

1. In the event all or a portion of the UHD system and/or supply chain becomes unavailable, as determined by the University, due to an unforeseeable circumstance including, but not limited to, natural disaster; fire; flood; tornado; war; embargo; health epidemic or pandemic; quarantine; riots; civil disobedience/unrest; strikes, lockouts, or other labor disturbances; acts of God; or declaration of emergency, the University may modify or terminate this contract without prior notice.
2. The university is not responsible for providing alternate dining to the student once a contract is terminated.
3. Credits or refunds for unused meals may be issued at the university’s discretion.