USM introduces new $300 per semester guaranteed Dining Dollars for undergraduate students (2024)

The University of Southern Mississippi has introduced a new meal program that will feature $300 in guaranteed Dining Dollars each semester, which school officials say will offer more flexible dining options for students at the various eateries around campus.

Under the plan – which begins in the fall 2024 semester – all full-time, in-person, undergraduate degree-seeking students will have that $300 billed directed to their student accounts as part of university charges. Those funds may be used as cash at any of the 15 dining locations on the Hattiesburg campus, as well as at athletic events.

“These Dining Dollars were introduced, really, as part of our long-term vision and plan for enhancing our on-campus options, and providing additional options to students,” said Nicole Ruhnke, who serves as chief communication officer for the university. “We heard from our students and our student leaders who were wanting more options, and have expressed the need for enhanced dining opportunities on campus.

“So in order for us to meet those needs of our students – which is certainly something they need and deserve and something we want to provide for them – these Dining Dollars will allow for us to make those enhancements and improvements as capital investments on our campus.”

To use the Dining Dollars, students can swipe their student ID or use the Get app on their mobile phones at any retail dining location or athletic event. As those charges are made, the amount of the purchase will be deducted from the prepaid credit amount.

In addition to the new program, students will still be able to select other meal plans online at www.usm.campusdish.com.

“Previously, students were able to select their meal plan based on various involvement and requirements, and they are still able to do that for their traditional, base meal plan,” Ruhnke said. “This (new program) is an additional Dining Dollar that will be added to their account for all dining locations.

“They can use it at athletic events, they can use it at any of the locations, as opposed to some of the meal plans that are a little bit more restrictive based on which option they select.”

All students who meet the above requirements – and who are under the age of 25 – are required to participate in the new program.

Ruhnke said school officials have heard from both sides of the student body on the matter – many who support it and some who are against the measure.

“Many students are excited to have the flexibility for spending, especially with the opportunity for them to use these dollars at athletic events, which is something that’s not typically been able to use their meal plan dollars for,” she said. “So the flexibility of these dollars is very appealing to most students.

“Of course, this is a new program, and so we have heard concerns from our students who are returning to campus. Those who have situations where they may be studying abroad or in a practicum opportunity, or an internship or a student teaching situation where they simply will not be in Hattiesburg, they have the option to submit that information to our Eagle Dining office. They’ll be considered on a case-by-case situation, based on their situation for the academic school year.”

To complete that process, or for more information on the new program, students are encouraged to visit the Eagle Dining office at 118 College Drive, #5063 on the USM campus, or call (601) 266-5376.

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