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Meal Plans 101

Having a meal plan means more than just convenience - it's your key to enjoying craveable meals across campus. With chef-inspired menus, local ingredients, and sustainable practices, your dining experience is as dynamic as campus life.

What is a Meal Plan?

A Meal Plan unlocks delicious meals, coffee, snacks, and more, at 6 locations across campus. Your Meal Plan includes Meal Swipes and Bearcat Bucks, conveniently loaded onto your Lander Student ID. No need to carry additional cards or cash!

  • Students residing in university residence halls have the option to select from 
    the All Access or 165 Block Plan.

  • Students residing in Bearcat Village or McGhee Court can select from all 
    meal plan options, excluding the Bearcat 350 & the Bearcat 150.

  • All commuter students will receive the Bearcat 150 plan with the opportunity
     to upgrade to any larger plan. Commuters can upgrade their meal plan 
    anytime via Student Accounts in LC 111, 864.388.8303. 

All meal plans are purchased on a per semester basis, expiring at the end of each semester. Unused block meals and Bearcat Bucks DO NOT roll over. Voluntary Bearcat Bucks (funds added to meal plan) roll over from Fall semester to Spring semester only.

Your student ID card identifies you as a holder of a meal contract and must be validated by the Business office. Your student ID card must be presented to the cashier at each meal — a procedure necessary to prevent unauthorized persons from using services for which you have paid. Student ID cards are nontransferable and are not to be given to another student for any purpose. The student ID card and meal plan may only be used by the owner. Resident students must present their ID card prior to entering the dining hall. Any student transferring his/her Lander ID card to another person is subject to disciplinary action.

Please reach out to dining@lander.edu with any questions.

Your Meal Plan Access

  • Meal Swipes

    Meal Swipes give you access to The Underground Dining Experience, our all-you-care-to-eat dining hall, offering a variety of delicious and fresh options for every meal. The All Access plan comes with unlimited meal swipes and the Block Plans come with a set amount of meal swipes per semester.

  • Bearcat Bucks

    Bearcat Bucks are prepaid funds that can be used at any campus dining location to conveniently purchase food, snacks, and beverages. 

  • Meal Exchange

    Meal Exchange lets you trade a Meal Swipe for select menu items at participating campus retail locations, giving you more flexibility on the go. As part of selected plans with meal swipes, students are given the ability to use a set number of their meal swipes at retail dining operations (all except Starbucks). Click to view the identified meal exchange deals at each location that can be selected and used as a meal swipe.

    View Meal Plan Exchange Menu

  • Guest Meals

    The All Access Plan, 165 and 100 Block Plans include 10 Guest Meal Swipes. Guest meals can be redeemed at The Underground Dining Experience for visiting friends and family.

Don't Miss These Dates

Mark your calendar! Each semester, important dates like the start of meal plan usage, when to make changes, and deadlines for billing and sign-ups keeps your plan running smoothly.

 

August 16th:  Dining Services Begin

Dining Services begins and you may start using your meal plan.

 

August 22nd:  Last Day to Change Meal Plan

Last day to change your meal plan.

 

November 26th-28th:  Thanksgiving Break 

Campus is closed. 

 

December 5th:  Fall Classes End

 

December 16th:  Last Day of Fall Meal Plan

Fall meal plans end at 10am this day.

 

January 8th, 2026:  First Day of Spring Meal Plan 

Spring meal plans begin at 11am on this day.

 

January 12th, 2026:  First Day of Spring Classes

 

Hungry For More Info?

Find the perfect meal plan, explore flexible options, or get oriented with your campus dining experience.

  • Find Your Fit

    Use our recommendation tool to find the perfect meal plan that matches your campus needs.

    Find Your Perfect Plan

  • Meal Plan Brochure

    View our meal plan brochure full of meal plan information and so much more!

    Download Our Brochure

Dine With Confidence!

Manage your meal plan with ease. Learn how to check your balance and set alerts.

Meal Plan FAQs

Have questions about your Meal Plan? Our FAQs are here to help you learn everything you need to manage your plan and make the most of campus dining. From how to get started to maximizing your benefits, you’ll find the answers you need right here.