Guide to DIning
Welcome to Alvernia University
There are many meal plan options at Alvernia. From full-time to part-time, non-traditional to evening, all students will find a meal plan that is flexible, accommodating, and provides nutritious, delicious options.
On behalf of the Aladdin Dining Service Staff of Alvernia University, we are pleased to welcome you to an exciting year on campus! We have a delicious menu of dining options that will help make your academic experience more enjoyable. This Guide to Dining Services is designed especially for you – so keep it handy and welcome to Alvernia University.
Dining Hall Meal Plan Info and Policies
Resident Meal Plans
All first-year residential students are required to participate in the Unlimited Meal Plan or 14 Meal Plan. Meal swipes and Bonus Dollars do not carry over from semester to semester.
Unlimited Meal Plan
+Unlimited swipes in our all-you-care-to-eat Student Center Dining Room
+ $100 Bonus Dollars
+ 5 meal exchange per week
14 Meal Plan
14 meals per week in our all-you-care-to-eat Student Center Dining Room
+ $250 Bonus Dollars
+ 5 meal exchange per week
190 Block Plan
190 meal swipes per semester to use any time in our all-you-care-to-eat Student Center Dining Room
+ $125 Bonus Bucks
+ 4 meal exchange per week
150 Block Plan
150 meal swipes per semester to use any time in our all-you-care-to-eat Student Center Dining Room
+ $200 Bonus Dollars
+ 4 meal exchange per week
110 Block Plan
110 meal swipes per semester to use any time in our all-you-care-to-eat Student Center Dining Room
+ $200 Bonus Dollars
+ 3 meal exchange per week
75 Block Plan
75 meal swipes per semester to use any time in our all-you-care-to-eat Student Center Dining Room (this plan does not include meal exchanges)
+ $50 Bonus Dollars
75 Block Plan
75 meal swipes per semester to use any time in our all-you-care-to-eat Student Center Dining Room (this plan does not include meal exchanges)
+ $200 Bonus Dollars
75 Block Plan Reading CollegeTowne
75 meal swipes per semester to use any time in our all-you-care-to-eat Student Center Dining Room. Must be a resident at 401 Penn Street - Reading CollegeTowne (this plan does not include meal exchanges)
+ $750 Vern Bucks
Vern Bucks
Vern bucks may be used in all of our dining outlets. When purchasing Vern bucks, patrons are given a 10% bonus of the dollar amount requested. Students may add Vern bucks when they deplete their bonus bucks. Vern Bucks do not expire.
To add more funds go to office of Student Accounts
Meal Plan Exchange
Students on a meal plan have the option to use a meal swipe at the Courtside Café or Freshens at the Plex. The amount of exchanges allowed in one week depends on the meal plan. Meal plan exchanges are provided during the hours of 11:30am to 7:00pm, Monday through Friday and reset Thursday at Midnight.
Food Service Committee
The Residence Hall Council Food Committee assists the Dining Service in the task of planning and evaluating services. If you have ideas about the Student Center, Courtside Cafe, Kestral Cafe, and/or Freshens meal options, quality, or service; you may contact a dining committee member or any of the Aladdin management staff here at Alvernia.
Special Dietary Needs
Students with special dietary needs should consult with the Wellness Center before contacting Food Service. All efforts will be made to meet the special needs of the student. A student who is ill and unable to come to the Dining Hall for meals may have a friend pick up a meal for them at the Dining Hall. A note from the student’s Residence Life Coordinator and their Student I.D. Card are required. If a required school activity prohibits you from attending a meal(s), we will pack a meal(s) for you. Please have your department head or coach request your needs two days in advance with the Dining Manager.
TO-GO Containers
Every student will receive a reusable container to be used in the Student Center Dining Room. This gives students the freedom of taking their meal to go. When the used container is returned to the dining room a new clean container will be issued for the next meal.
Feeling bad?
We understand that there is nothing more miserable than being ill and unable to make it to meals.
If you are too ill to attend class or come to the Dining Room, you should obtain a special dietary request form from the Director of Dining Services. When presented to Aladdin personnel, along with your ID card, a take-out box will be provided.
Registered Dietician
Alvernia’s dining program and registered Dietitian (R.D.) will work with parents, school nurses, teachers, and health care providers to help manage students’ food allergies and special diets by:
»Working with physicians, dietitians, or qualified nutrition specialists to manage dietary substitutions.
»Knowing where emergency medications are stored and knowing how they should be administered in case a student has an allergic reaction.
»Reviewing menus with parents or students who have food allergies to determine what, if any, menu items need to be substituted.
Special Events
Everyone looks forward to our monthly buffets and special events. We have holiday-themed menus and events throughout the year. Please keep an eye on table tents, banners, and events calendar informing you of what is coming.
Lost Card Policy
You must present your ID card to the cashier each time you enter the Dining Hall. Please do not ask the cashier to admit you without your ID card. If you lose your ID card, you MUST purchase a new one.
Service Regulations
Your understanding and observation of the following regulations will guarantee smooth, efficient operation of the Dining Hall.
- Students must obey the University personal appearance regulations while in the Dining Hall.
- Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times.
- You are not permitted to take food from the Dining Hall.
- To avoid waste, you should choose one entrée when entering the served lines. More entrees are available for seconds.
- After dining, please return trays to the dish return and leave your table and chairs neat and clean.
- Please behave courteously at all times.
- You will not be granted credit for any meals missed.
- We also ask that you abide by all of the Aladdin policies.
Dining Area Restrictions
Removal of food or dinnerware from the dining area
Use of electronics devices that detract from the dining experience of other guests
Playing of personal music devices without headphones
Leaning back in Dining Room Chairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to have my card?
ID cards are swiped to keep track of meals used. Having your ID card ready when at the cashier helps to reduce time spent waiting in lines. Taking names and numbers redirects our labor from being used to increase your dining experience to doing data entry. Human error while manually entering ID numbers could result in a meal being taken from someone incorrectly, potentially resulting in them being denied a meal! The proper use of ID cards is helpful to us all!
Why cant I take food out of the dining hall?
Although you have access to all you can eat while in the dining hall, we cannot allow food to be taken out. This is both for financial as well as food safety reasons. Please adhere to this policy.
Why dont you have more vegetarian options?
We have many vegetarian options! Look for fresh veggies at the Balance 365 as well as vegetable options at the Comfort Zone. Pizzas often contain a wide variety of different vegetarian toppings (located right by that pasta station 😉 )
Our Showthyme action station is always willing to adjust their recipe to include vegetarian options, such as tofu for stir-fries. Just ask!
If you are having trouble finding something, don’t hesitate to get assistance from any of our staff. We’re here to help!
Dining Hall personnel reserve the right to dismiss or suspend you from the dining area for inappropriate behavior.
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