There are changes on the horizon for the meal plans offered at Ashland University. Starting in the fall ’11 semester, new meal plans will be available for selection. These changes have been brought about with help from students, who gave key input on their actual dining habits. This information helped lead to the changes in the plans.

There have been several key enhancements to the meal plan options.

One of the biggest changes is the option for students on selected plans to use a meal swipe at The Eagle’s Nest, Tuffy’s Smoothie Bar, or the newly created Schar Café. This café, located in the Schar College of Education building, is a grab-and-go location, where students can catch a meal if they’re in a hurry or just don’t feel like going to Convo.

This option will surely be a welcome addition to those who like a meal on the go. Maybe that’s not your style though; maybe you fancy a slower paced, sit-down style meal in Convo. Well you’re in luck! Another key change is the unlimited meal plan. This will allow students to come and go to Convo as they please, as many times as they want to. No more wasting a swipe on some fruit or a doughnut if you’re not that hungry. There’s no limit on the amount of times you can go.Another key addition is the ability for students on selected plans to use swipes for guests, any day of the week and for any meal. If Mom and Dad stop by for dinner and don’t feel like eating fast food, bring them to Convo to sample the wares; this new change allows for this luxury.

“Now I can bring my friends from home to Convo and not have to pay a hundred bucks!” sophomore Dan Griffin said. “That’s just classy.”

“Classy” is a great word to describe these new meal plans because they will give students more bang for their buck.

“We have been working with the students to try to come up with a plan that would offer more value without resulting in any reductions in quality or service,” Mathew Portner, director of auxiliary services said. “These new options will truly be flexible meal plans.”

This flexibility will benefit all students here at AU, including commuters. The commuter meal plan is still in place, which will allow commuters to enjoy a tasty meal in Convo. The Eagle Dollar system will also still be in place, with students having the ability to load dollars onto their cards from the book store, business office, eagle card office or online.

With all these options available, it will be a tough choice for students.

Choose wisely though, because once the academic semester has occurred, there can be no changes to meal plans. This is another important change and must be taken into consideration, while making the decision.

All of these changes should make for a great year in dining next year.

Whether you like fast meals, the full sit-down dining experience, a light snack or anything in between, the new meal plans will provide for your needs. Now that’s flexible and there’s nothing in this world quite like food and flexibility.