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Meal Plan FAQ

What can I buy with a meal swipe?

There are a few options! Meal swipes can only be used to purchase food on campus. Students will be able to use meals swipes to enjoy “All You Care to Eat” at some residential dining halls, including E. Bronson Ingram, Rothschild, Zeppos and Commons Dining Center.

At retail locations, such as Rand Dining Center, the Kitchen at Kissam, Munchie Marts and Cafés, students will be able to purchase plated meals, bowl meals, or a delicious grab and go more details below!

How often can I use meal swipes?

For the 2024-2025 academic year, there is no daily limit on the number of times you can redeem a meal in most locations. There is a 45 minute cooldown period between swipes in residential dining locations (Commons, EBI, and Rothschild).  Students can redeem a maximum of two meals per day in Munchie Marts.

Meals Swipes at Residential Dining Halls: All-You-Care-To-Eat

One swipe is all you need to enjoy as much food as you need to fill your belly!

Meal Swipes at Retail Dining Locations: Rand Dining Center, Kitchen at Kissam, Munchie Marts & Cafés

When you swipe at a Retail Dining location, you can pick and choose how you use your swipe!

Plated Meals: This is traditional meal including your choice of an entrée, side(s), and a drink!

Bowl Meals: Sometimes, food just tastes better in a bowl. Use a meal swipe to build your own bowl at Rand or Kissam, or pick up a grab and go Bowl at our Munchie Marts, then pair it with an additional side and a drink!  Signage is available in each location, specifying what comprises a complete meal swipe.

Additional Questions:

To purchase a meal plan, visit: vanderbi.lt/mymealplan

All Vanderbilt students living on campus are required to have meal plan.  Students are automatically enrolled into a meal plan based on your year at Vanderbilt. Example: Sophomores receive the Upper-Division Plan, with 305 meals per semester.

If you are a Vanderbilt Student who lives off campus, you do not need to purchase a meal plan but can purchase any of residential meal plan.  They are the same plans that are offered on campus, yet are taxed.

For off-campus students who wish to purchase a meal plan or those who want to upgrade your meal plan, you may do that here

All Vanderbilt students living on campus are required to participate in a meal plan.  On-campus students will be automatically be enrolled in a meal plan based on a student's cohort year at Vanderbilt. Example: Sophomores receive the Upper-Division Plan, with 305 meals per semester.

If you are a Vanderbilt student living off campus, you do not need to purchase a meal plan but can opt-in to any residential meal plan. They are the same plans that are offered on campus, yet are subject to TN state sales tax.

Meal plans are a required component of the residential undergraduate cost of attendance and exceptions are not granted.

(Students residing at OHARE at the Village at Vanderbilt are considered on-campus for the purposes of meal plan requirements)

For the 2024-2025 academic year, there is no daily limit on the number of times you can redeem a meal in most locations. There is a 45 minute cooldown period between swipes in residential dining locations (Commons, EBI, and Rothschild).  Students can redeem a maximum of two meals per day in Munchie Marts.

Vanderbilt takes great pride being named "Best Overall Food Allergy Program, 2021 and 2023" by MenuTrinfo.  Most all of our food in dining halls have allergens clearly marked, and can be viewed on our NetNutrition menu builder at vu.edu/menus. In addition, all residential dining halls are certified peanut and treenut free, with the exception of Rothschild. For further questions, please reach out to our Registered Dietitan, for assistance on navigating your way through Vanderbilt's dining facilities. Emily Svennevik, MPH, RD, LDN at dietitian@vanderbilt.edu.

Vanderbilt Campus Dining takes its role seriously in providing healthy and nutritious options for all students - including those with unique dietary preferences or allergies.  To help find menu options that fit everyone's unique needs, we encourage students to visit our NetNutrition menu planning tool at vu.edu/menus.  For more comprehensive information regarding special dietary requirements and how to navigate any accommodatoins, our Registered Dietitian, Emily Svennevik, is available to meet privately and confidentially with students.  Emily can be reached via email at dietitian@vanderbilt.edu.  For quick nutrition questions, you can now text Emily directly - simply text "AskEmily" + your question - to 55744 from your mobile device.

The Commodore Card Office has a great website that allows you to view your account status online here

You may also download the GET app to be able to easily check your balance on the go. 

Faculty staff can buy meals in bundles of 10 using a credit card here

These are two different accounts with separate funds.

  • Meal Money is an additional debit spending account available for food purchases. Meal Money can be used at on-campus dining locations, vending and Munchie Marts as well as off-campus participating Taste of Nashville restaurants. With the student VU Meal Plan, you will receive an alotted amount per semester of Meal Money. 
  • Commodore Cash is a debit spending account which can be used to make cash-free purchases at any campus location that accepts the Commodore Card (your student, faculty or staff ID). This account does not come with the VU Meal Plan, but may be added as you see fit. Money on this account is taxable and is fully refundable. The locations to use Commodore Cash include: 
    • Dining Locations
    • Vanderbilt Bookstore
    • Vanderbilt Printing Services
    • Munchie Marts
    • Vending
    • Laundry and Copier Machines
    • Sarratt Ticket Desk
    • Post Office
    • Athletic Concessions
    • Outdoor Recreation Center

Vanderbilt Campus Dining offers a culinary program that reflects the rich diversity of our student body, incorporating menus that support a wide range of tastes, preferences, and restrictions, including those based in faith, cultural backgrounds and religious restrictions.

As part of our continued work to support students of all faith backgrounds, Campus Dining is proud to offer Halal and Kosher certified items at locations across campus.  For more details, visit https://campusdining.vanderbilt.edu/kosher-halal-dining/.

Meal plans come with 5 guest meals per semester. Guest meals are the equivalent of a meal sqipe and may be used at any time throughout the semester for guests on Vanderbilt campus. 

Still have questions? Send us an email – dining @vanderbilt.edu! We’re always happy to help!