Noah Fishman, Staff Writer—

With the 2023-2024 academic year beginning, Denison University decided to change up its meal plan system. In the past, students chose from several different plans, one offering infinite swipes at Curtis and Huffman, but limited flex dollars, and the others offering only various amounts of flex dollars. The new system does not provide any choices but rather defines meal plans based on grade. 

Freshmen have 21 free dining hall swipes per week, with $150 in flex. Sophomores and juniors have 15 dining hall swipes with $835 in flex. Seniors on the other hand have $3,000 in flex, $1,000 of which can be spent at participating Granville businesses. Additionally, freshmen can spend $50 of Flex in Granville, and sophomores and juniors can spend $100. 

“I like the meal plan because I get to use my money at restaurants in town and I can also use it to buy groceries,” Ellie Reiser ‘24 said. “I think it should have been implemented a while ago, they should have started partnerships with restaurants earlier.” 

While the plan may be ideal for some seniors, lower-classmen have expressed some concerns. “I think maybe there should be at least enough swipes for three meals a day,” Bob Cestari ‘26 said. With only 15 swipes per week, Cestari must think strategically about when and where he eats.

“I think the new meal plan is similar to other universities’ meal plans,” Greta Koserick ‘26 said, “but I did like our meal plan before, that we could use our declining as we see fit.” 

While flex dollars can still be used in this way, freshmen, sophomores and juniors do not have access to as much ‘flexible’ money as they used to, and freshmen have the least by far. “I don’t think the meal plan is bad, I just wish we had more flex dollars,” Natalie Omahen ‘27 said. 

Despite some mild complaints, students seem to be liking the new meal plan. 

“I’ve had no complaints about it, it seems like it’s going really smooth,” Huffman Cashier Linda Sue Sloane said. “We’ve had more [students] here this year than we’ve had in the past, absolutely. It’s going really well.”

“It is a better plan [in terms of food security] because you know you’re going to have those swipes every week,” said Huffman Café Manager Rick Poulos. “You’re not going to burn through them. You’re not going to have to call Mom and Dad and say ‘I can’t eat today.’ It makes sure that food insecurity is not an issue. It does mean that you guys have to eat in
dining halls more, so we are ramping up these dining halls to try to be
successful.”