Meal Plans
No matter your dining needs, we have a meal plan option to meet them. The meal plans we currently offer are:
- 19 Meal Plan — 19 meals in a one-week period including $190 flex dollars per semester
- 16 Meal Plan — 16 meals in a one-week period including $160 flex dollars per semester
- 14 Meal Plan — 14 meals in a one-week period including $140 flex dollars per semester
- 5 Meal Plan — 5 meals per week with no flex dollars (only available to Claremont Collegiate Apartment residents, off-campus students, or those who have been approved for a reduced meal plan)
- 0 Meal Plan — No meal plan (only available to off-campus students or those who have been approved for a reduced meal plan)
For current information on meal plan pricing, visit the Tuition and Fees page.
Flex Dollars
The 19, 16, and 14 meal plans come with flex dollars (also called “board plus”), which you can spend at all 5C dining halls and most on-campus eateries. Flex dollars are perfect for swiping someone in, buying a quick snack between classes, or just getting an extra meal at a dining hall you’ve never tried before.
Special Dietary Needs
If you are on a special diet, need a higher-calorie meal, or have specific food allergies, make sure to indicate this on your housing application. Our dining hall team will work with you to meet your specific requirements.
If you have questions or need more in-depth information, contact our dining manager, Miguel Menjivar, to discuss meal accommodations.
More Information
Meal Periods
There are 19 meal periods per week: three on weekdays (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and two on weekends (brunch and dinner). If you’re on a 16- or 14-meal plan, we recommend using your flex cash or Claremont cash for an extra meal, or dining off-campus in Claremont Village.
Extra meals don’t carry over, so make sure to use all your swipes each week.
Meal Plan Dates
Your meal plan will start with brunch on the day you move in (for fall and spring semesters) and end with dinner on the day before residence halls close (for winter break and summer break)
Meal Plan Changes
If you’re planning to decrease the amount of your meal plan, you’ll have to submit your changes by emailing housing@chihue.com two weeks before the first day of classes at the latest. You can upgrade your meal plan at any time, and costs will be prorated to the day you made your request.
If you don’t have a meal plan, want to use your flex/board plus dollars, or want to swipe in a guest, that’s no problem. Our door rates are listed below:
Breakfast
- Guests: $14.75
- Faculty/Staff (with College ID): $8.25
- Flex Dollars: $5.00
Lunch
- Guests: $17.75
- Faculty/Staff (with College ID): $10.00
- Flex Dollars: $6.00
Dinner
- Guests: $20.75
- Faculty/Staff (with College ID): $11.75
- Flex Dollars: $7.50
Children (5–12 years old): $7.50
Please note that the flex dollar rate only applies to the amount loaded onto your student meal plan at the beginning of the semester.
Breaks
- Fall and Thanksgiving Breaks: Meal plans remain active, but dining hall hours will change. Be sure to check your email or the McConnell website for updated hours.
- Winter Break: Meal plans are inactive and all dining halls are closed.
- Spring Break: Meal plans remain active, but dining hall hours will change. Be sure to check your email or the McConnell website for updated hours.
- Summer: Meal plans are not available, but you’ll be able to spend your Claremont Cash at any open dining hall. McConnell is not open over the summer.
Early Arrivals and Late Stays
- Early Arrivals: If you’re arriving early on campus through an approved group or advisor, you’ll likely receive information about pre-board plans. If you’re arriving early on campus as an individual, or if you haven’t received information about pre-board plans, contact housing@chihue.com.
- Late Stays (Fall and Spring): If you’re staying late on campus, you’ll need to find meals off campus, as McConnell and other 5C dining halls will close at the end of the fall and spring semesters.
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we’re moving away from disposable to-go boxes. Instead, you’ll be given one green to-go box at the beginning of your stay, which you’ll return to the dining hall after each use.
Once you return your dirty green box, you’ll be free to pick up a new one at the dining hall, or deposit the green box to pick up a new one another day.