Meal Plan FAQ's

Am I required to choose a meal plan?
All first-year students who live in University housing (excluding Calhoun Courts, Lightsey Bridge I and II Apartments and Thornhill Village) are required to subscribe to one of the four resident meal plans for their first two semesters, Fall and Spring. All other students have the option of selecting any meal plan on a semester basis or pay for individual meals.

Failure to participate in a meal plan does not automatically release a student from the requirement to subscribe to a meal plan. First-year students who are required to subscribe to a regular meal plan but do not do so and first-year student who subscribe to either of the meals per semester plans will be assigned the Any 15 Plan and will be held responsible for the associated charges.

As a first-year student living on campus, what are my meal plan choices?
Four meal plans designed to make college dining easier and more enjoyable are available during fall and spring semesters. All meal plans include the "all-you-care-to-eat" policy in Harcombe,Schilletter and Clemson House dining halls. Meal plans allow one entrance during a meal period, with the exception of the Plus Unlimited or Unlimited Access Plan, which allows students to enter dining halls any number of times per day.

Two meal plans offer added value with "Paw Points," which can be used in lieu of cash at any Clemson Dining Services operation. Paw Points carry forward from one semester to the next semester or until depleted. See the Fall 2011/Spring 2012 Meal Plans link on the left for more information.

Can I eat in the dining halls if I don't have a meal plan?
You can purchase meals on a cash basis at Harcombe and Schilletter dining halls at the following rates:
- Breakfast: $5.99 plus tax
- Lunch: $7.79 plus tax
- Dinner: $8.39 plus tax

When does the meal plan begin and end?
Meal plans do not cover meals during fall break, Thanksgiving break, Christmas break and spring break. 

If I am an upperclassmen, can I drop my meal plan?
Upperclassmen and first-year students living in off-campus apartments, Calhoun Courts, Lightsey Bridge I and II, and Thornhill Village may drop their meal plans without a fee on the Monday or Tuesday prior to the first day of classes at Brackett Hall during walk-through registration. After that, you may drop a meal plan at the Tiger 1 Card Office on the following dates:

Fall 2011 Semester Drop/Change Dates:
9/5/11
9/7/11
9/12/11
9/14/11

Spring 2012 Semester Drop/Change Dates:
1/23/12
1/25/12
1/30/12
2/1/12

If I am a first-year student, can I drop my meal plan?
First-year students living in University housing during their first two semesters, Fall and Spring, (excluding Calhoun Courts, Lightsey Bridge Apartments and Thornhill Village) may terminate their meal plan for the following reasons:

a. Withdrawal from the University;
b. Change in housing assignment to an apartment mentioned above or off campus;
c. Medical condition with dietary requirements that cannot be met by Dining Services (Documentation from a medical doctor must be provided along with specific dietary requirements. This documentation will be reviewed by Clemson Dining Services administration.); and
d. Other circumstances determined by the University to be beyond the student's control.

First year students must provide the necessary documentation for any of the above reasons before cancellation of a meal plan will be considered. Upperclassmen may terminate a meal plan for any reason. Students will be responsible for all fees related to the termination of the meal plan. 

How does the Tiger Stripe Account work?
The Tiger Stripe Account is equivalent to a prepaid debit card. You deposit funds into the account and use your Tiger 1 Card to make purchases at participating University facilities. The amount of purchase is deducted from your Tiger Stripe Account balance. All students are eligible to participate; however, participation in the Tiger Stripe Account does not fulfill the freshman meal plan requirement. For further information about a Tiger Stripe Account, visit the Tiger 1 Card office in Harcombe or online at tiger1.clemson.edu.

How are Paw Points, Optional Paw Points and Tiger Stripe funds different?
Paw Points are part of a meal plan. They may be used in the dining halls, Chili's Too, Fernow Street Café, Canteen, Cornerstop, Paw Mart, Eastside Food Court, Java City, Einstein Bros., any of the convenience stores and Seasons by the Lake restaurant (at the Madren Conference Center).

Optional Paw Points can be purchased separate from a meal plan. They can be used at any on campus dining location, excluding The '55 Exchange.

For full information about Tiger Stripe, please visit the Tiger 1 office located next door to Harcombe Dining Hall or visit them online at http://tiger1.clemson.edu/.

What if I lose my card?
Please report lost cards immediately to the Tiger 1 Card office or log onto tiger1.clemson.edu, click on "Tiger 1 on-line card office" and click on "suspend card." You will be issued a replacement card for a nonrefundable fee. The University is not responsible for any loss or expense resulting from the loss, theft or misuse of the Tiger 1 Card.

How may we serve you?
We rely on students to tell us what they want so that we can continually provide outstanding service. We value your feedback and have several channels for communication, including student government representatives, housing resident assistants, comment cards and a Web page. We especially encourage you to talk with the location managers about dining service concerns. A Registered Dietitian is available for individual consultation by appointment.

Need a job?
The Clemson Dining Services contractor offers four scholarships and employs more than 200 students. For further information about employment opportunities, contact ARAMARK at (864) 656-6985.