Meal Plan Frequently Asked Questions

Meal Plan FAQs

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• How do I use my meal plan?

  Your meal plan is accessed with your RacerCard (MSU ID).  To make a purchase at any campus dining venue, all you need to do is swipe the card.

  Meals on the 150/300 and 175/400 plans, and guest meals on the Unlimited plan are valid only at Winslow Dining Hall.  More than one Winslow meal can be used a time, for example to treat friends and family to dinner.  You may spend as many meals per day as you wish.

  Flex dollars are only valid at Murray State campus dining venues.  They are not subject to Kentucky sales tax, so you receive an automatic 6 percent discount with every flex purchase.

• What are flex dollars?

  Flex dollars are a form of payment accepted only at Murray State campus dining venues. Flex dollars may be purchased as a meal plan in and of themselves (see the options at the bottom of this page) or in combination with Winslow meals (see Meal Plan Options) Flex dollars do not carry over from semester to semester. 

  
  

  When you purchase a meal plan, Flex dollars are applied to your RacerCard (MSU ID) which you may then use like a debit card at all Dining Services venues. You receive an automatic 6% discount with every flex purchase! Food purchased with Flex dollars is not subject to KY sales tax.

  
  

  You may purchase additional Flex dollars in $25 increments from the RacerCard Office on the first floor of the Curris Center. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail MSU.RacerCard@murraystate.edu or call 270-809-3003.

  
  

  To aquire a meal plan, use the form on the Money tab of your myGate account. 

  
  

• Is there a limit to how many Winslow meals I may use a time?

  No. More than one Winslow meal can be used a time, for example to treat friends and family to dinner.  You may spend as many meals per day as you wish.

• How do I know how many meals or flex dollars I have left?

  Check your account balance by asking any Dining Services cashier for an inquiry.

• Do meals and flex dollars carry over to the following semester?

  Flex dollars can be spent at Winslow or any retail venues on campus throughout the semester.  In the last two weeks of the semester, Flex dollars may be used to place bulk orders at Fast Track.  Any unused meals or flex dollars left at the end of a semester are forfeited and do not carry over to the following semester. 

• Can I purchase more meals or flex dollars?

  Yes.  Visit the RacerCard Office on the first floor of the Curris Center, call 270.809.3003 or e-mail MSU.racercard@murraystate.edu. Flex dollars may be purchased in $25 increments.  Additional meals may be purchased in any quantity. Flex dollars do not carry over from semester to semester. 

• Can I change my plan?

  Any meal plan changes must be made during the first month of the semester. You may change your meal plan through the Money tab on myGate. You may also visit the RacerCard Office on the first floor of the Curris Center or call 270.809.3003.  Please allow a few days for processing.  Your account balance may be adjusted to reflect any meals/flex dollars spent before the change.
  
  

  If you are having difficulty with the use of your plan or have purchased a plan that now seems too big for your purchasing habits, please contact Director Paula Amols at 270.809.6990 or pamols@murraystate.edu, to see what options may be available.

• Can I receive a refund on my meal plan?

  In accordance with the approved Board of Regent Refund policy, Dining Services cannot offer refunds on any meal plan (used or not used) after the first 30 days of the semester.  A copy of the MSU Refund policy may be found at:
  http://www.murraystate.edu/Admissions/BursarsOffice/ProRationOfCharges.aspx

  
  

  If you have questions about meal plan refunds, visit the RacerCard Office on the first floor of the Curris Center, call 270.809.3003 or e-mail msu.racercard@murraystate.edu.

• Do I have to have a meal plan?

  Depending on your academic classification or where you live, you may be required to have a meal plan.  See the policies below.

  Freshman: Unlimited Plan
  Sophomore: Unlimited, 175/400 or 150/300 plan
  Junior*: May purchase any plan. No requirement.
  *Juniors receiving Regional Tuition Discount: If you do not have a Housing contract, you must choose a Copper, Platinum, Unlimited, 175/400 or 150/300 plan.
  Senior: May purchase any plan. No Requirement.
  Commuter – any academic status: May purchase any plan. No requirement.

• Can I be exempted from a meal plan?

  To be exempt from the meal plan requirement, you must complete an exemption form within the first month of classes. Since exemptions are only valid for one semester, you must reapply at the start of each term.  Download the form or request one at the Dining Services Office on the first floor of the Curris Center. Please return it to the office or mail to 101 Curris Center, Murray, KY 42071.

  Freshmen and sophomore students (defined as students who have compiled fewer than 60 hours of college credit) are required to have a meal plan for at least four semesters. Exempted from this policy are students who:
     1. Have reached their 21st birthday prior to the first day of registration.
     2. Are veterans of at least two years' active military service.
     3. Are married.
     4. Commute to school daily from the permanent, legal residence of their parents (within 50 miles).
     5. Have resided in residence halls for four semesters, excluding summers.

  Exemptions are rarely granted if you do not meet the listed criteria.

  
  

  Housing and Meal charges are automatically assessed to all freshman and sophomores. Students that are commuting from home (not living in a residential college) must submit a housing exemption to the Housing Office. It is YOUR responsibility to check your MyGate student account to make sure these charges are removed. Meal plan charges will not be removed after February 15, 2013 for the Spring '13 semester. 

• What if I have food allergies or special dietary needs?

  Dining Services will accommodate all the dietary needs of its students.  To set up a meeting or discussion with a member of our nutrition staff, e-mail winslow.nutrition@murraystate.edu.