Frequently Asked Questions - Dining Services

Dining Services FAQs

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• How do I select a meal plan?

  Freshmen living on campus: The Unlimited Meal Plan will automatically be applied to your account.  Rest easy, the job is done.

  All other students: Select your meal plan through the Money tab on myGate. If you have any questions, please call the RacerCard Office at 270-809-3003 or e-mail racercard@murraystate.edu.

   

  Confused on which plan you're supposed to have?  Double check the meal plan requirements according to your academic and residential status.

• Can I change my meal plan?

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

  You may upgrade your plan, add meals or add flex dollars at any point during the semester by contacting the RacerCard Office.
  
  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 the Dining Services Office at msu.dining@murraystate.edu or 270.809.4600 to see what options may be available.

• 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.

• What are flex dollars?

  Flex dollars are a form of payment accepted only at Murray State campus dining venues.  When you purchase a meal plan, flex dollars are applied to your RacerCard (MSU ID) which you may then use like a debit card with Dining Services. Flex dollars are not subject to Kentucky sales tax so you receive an automatic 6 percent discount with every flex purchase!

  You may purchase additional flex dollars in $25 increments from the RacerCard office on the first floor of the Curris Center. Additional purchased flex dollars do not carry over to the next semester.  If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail racercard@murraystate.edu or call 270.809.3003.

• What is declining balance?

  Declining balance is a Murray State debit account accessed through your RacerCard. The dollars in declining balance may be spent like cash in any Dining Services location, the University Store, and Copy Express - all conveniently located on campus.  Money remaining in your declining balance account will carry over from one semester to the next. 

  Anyone is eligible for declining balance and there is no minimum deposit to open an account.  Freshmen and sophomores must have a meal plan before they may add declining balance.  To open a declining balance account, visit the RacerCard Office on the first floor of the Curris Center or call 270.809.3003. The RacerCard Office accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, cash, check and debit.

  To obtain the amount of funds left on your declining balance you may ask a cashier to check for you in any location where Declining Balance is accepted or come by RacerCard Office.  REFUNDS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF THE SEMESTER OR WHEN THE STUDENT LEAVES THE UNIVERSITY AS LONG AS THE ENDING BALANCE IS $10 OR MORE.

• How can I check my account balance?

  Check your remaining meals, flex dollars or declining balance by asking any Dining Services cashier for an inquiry. Meals and flex dollars do not roll over to the next semester. Any unused meals or flex dollars will be forfeited.

• What if I run out of meals or flex dollars?

  Additional meals and flex dollars may be purchased through the RacerCard Office or you may increase to a larger plan. Visit the office on the first floor of the Curris Center, call 270.809.3003 or e-mail racercard@murraystate.edu.

  Meals cannot be added to flex-only plans (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Copper or Platinum).

• What forms of payment does Dining Services accept?

  Dining Services and its campus venues accepts flex dollars, declining balance, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, cash, check and debit. Meal plan "meals" (on the 150/300 and 175/400 plans) and guest meals (on the Unlimited plan) are only valid at Winslow Dining Hall.
  

   

  Debit transactions must be processed as credit – no entering a PIN.

   

   

  All transactions are for the amount of sale only.  Dining cannot give cash back for check, credit or debit purchases.  Dining cannot cash checks.

• Is there a take-out policy at Winslow?

  Unlike many all-you-care-to-eat restaurants, Winslow Dining Hall does allow take-out.  If requested from the cashier at time of payment, Winslow will provide one beverage cup, a take-out box and utensils.  Up to two entrees and unlimited sides may be taken out of Winslow, as long as everything is inside the provided (and 100 percent biodegradable, we might add) box.

  Unlimited plan holders will be limited to one take-out per day.

• What do I do if I lose my RacerCard?

  Your first action should be to report that it is lost at the RacerCard Office. If it's after office hours, report you card lost at Winslow Dining Hall. Your card will then be deactivated to protect the meals, flex dollars and declining balance remaining on your card. If you find your card, you will need to reactivate it at the RacerCard office before it can be used again. There is no charge for reactivation of a lost card.

  If you do not find your card, you may purchase a replacement card for $20. The RacerCard Office accepts cash, check, credit or debit.

• 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.