Fraternity & Sorority Alternative Meal Plans
At the University of Alabama, students living in on-campus housing are required to participate in the Residential On-Campus Meal Plan. However, for those joining on-campus organizations such as fraternities or sororities with mandatory meal plans offering a minimum of 10 meals per week, there is an alternative option: the Essential Plan. This plan includes 55 Block Meals and 25 Retail Meals per semester, offering flexibility for students who also dine within their organization.
Eligibility and Process for Returning Members
Returning fraternity or sorority members required to maintain a meal plan offering 10 or more meals per week can reduce their Residential On-Campus Meal Plan to the Essential Plan.
- Deadline: Returning members must submit their reduction request through myBama by Thursday, July 29, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Process for New Members
New fraternity or sorority members with similar meal plan requirements will have their meal plan automatically downgraded to the Essential Plan. This process is initiated after Dining Services receives the official new membership list from the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
- Membership List Deadlines:
- Fall Semester: Lists due by September 30.
- Spring Semester: Lists due by February 15.
- Downgrade Processing: Completed by Dining Services the week after the membership list is received.
- Responsibility: Students must verify the downgrade by reviewing their student financial account. No downgrades will be processed for lists submitted after the deadlines. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Key Policies
- Changing Plans for Non-Members
- Students subject to the Residential On-Campus Meal Plan who do not accept a bid or deactivate from their organization must notify the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. This will reinstate their original All Access or Silver 125 meal plan.
- Downgrade and Credit Process
- Upon receipt of the bid list, Dining Services will:
- Automatically downgrade students with active All Access or Silver 125 plans to the Essential Plan.
- Subtract any previously used meal swipes from the Essential Plan’s 55 swipes.
- Credit the student’s account for the difference between the original and downgraded meal plan.
- Credit Application:
- Applied to any outstanding balance on the student financial account.
- If no balance exists, the credit will be refunded to the most recent credit card used.
- If no credit card was used, a direct deposit will be processed.
- Upon receipt of the bid list, Dining Services will:
Important Notes
- Students are responsible for confirming their meal plan downgrade by regularly checking their student financial account.
- No changes or downgrades will be processed after the established deadlines.