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Fraternity & Sorority Alternative Meal Plans

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.

The Essential Plan

$1,007 Per Semester

55 meal swipes & 25 select VIP swipes
Average of 5 Swipes per Week
Comes with 10 Guest Swipes
Averages to $12.59 per meal

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 July 12 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.

The Meal Plan Credit

  • New members will see a credit for the All Access plan (-$2,308) or Silver 150 (-$1,950) on their myBama account.
  • The Essential Plan charge will be applied to the student account in the amount of $1,007.
  • Meal swipes used prior to the downgrade will be deducted from the 55 swipes in the Essential Plan.
  • The credit will be applied to any outstanding balance due before the refund is processed by Student Account Services

Key Policies

  1. 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 150 meal plan.
  2. Downgrade and Credit Process
    • Upon receipt of the bid list, Dining Services will:
      • Automatically downgrade students with active All Access or Silver 150 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.
      • The credit will be applied to any outstanding balance due before the refund is processed by Student Account Services.

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.

Meal Plan Terms Conditions