The freshman were the main target audience for the new meal plan. They were the first students informed about these changes during their orientation over Labor Day weekend. All the returning students were informed by signs in the Student Center and Jerde proclaiming that all students with board plans must eat at Jerde. Students said that was a shock since last year nothing had been mentioned last year to the students, even though supposedly at the food committee meetings students had wanted these changes. Nieman said that even the Student Center workers had not been informed of the decision before the students.
Students now have six meal plans from which to chose.
The two original plans, The Open Dining Plan Plus and The Open Dining Plan, are still in effect. However, there are four other meal plan options. These plans, The First Class Plan, The High Class Plan, The Best of Both Worlds, The Best of Both Worlds 2, are the plans that can be used at both Jerde and the Student Center. The declining balance is also a new addition to the numerous changes in the meal plan options. According to Nieman, students will be able to come to the Student Center to find out their current balance on their cards.