North Carolina A&T State University auxiliary services  has incorporated new meal plan options to in order to satisfy every students needs.

Currently, all students residing in University housing, including Aggie suites and Pride, are required to purchase a meal plan. According to auxiliary services, there have only bee seven meal plans since 2001.

Freshmen are required to choose meal plan A, regardless of their preference.

The University and auxiliary services wanted to ensure each student received enough meals for their first year experience.

“When I was a freshman I felt it was unfair that we were obligated to have plan A, when I barely used it. I also felt that we were not giving enough flex dollars. $75 dollars was not enough to satisfy me, especially since I preferred the union over the café,” said Jasmine Wood, a sophomore JOMC major from Chesapeake, VA.

Auxiliary services took surveys and questionnaires from students to gain feedback about what they sought in ideal meal plan choices.

Many committees gathered to give input in the new options. Auxiliary services assembled committees such as; Student bodies Affairs, Housing, Food Advisory board, and Focus groups. There was a committee formulated just for creating the new meal plan options.

The new contract rates and plans are as followed:

Wood favors the new meal options offered, “I think the new meal plans are better for freshmen, they receive $25 more flex dollars than those given in the past.”

Wood plans on purchasing the 25 block plan, which offers 25 meals per semester with $200 flex dollars which totals at $375.

“As a commuter I don’t plan on eating on campus a lot, this fits me best because I currently eat less than 25 meals a semester now while living on campus”.

Freshmen have more options under the new plan. They can now choose from Options U-B, for a total of three new dining choices.

Plans B through G are offered to Upperclassmen and commuter students, with the 25 and 50 Block plans offered to only commuter students.

Kimberly Norman, a sophomore environmental engineer major chose option D: 10 meals per week with $200 flex dollars. Norman often visits the cafe with a group of friends ritually, everyday at least once per day.

“I love the variety of the meal plans, but I hate that the cost of the plans are practically the same,” said Norman.

The new flex dollars will go further on campus as well, according to a University Press release. Simply To Go, which opened in January 2010, and Starbucks also offers dining choices for students.

When selecting a meal plan, students should select carefully. More information about the new dining plans options can be found at www.ncatdining.com.

Signups for the new meal plans began Feb. 22. Students looking to change their meal plan should go to auxiliary services between 8 am. – 5 p.m.

The meal plan options are below:

U: Carte Blanche: Unlimited meals with $75 flex dollars with five guest passes = $1300

A: 19 meals, $175 flex = $1,240

B: 14 meals, $275 flex = $1,300

C: 12 meals, $150 flex = $1,152.50

D: 10 meals, $200 flex = 1,152.50

E: 8 meals, $250 flex = $1,152.50

F: 8 meals, $350 flex = $1,252.50

25 Block: 25 meals/semester, $200 flex = $375

50 Block: 50 meals/semester, $225 flex = $550

G: Declining Balance: $800/semester

• Nisha Streeter