Dining Plan Terms and Conditions

All students living in an on-campus residence hall are required to purchase one of Campus Dining’s three residential dining plans.
UM Campus Dining currently offers the All-Campus, Food Zoo Exclusive, and Food Zoo 15 dining plans for students with an active University Griz Card. Each of our plans are different, and are tailored to accommodate unique dining preferences.
- The All-Campus plan provides a weekly dining plan fund of $78.75, which can be used in all Campus Dining locations with the exception of UM Concessions, UM Catering and the Iron Griz: American Bistro on the University of Montana golf course. Each time you dine, the account will be debited appropriately. Unused weekly dining fund balances are not carried forward from one week to the next and no refunds are issued for unused balances.
- The Food Zoo Exclusive plan offers unlimited entrances to the Food Zoo anytime the dining room is open. This plan includes $200 in flex dollars which can be spent at any Campus Dining location with the exception of UM Concessions and UM Catering.
- The Food Zoo 15 Dining Plan offers 15 entries to the Food Zoo per week (Monday-Sunday). This plan includes $50 in flex dollars which may be spent at any Campus Dining operation with the exception of UM Concessions and UM Catering.

Utilizing dining plan

Dining Plans are activated the first day of orientation every semester and are available for use on your Griz Card. Griz Cards are nontransferable. The pictured cardholder is the only person who can use that card. Griz Cards must be in readable condition. If a temporary card is being used, you may be asked to provide a photo ID.

Periods where dining plans are not active

Residential dining plans are active only during academic semesters. Dining plans and flex dollars will be activated on the first day of orientation and deactivated the last Sunday of each academic semester.
Weekly dining plan funds and meal swipes are prorated based on the number of dining periods Campus Dining is open during these breaks. Dining plan guests residing on campus during these periods can use their unused flex dollars or Bear Bucks. Bear Bucks are available for purchase online or through the Campus Dining Main Office in the Lommasson Center, Room 114. Not all Campus Dining locations are open during these weeks; the schedule and hours are available on the UM Dining site. There are two exceptions where dining plans are not active during academic semesters:
- Thanksgiving week (Wednesday – Saturday; Food Zoo opens for dinner Sunday
- Spring break
- Dining plans are not active during summer break.

Guests

Each dining plan comes with five guest meals for the Food Zoo. After these five meals are exhausted, you may use your weekly dining plan funds to host a guest at the Bear Bucks entry price. You must accompany your guest. Dining plan funds are nontransferable.

Lost or stolen Griz Cards

Report missing Griz Cards immediately. Report your Griz Card lost online 24 hours a day or call 406-243-6943 during business hours, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Once you report your Griz Card as missing, it is deactivated to prevent unauthorized use of your privileges including door access, ticket pickup, dining plans and UMoney. Per the Griz Card Terms and Conditions, you are responsible for any activity with your Griz Card prior to reporting it lost or stolen. More information about this process is located on the Griz Card website.

Dining Plan Changes and Cancellations

It is Campus Dining's policy to allow dining plan participants to downgrade their dining plan once each semester, provided the downgrade takes place no later than 42 days from the start of dining plan activation for the current semester. Dining plans may be upgraded at any time during the semester. Dining plans may be canceled if accompanied by an approved Housing Checkout Authorization Form or verified email approval provided in person or via email. The last day to cancel a dining plan and receive a prorated refund is no later than the 42nd day from the start of dining plan activation for the current semester.

A $25 cancellation fee will be assessed for canceled dining plans.

Cancellation fee exceptions: The $25 cancellation fee will be waived for the following reasons:

The student is part of a group that is only here for part of the semester.

Withdrawal for medical reasons (UM Housing must receive the proper documentation and provide the correct explanation on the Checkout Authorization Form).

Withdrawing due to active military duty.

Cancellation is requested prior to the start of the semester -or- the student’s dining plan was never used, and the student never moved into on-campus housing (“no shows”).

All dining plan changes and cancellations are facilitated through the Campus Dining Main Office in the Lommasson Center, Room 114, and processed on the Monday following the request.

Changing dining plans

You may change to a dining plan of greater value anytime during the semester.

Dining plan funds on your Griz Card will be adjusted accordingly.
Your student account will be updated and charged 24-48 hours after our office processes your request.
If you have already paid your fees, you may pay the difference with cash, check, or credit card with Student Accounts in Business Services.

If you wish to move to a less expensive dining plan, you must do so no later than 42 days from the start of dining plan activation for the current semester

Dining plans are prorated weekly and downgrades are processed on the Monday following your downgrade request
The plan change will be updated and refunded 24-48 hours after our office processes your request.

If you request to move out of a residence hall and your request is approved by UM Housing, you must notify Campus Dining prior to moving out of the residence hall if you wish to cancel your dining plan. A completed and approved Housing Checkout Authorization Form must be presented in order to cancel your dining plan. You will need to indicate which option you prefer:

Option I: Keep your dining plan for the duration of the semester
Option II: Receive a refund based on the weekly prorated refund schedule, less a $25 cancellation fee. The deadline for this option is no later than the 42nd day from the start of dining plan activation for the current semester. No refunds will be issued after the 42nd day of the start of the semester.

If you withdraw from the University

You must notify Campus Dining in person prior to leaving the University. You will need to present a copy of the Housing Authorization Checkout Form and proof of withdrawal from the registrar’s office. You are required to fill out a dining plan release form. Under special circumstances, an email is acceptable with verified approval from UM Housin
A refund will be issued in accordance with the weekly prorated refund schedule
Campus Dining will process your refund, less the $25 cancellation fee, if applicable, from the date we receive official notice of withdrawal from UM Housing.

Students or their parents may request an exception to the requirement for students living on campus to have a dining plan. With any dining plan exemption there is a four-step process Campus Dining will follow before a decision is made. This process can take a few weeks

The student will meet with the registered dietitian and executive chef to discuss specific dietary needs
The registered dietitian and executive chef will form a recommendation as to whether or not an exemption would be appropriate
The recommendation from the dietitian and executive chef is provided to Campus Dining associate directors for approval. If the dining plan exemption request is related to a medical condition, a signed note from a healthcare provider must be submitted acknowledging that that the student is under the care of a physician
The Campus Dining director will consult with the associate directors, Office for Disability Equity, and UM Housing to make the final decision as to if an exception will be made.