Dining Services

• Welcome to UW-L Dining Services
• UW-L Dining Website
• Catering
• Dining Service Committee
• Dining Services Newsletter
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Off-Campus Meal Plans
• Residential Meal Plans
• Faculty/Staff Block Meal Plan
• Staff Payroll Deduction Form
• Rules & Regulations
• Campus Cash
• What's on the Menu?

Welcome to UW-L Dining Services

UW-L Dining Services offers an assortment of different dining locations to meet the variety of needs and desires of the campus community. Both University Centers and Sodexo are excited about what we have to offer to the campus community.

• Catering Guide

• CaterTrax Online Ordering

Dining Services Newsletter

The Dining Services Newsletter is published monthly during the academic year, providing students with information regarding dining options, specials and other details.

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Off-Campus Dining Plan

The Block Meal Plan is ideal for the students who move off-campus yet would still like to eat on-campus on a semi-regular basis. 

The Block Meal Plan is not restricted to dining areas, but can be used whenever each of these areas is open.  The cost of the Block Plan is:

Block Plans can be purchased in 223 Cartwright Center.

The Block Meal Plan can be used at:

• All students living in the Residence Halls are required to participate in the Dining Plan. This is a requirement of the Board of Regents, and is an integral part of the student's college experience.  Students can choose from the Basic 19 or Basic 14 plans.  Failure to sign up will result in automatic enrollment in the Basic 19 dining plan.  Students living in Reuter Hall may sign up for the Reuter Block Plan instead of one of the meals-per-week plans.
• Students registered for a dining plan must present their University ID prior to entering the serving areas. 
• Meals may also be purchased on a cash basis at the dining locations. 
• ID's are not transferable, misused ID's will be confiscated.

• Basic 19 Plan
  • 19 meals per week-can use up to 3 guest meals per week 
  • $1,225.00 per semester 
  • $75.00 of Campus Cash is included.
• Basic 14 Plan
  • 14 meals during the week-can use up to 3 guest meals per week 
  • 5 Guest Meals to use for the semester
  • $1,205.00 per semester 
  • $75.00 of Campus Cash is included.
• Reuter Block Meal Plan (Reuter Hall Residents Only)
  • 75 meals each semester.  
  • $620.00 per semester
  • Additional meals may be added in blocks of 10 for $50.50.
  • $50.00 of Campus Cash is included.

• Meal plan week starts on Sunday with breakfast and runs through Saturday dinner. 
• Every Sunday morning the meals reset for the next week.
• Unused meals do not transfer over from week to week.
• Any Campus Cash included with your meal plan that is remaining at the end of the fall semester will transfer to spring semester, but is not carried over to the next academic year. The campus cash is not refundable.

Faculty/Staff Block Dining Plan

The Faculty/Staff Block Meal Plan is ideal for University faculty and staff members who eat on-campus on a semi-regular basis. 

The Block Meal Plan is not limited to transfer hours, but can be used whenever each of these areas is open.  The cost of the Block Plan is:

Block Plans can be purchased in 223 Cartwright Center.

The Block Meal Plan can be used at:

Rules & Regulations

The Contract:

UW-La Crosse has an exclusive contract for providing dining services on the UW-La Crosse campus.  This contract is held with Sodexo. The exclusive contracts are done to enable a guaranteed level of business for the potential contractor.  As part of this contract, a commission on all sales is returned to the institution.

Some events and facilities are excluded from the contract. Examples of the exclusions are:

In addition there is a policy stating that small groups may bring in snack items/non-meals (no pizza) not to exceed $100. For more information about this policy, feel free to contact Dr. Mary Beth Vahala.

Rationale for Using the University Contractor:

The first rationale is the contract.  Any outside use could be considered a contract violation, putting UW-La Crosse in a breech of contract situation. 

Secondly, there is financial incentive.  Prices may be higher-because of the commission paid back to the University-but, the money paid back to the institution is often used to support various programs on the campus. 

Thirdly, there is a liability concern.  Sodexo is required to have liability insurance.  In addition, as the University's legitimate dining service provider, the State of Wisconsin coverage is also in effect.  Any outside contractor, even if used for off-campus events should be providing comparable liability coverage.  If this coverage is not available, the individual sponsoring the event could be held personally liable, as the state's insurance policy may not be in effect.

Funding Sources:

There are many funding sources available at the university. Any expense that will be paid by University administered funds must follow UW-System Policies and Procedures. There are other rules that will apply if an individual is using a Student/Faculty account or a Foundation account.

The allocable student activity fee (Segregated University Fees) has some specific guidelines for expenditures.    Some of these rules include:

Refreshments may be funded for receptions open to the entire student body.

Meals, receptions, and transportation incurred by UW faculty or staff or students performing a host function for a guest speaker, performer, etc, brought to the campus for a SUF funded activity, if such expense was part of the budget approved for the activity.

If the organization holding the banquet or reception or presenting the awards receives  SUF support, the institution Segregated University Fees Allocation Committee (apportionment) must specifically approve the expenditure as part of the SUF budget prior to the event.

Pot Lucks:

It is difficult to prohibit offices from having Pot Lucks socials with homemade food.   The primary concern with Pot Lucks will be one of liability.  The individuals hosting the event will be assuming the liability for any food borne illness that results. Potlucks are permitted by the dining contract.