LSUS to offer meal plan for the first time starting this fall

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LSUS to offer meal plan for the first time starting this fall

SHREVEPORT - The Port Grille has been serving up quality food for years, but there's one question prospective students and their families typically ask about LSUS's dining options.

"Is there a meal plan?"

Starting in Fall 2024, the answer to that question will resoundingly be yes.

LSUS is rolling out Pilot Dining Dollars, a student meal plan in which money can be loaded into the student's account and used at The Port Grille or at STACKS, the coffee shop in Noel Memorial Library, and at all vending machines on campus.

Students can start enrolling in the meal plan beginning Thursday in their Pilot Card portal.

The deadline to opt-in to the meal plan is the fifth day of classes, which is Aug. 23 this semester. Initial money must be put toward the plan by that date.

With the creation of the meal plan, financial aid can be used toward a student's meals.

"This initiative will be meeting the needs of face-to-face students because there has been interest for years about accessing financial aid to pay for meals, and Pilot Dining Dollars allows for that," said Trish Farnsworth-Smith, Director of Auxiliary Services at LSUS. "This meal plan is unique from other schools because it's not a requirement, it's an opportunity.

"Students determine how much money they want to put into their meal plan. It gives students a lot of flexibility. This program was designed to make sure that students are given the best affordable options possible."

Students can decide whether to use their financial aid or a credit card to pay for the meal plan. Family members also have the ability to add funds.

The meal plan has a declining balance and can be spent without taxes being charged on purchases.

Unused funds from the fall can be rolled over into the spring and summer semesters, but funds will not roll over to a new academic year.

Offering a meal plan was a priority of Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith as LSUS continues to improve its on-campus experience.

"The meal plans fit well with the overarching goal of admitting more face-to-face students," Smith said. "Our lack of a meal plan would often have prospective students and their parents asking how they would eat.

"The creation of a meal plan removes that obstacle."

The Port Grille isn't a typical school cafeteria - it offers a diverse lineup of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and sides, along with daily specials. Tuesday's special has been dubbed "International Tuesday" in which a meal from a different country or culture is for students to expand their palates. Robust breakfast options are also available. The Port opens at 7:30 a.m. every weekday and closes at 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

STACKS has extended its offerings and will begin serving more than just drinks and pastries. An array of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more will be on the menu starting this fall. STACKS will open at 9 a.m. every weekday and closes at 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

LSUS earned the recognition of being a "hunger-free" campus in part because of the work of its Food Pantry, which offers free food and supplies to face-to-face students, but having a meal plan in which financial aid can be used will further solidify students' nutrition needs.

For more information about Pilot Dining Dollars, visit its webpage or submit questions via email to [email protected].