Holly Marie Dunfee
Dan Caterinicchia
OSU Meal Plan
What is a “Swipe” Worth?
How Much is a “Swipe” Worth on the OSU Meal Plan?

The Ohio State University meal plan is designed to give students quick and worry-free meal options, but the convenience does not come without a price.
Campus dining services offers seven meal plan options ranging from the Deluxe Plan with 250 swipes per quarter at $6 per swipe, to the off-campus Commuter Plus plan with 40 swipes per quarter at $8.75 per swipe.
Depending on which plan is chosen, there is a cash deposit given to BuckID accounts. The deposit ranges from $100 to $0.
“It is basic marketing. Purchasing a larger dining plan with more swipes is more cost effective, meaning the cheaper each swipe’s individual cost will be,” said Tim Keegstra, 55, associate director of OSU dining services.
The word “swipe” literally refers to the swiping of the BuckID card through an electronic reader to record purchases. A swipe is generally equivalent to a meal, however, depending on the location, a “meal” can vary.
“It is a complicated system,” said Keegstra.
Traditional dining offers all-you-care-to-eat operations with a retail value of $10.50. Students can pay with a swipe.
If the same student chooses to purchase groceries from a campus location, it is a maximum of $5 worth of already high-priced groceries for each swipe. No matter what type of dining plan a student has, in the case of grocery swipes, students are still losing money.
According to Keegstra, it is not cost effective to purchase groceries with swipes. OSU campus dining purchases from the same retailer as the CVS drugstore, which is why the prices for groceries are higher than a local Wal-Mart Supercenter, would be.
“We (OSU dining services) don’t buy in bulk…We’re not a grocery store, which is why we pay higher prices, meaning we therefore have to sell for higher prices,” said Keegstra. “It is not recommended that students purchase all their groceries at Marketplace…you should go somewhere else.”
OSU is gaining more money per swipe depending on the location that a student chooses to spend swipes. University residences and dining services does not view it as making money off of students.
“The money is reinvested,” said Keegstra. “Basically what has happened is that we have added flexibility.”
Having multiple dining options open various hours of the day has associated costs, and employing thousands of workers each year means their paychecks have to come from somewhere.
“In the Union (Ohio Union) alone, I employ 500 to 600 students between all of the operations here,” said Patrick Ionno, 42, the Ohio Union food and beverage director.

“That meal swipe has to be cut up into labor, supplies, food costs, and even the biodegradable containers…which are not cheap.” said Ionno. “We have to stretch a dollar a long way.”
Many would agree that the OSU dining plan is in need of a makeover.
“It is complicated system, really… after all the time I have been here I still don’t know how it works,” said Ionno.
Ohio State dining services are working toward changing the meal plan system to possibly a debit system, but there are no set plans or a known time as to when the changes will take place.
According to Ionno, Ohio State is part of The National Association of College University and Food Services. As a member, OSU can look to other universities for better functioning meal plan possibilities.
“I know they spent all last summer trying to unify the meal plan, but in doing that I am not getting my money’s worth,” said Emily McCallister, 21, a Drake Union employee.
A big part of the meal plan is awareness and education.
“Buy the meal plan that you want and buy what you will use,” said Keegstra. “The swipes don’t carry over, but you have basically a month each quarter to decide if the meal plan you have is right for you.”
Students have the option to change their plan each quarter by buying more or less swipes depending on what they will eat.
“We offer that flexibility and students need to take advantage of it,” said Keegstra.
Zack Meisel, 20, is a third-year student who lives off campus. Even though meal plans are only required of freshmen and expected of on-campus students, commuter plans are an option for those not living on campus.
“Fall quarter I purchased the commuter plan…it was so stupid,” said Meisel. “For 40 swipes I was basically paying $9 per swipe which is outrageous.”
Meisel is no longer participating in the meal plan program, learning his lesson the hard way.
“I can’t cook, so for the last two quarters I’ve mooched off of my younger friends,” said Meisel.
At certain campus dining locations such as Sloopy’s Diner, there are time restrictions in place for using swipes.
“A lot of students use the swipes, so from 11a.m to 2p.m students can only pay with cash (meaning no swipes) to attract more of a cash flow,” said Nicholas Vasques, 23, a server at Sloopy’s Diner.
To be sure, despite the limitations on using swipes as a payment method, Sloopy’s Diner continues to be a popular place to eat.
“People still come because it is a place on campus to sit down and get your meal,” said Jen Faber, 21, a hospitality management student.
Currently there are 10,541 students participating in the meal plan spring quarter. The count is down from the more than 11,500 students who had meal plans in the fall.
This may be because students realize they have the option to “opt-out” of a meal plan. However, there is a $515 dollar facility fee that must be paid regardless.
“It is a functional facility fee…it is a penalty,” said Keegstra.
Keegstra keeps records on the meal plans each quarter in order to track sales and better serve students.
The most popular meal plan is the Scarlet Plus which 2,994 students have, giving 150 swipes per quarter for $8.43 per swipe. Closely following is the Gray Plus which 2,294 students have, giving 100 swipes per quarter for $10.20 per swipe.
According to Keegstra they have tried to unify the program trying to give students what they pay for at each dining location.
However, there are still faults within the system and past advertising from The View Point restaurant and current signs from the Coca-Cola Co. may be charging more for products than what their retail value is actually worth.
Last year, The View Point restaurant on campus advertised Thanksgiving pies to “take home to the family” for only 8 swipes.
“That pie for 8 swipes would equal $80. That alone tells me that they have already secured our money,” said McCallister.
The View Point is now Sloopy’s Diner. OSU dining denies having anything to do with the pie advertising.
“We obviously don’t do that anymore,” said Keegstra.
Currently The Coca-Cola Co. has advertisements in campus dining facilities. In Fresh Express signs say “add a side of Coke” for a swipe. In the Ohio Union, signs read add a Coke and chips for $1.35.
Based on the advertising, it is unclear how much a coke actually costs.
“We have nothing to do with that,” said Keegstra. “It is Cokes doing.”
OSU’s contract with Coke may explain the advertisements.
Payments made to OSU from Coke come from royalty fees and vending commissions. In exchange, Coke receives the right to sell its products on campus as well as sponsorship opportunities and the ability to use OSU trademarks in Coca-Cola advertising, said Ionno.
Whether students choose to participate in the meal plan or to opt-out is an individual’s discretion.
“It all comes down to being an educated consumer…the most economical thing to do is buy the meal plan that you will use,” said Keegstra.



Holly Marie Dunfee
Dan Caterinicchia
Sources for article

Tim Keegstra, 55
Associate Director of Dining Services
Phone: 614.247.8359
E-mail: tkeegstra@studentlife.osu.edu

Patrick Ionno (I-own), 42
Food and Beverage Director
Phone: 614.292.9239
E-mail: jionno@studentaffairs.osu.edu

Zack Meisel, 20
Lantern Editor
Phone: 440.227.4733
E-mail: meisel.14@osu.edu

Nicholas Vasques, 23
Sloopy’s server
E-mail: vasques.2@osu.edu

Jen Faber, 21
Hospitality management
Student
Phone: 330.417.9266
E-mail: faber.42@osu.edu

Emily McCallister, 21
Drake Union employee
Phone: 304.545.0797
E-mail: mccallister.22@osu.edu