Students looking to satisfy their hunger off campus have many options, but next year’s University dining services prices might encourage students to stay on campus for meals.
Executive director of Auxiliary Services Margot Carroll said next year, for the first time in several years, residential meal plan prices will not increase.
Meal plans cost from $1,923 to $2,093 per semester for students living on campus. Commuter students can choose plans ranging from $462 to $1,814.
Students wanted more flexibility and value with their meal plans, Carroll said, so LSU Dining and Auxiliary Services came up with a plan to satisfy more students.
Carroll said LSU Dining will carefully manage next year’s expenses to make plans more attractive.
While residential dining rates will not change, commuter plans will be restructured to encourage students to purchase voluntary meal plans.
“You’re getting more money than you are paying for and the additional discount at the door,” Carroll said.
Next year, commuter students will be able to purchase 1,100 Paw Points for $1,000 with the new voluntary meal plan. Students paying with Paw Points in the Magnolia Room, the two residential dining halls and The Club at Union Square will also receive a 10 percent discount, Carroll said.
Although there are restaurants near campus and the option of eating at home, Carroll said dining on campus gives students convenience and, with the new meal plans, affordable options.
Compared with other public colleges in the state, the University’s meal plan prices are on the high end.
At Southeastern Louisiana University, meal plans range from $300 to $600 per semester.
For some students, the unchanging meal prices bring relief.
Mechanical engineering freshman Maurice Coleman said when his family purchased his meal plan, they thought the prices were reasonable.
He thinks the plans are affordable, considering the variety of food choices in the buffet-style dining halls.
Coleman said keeping the prices the same would benefit students.
“It’s definitely a good thing. You don’t want to pay more for food,” Coleman said.
Jessica Traina, business junior, has never purchased a meal plan because she did not want to spend the extra money.
Traina said keeping the prices the same is a good idea, given rising college costs.
“You’re getting more money than you are paying for and the additional discount at the door.”

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