Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Block Plans and Carte Blanche?
Carte Blanche allows unlimited access to our two All-You-Care-To-Eat Student Restaurants; Rathbone and Brodhead. The Carte Blanche plan also includes 10 Meal Credits per week.
Block Plans include an allotment of Meal Swipes / Credits. Meal Swipes are accepted at Rathbone and Brodhead. For example, if you are on the 200 Block Plan, you have a total of 200 Meal Swipes / Meal Credits per semester.
A Meal Credit is a cash value applied to your food purchases at retail locations on campus for those times when you don't eat in Rathbone or Brodhead. Meal Swipes / Credits do no carry over from fall to spring semester.
What's the difference between Dining Dollars and GoldPLUS?
Dining Dollars are included with all meal plans and can only be spent at on campus dining locations. Unspent Dining Dollars roll over from fall to spring, but any remaining balance is forfeited at the conclusion of the spring semester.
GoldPLUS works like a debit account, but is encoded right on the Lehigh ID card. GoldPLUS is open to all students, faculty and staff with a valid Lehigh University ID card. GoldPLUS is accepted at hundreds of locations on and off campus, and the balance carries over until you graduate, upon which any remaining balance will be refunded.
If I live off campus, can I still select a meal plan?
If you are attending in-person classes, yes, you may select any of our meal plans!
What is a Meal Credit?
When you purchase a meal plan, you have the added benefit of meal credits that you can use at our retail dining locations across campus.
A Meal Credit is a cash value applied to food purchases at retail locations on campus for those times when students don't eat at Rathbone or Brodhead. This increases the flexibility of a meal plan. In exchange for a regular meal swipe students receive a credit toward the total cost of their retail purchase. The balance of the purchase can be paid with GoldPLUS, Dining Dollars or cash, credit or debit.
There are some restrictions depending on meal plan selection. Students participating in the Carte Blanche may use up to 10 meal credits per week at retail dining locations.
Meal Credit Amounts:
- Breakfast $5.00
- Lunch, Brunch & Dinner $7.00
Meal Credit Times:
- Breakfast.......................7:00 a.m. - 10:29 a.m.
- Lunch...........................10:30 a.m. - 4:29 p.m.
- Dinner...........................4:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday ||| 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday - Saturday
How can I add Dining Dollars?
Visit go.lehigh.edu/housing and select 'My Housing and Dining Portal' or simply click here
How do I add a Meal Plan?
Visit go.lehigh.edu/housing and select 'My Housing and Dining Portal' or simply click here
How do I change a Meal Plan?
Visit go.lehigh.edu/housing and select 'My Housing and Dining Portal' or simply click here
How do I check my Meal Plan balance?
You can ask any cashier for your balance or check your balance online by following the steps below. Visit go.lehigh.edu/housing and select 'My Housing and Dining Portal' or simply click here
How do I check my Dining Dollars balance?
You can ask any cashier for your balance or check your balance online by following the steps below. Visit go.lehigh.edu/housing and select 'My Housing and Dining Portal' or simply click here
How can I budget my meal plan?
Check out our ALL-NEW Meal Plan Budget Guide which can help you maximize your meal plan for the semester.
What are the dining hours of operation during academic breaks?
As we enter academic breaks, our on-campus dining locations will have modified hours of operation or will close. Check back soon for our academic break hours for the 2024 - 2025 academic year.
Why can't I use my Meal Plan to swipe my friends in?
Meals on a person's account are to be consumed by the person on the ID card. Purchases for others using these meals are not part of the plan. Guest passes are to be used for precisely that purpose. However, guest passes are not included in all meal plans. Dining Dollars and GoldPLUS can also be used to purchase guest meals.
Is it true I can use Grubhub to order pick up or delivery from on campus dining locations?
Yes! We have a great partnership with Grubhub which allows students to order pick up from any on campus retail dining location or delivery from Hawk's Nest. Students can pay for their orders using Meal Credits, Dining Dollars, GoldPLUS, credit or debit. Please click here to learn about all of the benefits Grubhub has to offer the Lehigh community.
Are breakfast and continental the same meal period?
Yes. We have three (3) meal periods Monday - Thursday: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Hot Breakfast begins at 7am at Rathbone and 7:30am at Brodhead, and resumes until 10:00am at all locations. Continental Breakfast (bagels, cereals, muffins, etc.) is held between 10:00am and 10:30 a.m. Hot Breakfast and Continental Breakfast are both considered the same general meal period, even though the meal selection changes.
Where can I eat with a Meal Plan?
Meal Plans are accepted all on-campus dining locations.
Where can I use Dining Dollars?
All Lehigh University Dining Service locations accept Dining Dollars. Fud Truk, The Talon and The Purple Pita also accept Dining Dollars.
What are the door rates at Rathbone and Brodhead?
We accept credit, debit, Dining Dollars and GoldPLUS at our all-you-care-to-eat student restaurants.
Door Rates for the 2024 - 2025 academic year, effective August 24, 2024.
- Breakfast - $13.50
- Lunch - $19.25
- Brunch - $19.25
- Dinner - $20.50
- Specialty Dinner - $21.80
Why do I have to leave the Dining Room at 10:30am if I already paid for breakfast?
The Lunch period begins at 10:30 a.m. Students must swipe in during each meal period.
What happens to meals if I don't use them?
Carte Blanche and Block Plan balances are available for use during the entire semester until they are exhausted. Dining dollars carry over from Fall to Spring semester ONLY.
What do I do if I lose my ID?
Report your lost or stolen card to the GoldPLUS/ID Office at (610) 758-6169 located in the LU Ideal Office at University Drive and Taylor Avenue. If the office cannot be reached, the voicemail will explain what to do after hours or on weekends.
What happens if my LU ID is lost, stolen or forgotten?
Your Lehigh ID is your personal identification and should be with you at all times to access your residence hall, academic building, meal plan and/or GoldPLUS account. It should be safeguarded it at all times. For your protection, your LU ID must be presented to a cashier at any Lehigh Dining venue or swiped at any self-checkout kiosk to access your meal plan / Dining Dollars / GoldPLUS. Students may not borrow another student’s LU ID.
Lost or Stolen LU ID
If your LU ID card is lost or stolen, you are strongly encouraged to immediately deactivate your card (Building Access, GoldPLUS and Meal Plan) on the student portal. More information and specific instructions can be found here.
A replacement LU ID card may be obtained at the IDEAL Office, located at 42 University Drive, during regular office hours (see ID Card Office Home).
If your card is lost or stolen outside of IDEAL Office hours, please see your Gryphon to obtain a Red Card for admission to Rathbone or Brodhead Student Restaurants.
Forgotten LU ID
If you are at a dining location and forgot your ID, we kindly ask that you go retrieve your ID.
Why do I have to remove my ID from my key chain or lanyard?
Key chains and lanyards must be removed in order to prevent damaging the card reader or cash register.
What if I don't live in Brodhead, but I wish to have access to dine at Brodhead House?
You can complete this form to request access.
What if I need assistance with getting and carrying my food to a desired seating area?
Ask any of our staff at any dining location across campus, and we will be happy to assist you with whatever you may need.
I am sensitive to certain food and on a special diet. Who should I go to for help?
Lehigh Dining has a full time Registered Dietitian on campus to navigate your best dining options on campus. Rathbone Dining Hall features Simple Servings, which offers a complete meal minus the seven top food allergens plus gluten. Simple Servings was developed to address the growing number of students who arrive on college campuses with special dietary needs. Simple Servings' plain and simple wellness-promoting foods also appeal to guests who are focused on ingredients, nutritional value or portion sizes for weight control, blood sugar control or other health reasons. You can contact our dietitian at dietitian@lehigh.edu.
What's a meal deal?
A meal deal is a special promotion unique to our retail cafes. A meal deal is worth 1 meal credit, or 1 meal swipe.
At Common Grounds, you can get a 6" meatball sub, bag of chips, and 12 oz water for 1 meal credit/swipe.
What happens if I fall sick or if I am seriously injured? Can I still get my meals?
Yes. With authorization from the Health Center, please contact dining services at 610.758.5169 or Rathbone Dining Hall at 610.758.4169 or 610.758.1530 (Rathbone Student Restaurant) to arrange meal pick up.
Who do I talk to if I'd like to request catering?
The Catering Office can assist you in placing your order at (610) 758-4512.
How can students provide feedback to dining services?
Comment cards are available at all locations. Students may ask for a manager at all locations. You may also submit feedback online by clicking here.
How do I request a meal plan reduction or exemption?
Meal Plans may be changed according to the meal plan requirements through the tenth day of class each semester. To change your meal plan, Visit go.lehigh.edu/housing and select 'My Housing and Dining Portal' or simply click here. Meal plan exemptions or reductions will only be considered for those who demonstrate a financial hardship or special dietary consideration, including food allergies. These requests will be vetted through the appropriate departments and students who submit a request will be contacted regarding next steps in the review process. To submit a request for a meal plan exemption or reduction, please click here.
If I move off campus, can I drop my Meal Plan? Will I be reimbursed?
Meal Plan refunds after the start of the semester for students who register and/or purchase meals on a Meal Plan but withdraw from the University or move off campus will receive a meal plan refund prorated according to the number of unused weeks remaining on the plan. Dining Dollars are non-refundable. Any student suspended or expelled from the university will not be granted a meal plan refund. A student suspended may receive a prorated meal plan credit based on the week following the last meal purchased, which will be used toward the purchase of a meal plan the semester immediately following the period of suspension.
I live in the Residence Halls but work a lot and miss some meals... What options are available to me? What Meal Plan would be appropriate for a first or second-year student in my position?
As a first-year student, you have the option of Category 1A (Carte Blanche) or Category 1 (225 Block Plan or 200 Block Plan). The Carte Blanche, 225 Block Plan, or 200 Block Plan are per semester and may be a more flexible option for a busy student. Upper Class student meal plan selection depends upon where you live. Please visit our Plan Options page for more information on meal plan options.
If I add Dining Dollars to my account, how long must I wait before they can be used?
Funds are typically available within one business day.
Do you offer student internships?
Yes, we offer a student internship program. Please send resumes to e00124@lehigh.edu.