Kosher Meal Plan Information

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Welcome to a new academic year at the University of Maryland.  On behalf of the entire Maryland Hillel Dining Team, I would like to thank you for participating in our dining program. We are excited to introduce our delicious meal plan options, which include a contemporary, crowd-pleasing selection of many of your favorite foods along with some of our own tasty specialties.

Click Here to Register for Fall 2012

Frequently Asked Questions

How is pricing for the Kosher dining plans calculated?

Maryland Hillel contracts out to Sodexo Campus Services who manages our Kosher Dining services.  Prices are calculated by analyzing the number of students and meals, food cost, and Mashgiach expenses per school year.   Currently, Maryland Hillel does not have an endowment fund that supplements the cost of the Kosher Dining Program.  All costs are for services rendered.

Why do we need to purchase a Platinum Full Meal Plan?

The University requires all students living in a traditional dorm room (rooms not equipped with a kitchen) to be registered for a full meal plan.   If your student lives on campus in a traditional dorm room and chooses a Kosher meal plan he/she must have a Platinum Meal Plan with Maryland Hillel.

Our UMD statement reflects a University dining charge, but we purchased a Kosher Dining Plan.  How do we receive credit for this charge?

By default, the University will automatically charge a Full University Dining Plan to a student living in a traditional dorm room without a kitchen.  In order to credit this charge, parents must purchase a Hillel Platinum Meal Plan through Maryland Hillel to meet the University’s full meal plan requirement.  Upon receipt of payment for a Hillel Platinum Meal Plan, Maryland Hillel will inform UMD Dining Services of your full meal plan purchase.  Upon notification, the University will credit your student’s account within 7-10 business days.    In order to avoid payment, please register for the Platinum Meal Plan for Fall Semester before August 10, 2010 semester and for the Spring 2011 Semester, before January 10, 2011.

Are Holiday and Shabbat meals included in the Kosher dining plan?

Holiday Meals are “tricky”.  Often times, demand from the students schedules determine if the Dining Hall is open or not.  In order for the dining hall to be open, it requires a critical mass of participants.  Often times, students leave campus to observe with their families/friends and therefore Sodexo is forced to suspend service.

Shabbat meals are included in the Platinum Meal Plan.  If the Dining Hall is OPEN during holidays, then meals are included in the Meal Plan.  For those students on partial plans (Gold &/or Bronze), certain holidays will have an up charge as prices of those meals are more expensive.  Students on the Gold &/or Bronze MAY use their meals towards any Shabbat meal and DO NOT need to register in advance.

Under which Kosher Supervision is Maryland Hillel certified? Is there a Mashgiach on the premises?

Maryland Hillel’s Kashrut is supervised under the Va’ad of Greater Washington.    There is always a Mashgiach on duty, which includes our senior Mashgiach and several part-time student Mashgiachim.

Are students entitled to a refund for missed meals?

No.  The all you care to eat model was created to allow students full access to food/meals whenever they want.   Refunds and/or credits are not given for missed meals.

Can a student on a full meal plan bring a guest?

Yes.  The Platinum full meal plan includes 8 guest meals which can be used for friends and family.  Students who bring guests do not need to reserve guest meals in advance EXCEPT for Shabbat Meals.  If a student would like to bring a guest for Shabbat, he/she should contact Lynford Wilson, Dining Manager at least 2 days in advance of Shabbat.

Will my Kosher Meal Plan work on campus?

The Kosher meal plan does NOT work at any other campus dining hall or at campus restaurants.   Likewise, University Dining Plans, Points and University Dollars will not work at Hillel.

My child eats only Kosher meat and non-kosher dairy /vegetarian.  What are my meal plan options?

Students who live in a traditional dorm room without a kitchen are required to have a full meal plan either with the University or with Maryland Hillel.  Students may supplement the University full meal plan with a Hillel Gold or Bronze Plan at Maryland Hillel.   Kosher students may also choose full Hillel Platinum Plan and supplement it with a University Partial Plan.

What if my student has class all the way across campus and can’t logistically make it for a meal?

Maryland Hillel is committed to providing meals for all students.  if needed, students can work out special arrangements that could include packing up a “to go” lunch for the next meal, or picking up meals earlier or later than a meal is offered.  These special accommodations can be made directly with the Dining Manager, with Liz Donaldson (Business Manager) or Danny Weiss, Assistant Director.

What if there is a problem with my meal plan/meal plan account?

We strongly encourage the student to come in or email the staff directly.