RPS offers variety of meal plans

In a board of trustees town meeting earlier this week, senior Ken Minami, representing the Residence Halls Association, voiced concern about increasing costs of meal plans to offset technology expenses in IU residence halls.\nYet representatives from RPS say they have managed to keep meal plan expenses consistent over the past four years. \n"I want students and everyone to know that we have not increased the price of the meal plan for the last four years," Sandra Fowler, director of dining services for RPS, said. \nEven with the increase in technology in the dorms, as well as other improvements to residence halls, prices have not increased, Fowler said. \nThe RPS meal plan is an all-inclusive food service program, distinguishing it from the traditional meals-per-week plan offered by most universities, according to the RPS Web site.\n"We continue to offer a broader range of options, but new students and returning students pay more only if they choose one of the larger plans," Fowler said. \nResidents may choose to use their meal points at any RPS food facility. RPS also offers a meal plan for off-campus students -- a program created by the Meal Plan Committee at the end of last semester. \nStudents living in residence halls for the first time have the option of plans A-D. These options include anywhere from 2,390 to 2,850 points. Students may also designate a certain number of points for use in the Indiana Memorial Union dining facilities and in the Main Library food court.\nReturning students have the option to choose from plans A-D or from plans E (2,080 points) and F (2,330 points). These plans can also be used at a variety of locations on campus.\nThe off-campus plan includes Willkie Quad, Mason Hall and University apartment residents, excluding Hillcrest Apartments. Students may choose between plans A-F or options G and H, which include 1,000 points each. 250 points from the G plan can be used at the IMU, while plan H is restricted to RPS facilities only.\nThe plan was envisioned as a way to allow off-campus students a way to eat while on campus. It would especially benefit students in the greek system.\n"The idea is to encourage off-campus students to invest in the meal plan," senior Ilia Smith, president of Willkie Quad, told the IDS in October. "They should be able to have a lower plan in case they want to eat in between classes."\nRPS Special Services Coordinator Graham Shepfer said students not satisfied with any of the above plans can also choose plan I, allowing them to create their own dining options, beginning in fall 2002. The minimum amount for this plan is $150, and the points do not include IMU and the library food court. If students want to switch meal plans for second semester, they are required to change before the end of the fall semester.\nShepfer said enough options are offered to please all students.\n"The meal plan program is designed to target a variety of students," Shepfer said. "It is convenient because it is billed to the bursar rather than parents having to send cash"