RPS to offer 100-percent meal points rollover in ’09

From this point forward, students with meal plans will not have to worry about wasting their remaining money at the end of the year.

In just three weeks, the IU Student Association has already delivered one of its main promises to the student body: 100 percent meal point rollover.

“Having met with students throughout campus, we found that most students were very frustrated at the thought of being penalized for keeping money,” IUSA President Luke Fields said.

IUSA Vice President Dan Sloat has been working with the Residential Programs and Services meal plan committee since the fall of 2006. Serving as a member and head chairman, he began work on a comprehensive solution to getting more points to rollover and make purchasing plans more affordable.

All points remaining at the end of the 2009 spring semester will now be available for use through the next fall semester for everyone. They will only continue to be available through the next spring semester for those who purchase a meal plan for the next year, Sloat said.

“In 2001 there was 0 percent rollover,” Sloat said. “That is when discussion began to get more rollover points. In 2006 there was a 50 percent rollover and in 2007 there was a 75 percent rollover.”

With the creation of the new dining hall El Bistro, located in the basement of Read Center, Sloat and the RPS meal plan committee first set off by getting input about what food students liked by testing different entree items in the Hoosier Café. The popularity of the burritos, waffles and fine deli sandwiches helped them decide on a combination of all three.

“RPS struggled with a full rollover because students were struggling to find food that they wanted,” Sloat said. “Once we were able to provide popular food, we were able to make the final push.”

With the new I-BUCK system, one I-BUCK equals $1. Students use their IU ID cards to pay for meals. A student will receive a 60 or 25 percent discount off the listed prices when using I-BUCKs, depending on the specific plan he or she has.

“It was designed in a way to offer greater value to students who provide services to RPS. With the higher plan here is a higher discount,” Sloat said.

Working since 2001 to get the full rollover into effect, the meal plan committee is happy to finally see full results.

“It’s been years in the making, and I am really happy to be a part of this recent accomplishment,” Sloat said.

With one goal already accomplished and set, IUSA shows no plans in slowing down.

“We are committed and will fight for what we are doing,” Fields said. “We are always looking to make the student experience better.”