Meal Plan
Plan Options
DeSales' dining program offers variety, convenience and flexibility to students living on and off campus. Campus meal plans are designed to fit the lifestyles of DeSales students. Contact our University Card office at 610-282-1100 ext. 2273 or pawspass@desales.edu to purchase a meal plan.
Running low on Dining Dollars? Load Paw Bucks to your account here: http://desales.edu/pawbucks
Commuter
Commuter Meal Plan
The Commuter Meal Plan offers $550.00 in Dining Dollars to be spent at any of our four dining venues. In addition, the Commuter Meal Plan includes a $50 Dining Dollars bonus.
$500.00 cost per semester
Commuters and Off-campus students will have the option to purchase any of the meal plans, open a Paw Bucks Account or have no plan at all. The commuters will benefit by saving time and money, no cooking, and a variety of culinary delights.
Load Paw Bucks to your account here: http://desales.edu/pawbucks
Voluntary
Students whose academic schedule brings them to the Center Valley campus a few days or evenings each week are invited to add Paw Bucks to their University Card as a convenient alternative to using cash in the UC Food Court, Jimmy Johns and Frankie's Market in Dorothy Day, Skylight Lounge in Dooling Hall, and Pulse Café in Gambet Center.
Resident
Freshman students are required to purchase a meal plan to get exposed to the full DeSales dining experience. Freshmen have their choice of either the 5 or 7 meal plan. Upperclassmen who live in a residence hall are required to purchase the 5 meal plan and on-campus apartment residents are required to purchase the 3 meal plan.
7 Meal Plan The 7 Meal Plan offers $1,550.00 in Dining Dollars to be spent at any of our four dining venues. In addition, the 7 Meal Plan includes the convenience of 7 DeSales Meals per week in the UC Food Court. $3,700.00 cost per semester *The 7 Meal Plan with Dining Dollars offers students the best overall value.
7 Meal Plan Plus The 7 Meal Plan Plus offers $1,550.00 in Dining Dollars to be spent at any of our four dining venues. In addition, the 7 Meal Plan Plus includes the convenience of 7 DeSales Meals per week in the UC Food Court. This plan also includes $150 Paw Bucks that can be used on campus or at off campus locations. **$3,850.00 ****cost **per semester
5 Meal Plan The 5 Meal Plan offers $1,000.00 Dining Dollars to be spent at any of our four dining venues. In addition, the 5 Meal Plan includes the convenience of 5 DeSales Meals per week in the UC Food Court. **$2,800.00 ****cost **per semester
5 Meal Plan Plus
The 5 Meal Plan Plus offers $1,000.00 Dining Dollars to be spent at any of our four dining venues. In addition, the 5 Meal Plan Plus includes the convenience of 5 DeSales Meals per week in the UC Food Court. This plan also includes $150 Paw Bucks that can be used on campus or at off campus locations.
**$2,950.00 ****cost **per semester
**3 Meal Plan
** (This meal plan is only offered to residents in the University Village, Commuters, and Graduate Students.)
The 3 Meal Plan offers $850 in Dining Dollars to be spent at any of the four dining venues. In addition, the 3 Meal Plan offers 3 DeSales meals per week.
**$2,150.00 ****cost **per semester
**3 Meal Plan Plus
** (This meal plan is only offered to residents in the University Village, Commuters, and Graduate Students.)
The 3 Meal Plan Plus offers $850 in Dining Dollars to be spent at any of the four dining venues. In addition, the 3 Meal Plan Plus offers 3 DeSales meals per week. This plan also includes $150 in Paw Bucks that can be used on campus or at off campus locations.
**$2,300.00 ****cost **per semester
** **Can use up to two (2) meals per day, but no more than seven (7), five (5), or three (3), depending on the plan, in a given week (Sunday through Saturday).****
Faculty / Staff
Faculty and staff meal plans are purchased through adding Paw Bucks, a declining pre-paid service account that can be purchased at any time. Faculty and staff can enjoy a 15% discount on all purchases and a rewards program for using Paw Bucks.
Load Paw Bucks to your account here: http://desales.edu/pawbucks
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my meal plan?
Yes. Resident students may change their meal plan each academic year by indicating in the space provided on their housing contract.
Please Note: Freshman residents are required to be on either the 5 Meal Plan or 7 Meal Plan for their first semester with the University, however these students will be given the opportunity to change meal plans for the following semester.
Where can I sign-up for a meal plan?
Contact our University Card office at 610-282-1100 ext. 2273 or pawspass@desales.edu to purchase a meal plan. You may also visit the University Card Office in the University Center, next to the Campus Bookstore.
What is a Paw Bucks account?
A Paw Bucks account is a declining pre-paid service account accessed with your UniversityCard. This account provides students and employees with the convenience to make purchases without using cash. All DeSales University students and employees are eligible to open a Paw Bucks Account.
What are Dining Dollars?
Dining Dollars are the funds that come with a meal plan for you to use at all University Dining venues. Dining Dollars are non-refundable, so it is important that you stay aware of the remaining Dining Dollars on your account during the semester. Dining Dollars will roll over up to $100 in the Spring if another meal plan is purchased that semester.
If I do not use all my DeSales Meals in a week, do they carry over to the following week?
No. A meal plan week is Sunday to Saturday. However, our new DeSales Meal program enables you to further utilize your DeSales Meal at any time during dining hours. Since meals do not carry over from one week to the next, it is important that you select the right plan to fit your schedule and eating habits.
How do I know how many Dining Dollars are remaining on my UniversityCard?
You can check your balance at any of the registers in the Food Court, visit the UniversityCard Office during posted office hours, or just take a look at your most recent receipt. We will print your balance at the bottom of your receipt each time you make a purchase. Please Note: The UniversityCard Office will not take balance requests over the phone. Students must make such requests in person and present their UniversityCard.
Aside from the dining locations, what else can I use my Dining Dollars for?
There are several options available for you to use your Dining Dollars each semester.
- Purchase groceries at our Convenience Store, Frankie's Market, located in Dorothy Day Student Union.
- Order DSU-To-Go in person or on our mobile order app, Transact.
- Order seasonal baked goods to take home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter
- Purchase locally grown seasonal produce at our Farmer’s Market periodically held in Dorothy Day Student Union.
- Purchase bulk items in the DUC Food Court or Frankie's Market to stock in your residence hall room or apartment.
- Purchase concessions at any of our indoor and outdoor athletic events
- Donations to food drives conducted by Social Outreach
How can I check my dining dollar balance?
- View your balance online at www.desales.edu/pawspassaccount. You will need your myDSU login information to access your account.
- Download the eAccounts app through Google Play or App Store on iOS and keep track of board swipes, dining dollars, and Paw Bucks.
- Each register in the dining locations displays the remaining balance after you use dining dollars; you can also request a receipt.
- Check your balance at any of the P.H.I.L. stations (Payment Headquarters in Location) located in the DUC by the Campus Store bookstore or in the Gambet Center located next to the Pulse Café
What if my Dining Dollars are running low?
If you are close to exhausting your Dining Dollars, simply visit the UniversityCard Office or the Bursar’s Office located in Dooling Hall and open a Paw Bucks Account.
Can I purchase additional dining dollars if I run out?
Funds can only be added to a student’s Paw Bucks account as the dining dollars are a set amount placed on the student’s card at the beginning of each semester. Unlike dining dollars, Paw Bucks will carry over from semester to semester until the student graduates or separates from the University.
Can I treat my friends to a meal using my meal plan?
Yes! If you would like to treat a friend, simply purchase their meal with your dining dollars. But remember you must be present when your UniversityCard is being used. When purchasing dinner for a guest in the Food Court, the cost will be applied to your dining dollars and the guest meal is not considered a DeSales Meal. DeSales Meals are non-transferable to fellow students or guests.
Can someone else use my card?
For your security, you are the only person authorized to use your UniversityCard. Cards presented by anyone other than the student pictured on the card will be confiscated and returned to the UniversityCard office. If you wish to buy something for someone else, you must be present at the time of purchase.
If I am suffering from an injury or illness, can someone purchase food items using my UniversityCard in the University Center’s Food Court for me?
Yes. The University’s Wellness Center or Athletic Trainers’ Department will provide a pass to the student who is injured or ill. The student responsible for purchasing the items will then show the Dining Services Manager the pass with the UniversityCard of the ill or injured student.
What if I forget to bring my UniversityCard, will I be able to eat in the University Center’s Food Court using my meal plan?
Because your meal plan is accessed by swiping your card, for your protection, we can not access your plan without your UniversityCard. Therefore, without your card you will need to use cash to make purchases in the Food Court.
If I lose my UniversityCard, will I be able to eat in the University Center’s Food Court using my meal plan?
Lost, stolen or misplaced cards must be reported to the UniversityCard Office. The card replacement fee is $35.00. If the loss occurs after UniversityCard Office business hours or on the weekends, report the loss to University Police at ext. 1250. The officer on duty will meet the student at the Lawless Center, deactivate the lost card, and issue a temporary card so the student will be able to eat in the University Center’s Food Court. Please Note: Whenever a student reports a lost card either to the UniversityCard Office or Campus Police, the student will need to purchase a replacement UniversityCard by paying cash or charging his or her student account.
How do I open a Paw Bucks account?
You may visit the Bursar's Office or the UniversityCard Office during posted office hours to set up your account and make additional deposits throughout the semester. Paw Bucks accounts must be prepaid with cash, check, or credit card with a minimum deposit of $25.00. Please note: Paw Bucks accounts cannot be calculated into a student’s financial aid package.
Where can I use my Paw Bucks account?
A Paw Bucks account may be used as a form of tender in the University Center’s Food Court, in the Campus Store, in vending, printing, and Dooling Hall's Skylight Lounge, Frankie's Market, Jimmy Johns and the Pulse Café. In the future, a Paw Bucks account will be used in laundry, and other services throughout campus.
Are Paw Bucks account dollars refundable?
Paw Bucks account dollars carry from semester to semester and are only refundable when a student or employee officially separates himself/herself from the university. A refund requires a written request to the UniversityCard Office within 30 days of the student’s or employee’s separation from DeSales University. DeSales University will not refund Paw Bucks accounts that have less than a $5.00 remaining balance.
Can student credit be transferred to a Paw Bucks account?
Yes. If you would like to transfer student credit funds, please visit the Bursar’s Office, located in Dooling Hall, for authorization.
What forms of payment are accepted at the dining locations?
Dining Services accepts cash, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover, Apple Pay), and the University’s ID card (for enrolled meal plans and Paw Bucks amounts).