SDSU Redesigns Meal Plans This Year to Allow Spending Flexibility for Students
The change was made to allow students more spending flexibility as certain restaurants not owned or operated by SDSU have limited their operations due to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
“The introduction of new offerings and spending flexibility options underscore SDSU Dining Services’ efforts in service of the campus community.”
While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the operations of many restaurants and eateries in the areas surrounding the San Diego State University campus, SDSU Dining Services has redesigned the meal plans for the current academic year, allowing students more spending flexibility.
The change is a result of many restaurants not owned or operated by SDSU having significantly limited their operations due to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
More than 20 dining options remain available and open. Due to a statewide stay-at-home order that took effect Sunday, Dec. 6, outdoor dining at all locations has been shut down and capacity inside Aztec Shops markets and eateries on campus has been limited to 20%.
Of the dining options that remain open around campus, 16 locations are open on weekends and nine are open for dinner on weekends.
These locations currently provide thousands of item options to choose from, and popular campus eateries such as The Garden Restaurant, University Towers Kitchen, Salad Bistro, Chipotle, Shakesmart, Aztec Markets and the Habit remain in operation.
“SDSU Dining Services is committed to offering easily accessible dining options to our students,” said Todd Summer, CEO of Aztec Shops and associate vice president of Business and Financial Affairs. “The introduction of new offerings and spending flexibility options underscore SDSU Dining Services’ efforts in service of the campus community.”
To expand offerings, SDSU Dining Services — a division of Aztecs Shops — has added food truck service to Villa Alvarado on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Online ordering is now available at The Garden, University Towers Kitchen, Vinnie’s and Salad Bistro with pick-up at the eatery within 15 minutes or at a later designated time.
SDSU Dining’s self-run eateries and contracted restaurants accommodate 35,000 students, 5,000 faculty and staff, and thousands of visitors to the campus each year in order to support the needs of the campus community. Currently, though, with the number of individuals on campus significantly reduced, it is evident that low traffic in several locations on campus could not support business operations.
Additionally, SDSU Dining has taken action to modify student meal plans for this year to provide more flexibility. Students’ daily allocated meal funds and swipe totals will also now roll over each week and the remaining balance at the end of the fall semester will now roll over to the spring semester for this academic year.
Students in need of assistance for food access are also encouraged to seek support through the Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT) and the Food Pantry, both of which help connect students with healthy food options.
For a full list of open locations and operating hours, please visit eatatsdsu.com/hours.
