Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a Credit?
A. In the Sycamore & Lincoln Resident Dining Halls each meal has an "admission" price

• Breakfast costs 6 credits
• Continental (Sycamore Only) costs 6 Credits
• Brunch at Sycamore costs: Sat 8 Credits, Sun 11 Credits
• Lunch costs 8 credits
• Midday (Sycamore Only) costs 7 Credits
• Dinner costs 11 credits
• Premium Night costs 13 credits

Present your ID to the checker and your food account is reduced by the number of credits for that meal. Once you're in, the format is "Seconds please" (all you care to eat).

Q. What is Commons Cash?
A. Commons Cash can be spent in any food format on campus. Your favorite restaurants in the Commons (such as Burger King, and Taco Bell) take Commons Cash. The Sycamore and Lincoln Dining Halls also take Commons Cash, as do the Library & Stalker Coffee shops.

Q. Why are Students with less than 28 credit hours being restricted from using Commons Cash, Monday – Friday from 10:30 am –2 p.m.?
A. The Commons would be overcrowded if all resident students ate lunch during the week at their favorite format. We need cash customers to eat in the Commons to help offset some of the fixed costs. Lunch is the best time to attract cash customers.

Q. Why can't I use my credits at George's Cafe, or Mein Bowl?
A. The formats that are operated by outside vendors don't contribute to the fixed costs of the Resident Dining operation on campus. The dollars that would be siphoned off if they took credits would cause a significant increase in the cost of your meal plan.

Q. What do I do if I am low on credits?
A. Did you know you can stop by the Dining Services office and add more credits if you have an existing meal plan that uses credits? Resident students can purchase extra credits at $.20 each and commuter students can purchase them at $.35 each. In addition to adding credits, we will be more than happy to add commons cash on a dollar to dollar basis. We accept cash, check, and credit cards in the office and credit cards over the phone at X4138. Credits can not be added by ManageMyId.

Q. How Can I check my balance?
A. All Resident Dining checkers and  retail cashiers have the ability to do an "inquiry" and check your balance. Just ask! You may also call X4138 and we will get your balance for you over the phone. Or you can find your balance online by logging onto ManageMyId.com.

Q. What if I lose my ID card?
A. It's important to report lost or stolen ID cards as soon as possible. Please contact the food service office at ext 4138 between 8am & 4:30pm Mon - Fri. If the Dining Service office is closed, call the Campus Cupboard at 237-3869 and ask for the supervisor.

Your lost ID card will be coded as lost so that it cannot be used. A temporary meal pass will be given to you for a limited number of meals. If you find your lost card you will need to go to the food service office during regular business hours so that your card can be reactivated. You will need to do this so that we can verify your identity.
If you fail to find your card, a new one can be issued from Public Safety for a fee of $15.00.

Q. What is ManageMYId.com
A. ManageMyId.com is a website where you can view and manage your campus dining meal plan.

• Easy to use
• Turn off a lost card
• View your account balance
• View your spending history
• Log on to ManageMyId.com
• Pick Indiana State University
• Register with your Student ID, birth date and email address
• Open your email and click on the confirmation that you receive
• You are now ready to use ManageMyId.com

Q. Why should I opt for the Blue, Sycamore, or Statesman plans when I can add Credits or Commons Cash any time I run out?
A. When you sign up for the Commons, Combo Credit Advantage, your University account will be charged. Sign up for the add-on Advantage Options is only available at the beginning of the semester. When you add Credits or Commons Cash during the year you pay by cash, check or charge.

Q. Can I use my Credits and Commons Cash During the summer?
A. Academic School Year Converted Credits and Commons Cash cannot be used from
2pm May 4, 2013 until the Residence Halls open August 16, 2013. You may purchase Commons Cash at the Dining Services Office for use during the summer

Q. At the end of the semester, what happens to my "Leftover" Credits?
A. It depends on where you will be living... *By indicating on the housing survey that you will return to the Halls in the fall, your leftover Credit balance will automatically convert (@.20/credit) and be added to your fall Resident Meal Plan as Commons Cash. -OR- *If you do not return to the Residence Halls, your Credits and Commons Cash are forfeited at the end of the spring semester unless you buy a Sycamore or Super Sycamore Commuter Meal Plan by Aug 31, 2013 and have returned a Commuter Meal Plan Reservation Form by May 4, 2013.

*If you think you will be purchasing a Commuter Meal Plan in the fall, please complete a "Commuter Meal Plan Reservation Form" at the Dining Services Office before
May 4, 2013. This will enable us to hold your Commons Cash and Converted Credit Balances and apply them to your Sycamore or Super Sycamore Plan in the fall.

Q. How can I "rollover" my Credit and Commons Cash balances at the end of the academic year?
A. The key to rolling over your balance is to continue to reside in University residence halls. You must complete and submit to the University, prior to the last day of spring finals, the Spring Housing Survey and the Residence Hall Contract Addendum, indicating your intent to reside in University residence halls during the following Fall Semester. When you return to campus in the Fall, your Credit balance from the previous year will have been converted to Commons cash and added to your account. Your Commons Cash balance will also be added to your account.

Q. Must I convert my Credits to Commons Cash?
A. If you are returning to the residence halls in the fall, you DO NOT NEED TO CONVERT your Credits unless you want extra Commons Cash this Semester. If you will be living off campus in the fall, do not plan to buy a Sycamore, or Super Sycamore Meal Plan, and you have extra Credits, it may benefit you to convert them to Commons Cash and spend it before the end of the semester.

Q. May I convert Campus Credits to Commons Cash and Vice-Versa?
A. Yes, you may convert all of you excess Credits (those above the "budgeted" amount for your meal plan) to Commons Cash. However, it's not a good deal to do this. (Commons Cash can't be converted to Credits.)

Q. When is the last day to convert?
A. The last day to complete the conversion form for the 2012/2013 school year is
April 28, 2013 at 4:30pm

Q. What if I have more questions?
A. You may call the Dining Services Office at x4138, or come see us inside the ResLife Office during normal business hours.