The University of Southern Mississippi's Guaranteed Dining Dollars Program, introduced in fall 2024, continues to spark mixed reactions among students, with many questioning the mandatory $300 charge added to their student accounts.
Under the Guaranteed Dining Dollars Program, all full-time students under the age of 25 with a majority of in-person classes are automatically charged $300 per semester to use at any dining location on campus. While some students appreciate the extra funds, others believe the program should be optional.
“Part of me likes it because it gave me more bonus bucks,” said Julie McLain, a USM student. “I still don’t like that it’s an extra $300 charge every semester alongside my meal plan, though.”
McLain added that she feels the program is unfair to students who opt out of a meal plan, as they are still required to participate.
Commuter student Issac Holliday also expressed frustration with the program, particularly with the functionality of the dining dollars.
“There were problems with getting my dining dollars to actually work, and it caused me a lot of frustration,” he said. “Now that it’s working, I kind of like having them, but I still feel like I should have the option to not.”
Other students have noted issues with long wait times at campus dining locations, particularly during busy hours.
“Just this past week, I used my bonus bucks to order Chick-fil-A. I put in my order before my lunch break began, and it got delayed all the way to when my next class began,” said Hayden Fulton.
He added that he feels many campus dining options overcharge, causing the $300 to be depleted quickly.
The program’s rollout in April 2024 prompted criticism on Eagle Dining’s social media, where students voiced concerns about its mandatory nature. Some noted the potential burden on students with dietary restrictions or those facing financial challenges.
“It’s an extra expense for my family, who help with my college bills. If the program was optional, then it would be nice to not have to pay more money to go here,” Fulton said.
For more information on meal plans and Guaranteed Dining Dollars, visit https://usm.campusdish.com/.
