Plans & Information

Meal Plan Terms to Know

Declining Balance (DB) – These are dining dollars that you can spend at any of our campus dining locations. You can add to your DB at any time. DB rolls over from the fall to spring semester and can be used until commencement in May.

Board Meals

Board Meals can be used to enter RoBro Dining Hall for an all-you-care-to-eat meal or as a “meal equivalency” swipe at designated retail dining venues. This plan resets each week on Saturday mornings.

Block Meals

Block Meals can be used to enter RoBro Dining Hall for an all-you-care-to-eat meal or as a “meal equivalency” swipe at designated retail dining venues located on campus. This plan has a designated number of meals that declines as you use them during the semester. Meal plans can be changed during the first two weeks of each semester, and a usage report can be requested at any time by visiting the Clarkson Dining and Catering office in the Cheel Campus Center.

DB may be used to treat guests to a meal, but board and block meals are non-transferrable and can only be used by the meal plan holder. Additional DB can be added at anytime throughout the semester. To purchase more DB please visit Student Administrative Services in Graham Hall.

Mastercard, Visa, Amex and Discover are accepted at all dining locations on campus.

Knight Card is accepted at Schuler's Cafe in the ERC and Distefano's Cafe in Cheel.

Additional Information

Meal plans can be changed during the first two weeks of each semester, and a usage report can be requested at any time by visiting the Clarkson Dining and Catering office in the Cheel Campus Center.

DB may be used to treat guests to a meal, but board and block meals are non-transferrable and can only be used by the meal plan holder. Additional DB can be added at anytime throughout the semester. 

Mastercard, Visa, Amex and Discover are accepted at all dining locations on campus.

Knight Card is accepted at Schuler's Cafe in the ERC and Distefano's Cafe in Cheel.
  • The Golden Knight
    This plan provides 21 board meals per week plus $25 in DB that can be used in any retail dining destination on campus. This plan provides breakfast, lunch and dinner Saturday morning through Friday evening. This plan is highly recommended for incoming first-year-students.

  • The All Northern
    This plan provides 200 block meals plus $75 in DB that can be used at any retail dining destination on campus. On average, this plan offers two meals per day, five days a week. Students can find out how many meals are remaining by asking a cashier for a receipt or by visiting the Clarkson Dining and Catering office in the Cheel Campus Center anytime.

  • Platinum Dining
    This plan provides 150 block meals (which averages 10 meals per week) plus $225 in DB that can be used at any retail dining destination on campus. Students can find out how many meals are remaining by asking a cashier for a receipt or by visiting the Clarkson Dining and Catering office in the Cheel Campus Center anytime.

  • The Sandstoner
    This plan offers seven board meals that reset each week during the semester (averaging one meal per day), plus 50 block meals that can be used at the student’s discretion throughout the semester, and $275 in DB that can be used at any retail destination.

  • Emerald Dining
    This plan provides five board meals that reset each week during the semester (averaging one meal per weekday), 20 block meals that can be used at the student’s discretion throughout the semester, and $425 in DB that can be used at any retail dining destination on campus.
  • The Pioneer 
    This is a voluntary meal plan option available to undergraduate and graduate students who are living in campus apartments and townhouses or for those living off-campus. It includes 50 block meals and $500 in DB. The meals and DB roll over from the fall semester to the spring semester. The plan is subject to New York State sales tax. The Pioneer can be purchased as many times as needed during the academic year.