CMU students get no refunds for unused FLEX, meal plans

Students who do not use all their FLEX dollars or meal plan meals by the end of the semester get no refunds — the money was already spent.

Director of Residential Dining Brenda Marquardt said meal plan recovery is not expected to be 100 percent, and there is no excess money at the end of the semester.

“Plans are sold and all expenses go against those sales,” Marquardt said. “Net revenue within Auxiliary Services, which includes Residence life and Campus Dining, allows the university (to) continue growth of the services on campus.”

Marquardt said Campus Dining does not issue refunds at the end of the semester for students because there is nothing available.

A 14-meal plan with six guest meals and $200 FLEX costs students $1,814 per semester. A 150-meal plan for the entire semester costs $1,568.

How students feel

Some students believe meal plans are not worth the money and the system is set up to help the university.

Remus junior Alicia Wernette, no longer on a meal plan, thought the plans were expensive.

“I had the lowest plan, and I did not come close to using all my meals — it was not worth it to me,” Wernette said. “There are no refunds, and I never used all my FLEX dollars.”

Livonia freshman Donovan Michaels, on the 14-meal plan, said it is up to the student to make the choice they want for meals.

“I think it is your own choice to choose a plan that does not roll over,” Michaels said, “I think if you have unused FLEX dollars, you should get a refund for that. But meals, I understand why they can’t.”

Where the money goes

Marquardt said those dollars, used and unused, are all considered sales.

“All expenses are deducted from those sales.” Marquardt said. “Some expenses include staff, compensation, benefits, utilities, equipment, repair and insurance.”

An example of growth, Marquardt said, was opening Einstein Bros. Bagels in the Education and Human Services Building and Robinson Residential Restaurant’s mini-facelift.

“Sales revenue also allows for continued upkeep and deferred maintenance of all resident complexes and dining facilities,” Marquardt said.

The university offers smaller meal plans — students can get as low as 35 total meals and $100 FLEX for $448 per semester.

Marquardt said she wants students to understand it is significant to select the meal plan that is best for them.

“It is very important for a student to closely monitor their meal plan the first four weeks of the semester to determine if their meal plan is meeting their needs,” she said.

It is a $15 charge to change the plan after the semester begins, according to the Campus Dining Web site. Students must change their plan before Sept. 25.