Meal Plans & Claremont Cash

MEAL PLANS

The meal plans available are:

(The cost of each meal plan can be found on the main Pitzer Tuition & Fees website.)

  • 19 meal plan – 19 meals in a one week period including $190 flex dollars per semester
  • 16 meal plan – 16 meals in a one week period including $160 flex dollars per semester
  • 14 meal plan – 14 meals in a one week period including $140 flex dollars per semester
  • 12 meal plan – 12 meals in a one week period including $120 flex dollars per semester
  • 5 meal plan – 5 meals a week, no flex dollars (only available to CCA residents, off-campus students, or those who have been approved for a reduced meal plan)
  • 0 meal plan – No meal plan (off-campus students, or those who have been approved for a reduced meal plan).

Meal periods: There are three meal periods on weekdays (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and two meal periods on weekends (brunch and dinner). So there are 19 meal periods per week. Students on the 16 meal plan typically use their flex, Claremont Cash, or dine off-campus for additional meals each week. Extra meals will not carry over each week (we still made the food!) and reset each Sunday.

Meal plan dates: The meal plan is typically active starting on brunch on returning student move-in day (for fall and spring semesters) and ends at dinner on the day before the residence halls close (for winter break and summer break).

Meal plan changes: Meal plans can only be decreased until two weeks prior to the first day of classes each semester. Meal plans can be increased at any time, with costs prorated to the written requested date. To make changes to your meal plan, please email [email protected]

Flex dollars (sometimes referred to as “Board Plus“) are included with the 19, 16, 14, and 12 meal plans (there are NO flex dollars with the 5 meal plan) and can be used for additional meals/snacks at any of the Claremont Colleges dining halls and wide array of eateries (Grove House, Pit Stop Café, Shakedown Café, etc.). Additional flex dollars cannot be purchased, however students can also use Claremont Cash for additional meals/snacks.

Claremont Cash, a credit applied to a student’s ID card, can also be used for laundry, vending machines, extra dining hall meals, both food and non-food items throughout the Claremont Colleges and at select merchants in the Claremont Village. For more information please visit https://cards.cuc.claremont.edu/

McConnell Dining Hall Meal Rates: For students who do not have a meal plan, who want to use their flex/board plus dollars for an extra meal, or who want to swipe in a guest, please refer to the door rates:

  • Breakfast
    • Guests $14.75
    • Faculty/Staff $8.25
    • Board Plus $5.00
  • Lunch/Brunch
    • Guests $17.75
    • Faculty/Staff $10.00
    • Board Plus $6.00
  • Dinner
    • Guests $20.75
    • Faculty/Staff $11.75
    • Board Plus $7.50
  • Children (5-12 years old) $7.00
  • Notes:
    • Faculty/Staff rate given only with a valid Claremont College ID Card.
    • Board Plus rate used exclusively with dollars available on student meal plan.

Green Box/Clamshell: Students are given one green box each academic year. Students will pick-up the green box at a dining location and swipe their ID card to indicate they have checked it out. Students may then return a dirty green box and pick-up a fresh one for use at any dining hall location. Or, students may simply return a dirty green box and deposit it back to their account to use another day.

  • To-Go Clamshell: $0.75
  • To-Go Cup: $0.50
  • Reusable To-Go Clamshell Box: $6.50
  • Reusable To-Go Cup: $3.50

Students with Special Dietary Needs 

  • The dining hall has vegetarian and vegan meal options for each entrée.  
  • Students who are on a special diet, need a higher caloric meal, or have specific food allergies are encouraged to indicate this on their Housing Application. This information is provided to the Dining Hall. Students who require specialized dietary planning should contact Pitzer’s Dining Manager, Miguel Menjivar, to discuss meal accommodations. 

Reduced Meal Plan Applications: All Main Campus Residents who are required to be on at least the 12 meal plan (CCA residents can select a 5 meal plan). Students may request a lower plan due to financial or medical accommodation by requesting an application from [email protected] for review.

  • Students applying for a reduced meal plan status due to a medical or financial consideration must provide documentation stating why they are unable to be on the minimum meal plan. Applications will be reviewed in consultation between the Dining Manager and/or Case Manager to evaluate if Dining Services can formulate a meal plan that meets the student’s dietary needs. If they are unable to meet the student’s dietary needs, Residence Life will be informed of the approval and update the meal plan.
  • All students are financially responsible for meal plan costs until notified in writing that there has been a change of status.

Dining Hall Hours During Breaks:

  • Fall Break and Thanksgiving Break – The residence halls remain open and the meal plans remain active.  The hours and location of the available dining services WILL change and will be emailed to the community before the break.
  • Winter Break – The residence halls close, the meal plans are NOT active, and typically all dining halls close as well.
  • Spring Break – The residence halls remain open, the meal plans will remain active, and the hours/location of the available dining services WILL change and will be emailed to the community before the break.
  • Summer – Meal plans are NOT available, but Claremont Cash is still an option.  Dining Halls have limited hours and the schedules will vary.
  • Early Arrivals (Fall and Spring) – Students approved for Early Arrival through an Approved Group/Advisor may have pre-board plans coordinated, depending on the group. Students individually approved for Early Arrival may not have access to the Dining Hall pre-board plan. Please reach out to [email protected] to inquire more.
  • Late Stays (Fall and Spring) – The residence halls close, the meal plans are NOT active, and typically all dining halls close as well.
Pit Stop Cafe

Dining Options on the Pitzer Campus

McConnell Bistro, located in McConnell Center, is the main dining hall on campus and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays and brunch and dinner on weekends. Students can use their meal swipes, flex, Claremont Cash, or credit card for meals.

The Pit-Stop Café is located in Bernard Hall facing the Scott Courtyard. The café serves coffee, specialty drinks, gourmet sandwiches, wraps and salads.

The Shakedown Café is located on the second floor of the Gold Student Center (GSC).

The Grove House is a craftsman-style home that serves as a restaurant and student center. The Grove House kitchen is a student-run restaurant serving delicious homemade dishes made from locally grown food and also caters community events. The Grove House is not a part of the student meal plan, but accepts flex dollars/board plus, Claremont Cash, and cash.