New To Housing Students
Welcome to the University of Maryland!
All dining at the University of Maryland is a la carte: this means you use your dining plan to pay for food by the item, never by the meal.
- There are three dining plan options for new to housing students – the Resident Plan, the Resident Plan Plus and the Resident Plan Red. Description and Comparison of the plans.
- Each option has a fixed number of Resident Points and Terp Bucks (most points are Resident Points). Resident Points are for use in the Resident Dining Halls & Terp Bucks can be used in the Resident Dining Halls and add the option of eating in many of the cafés across campus.
- If at any time you want more points, you can add to your dining plan, or you can use cash, major credit cards, or Terrapin Express. (Terrapin Express is extra and not a part of the dining plan - we’ll get to that – hold on.)
- Spend your Terp Bucks as you like, but pace your spending; you may want them to supplement your Resident Points toward the end of the semester.
- Dining plan points are linked to the UM ID card.
- 2009-2010 On-Campus Housing/Dining Services Agreement for New Students
- Details about your Dining plan upgrades
Point Distribution 2009-2010
Got Points? Spend ‘Em . . .
- You have the opportunity to change your dining plan during the first three weeks of the semester. Points are valid through the end of the current academic semester.
- Resident Points: Use them at The Diner on the North Side of Campus, South Campus Dining Room on the South Side of Campus.
- Terp Bucks: Accepted at 18 dining locations across campus including four convenience shops, both dining rooms and Adele’s Restaurant.
- As a bonus, Adele’s Restaurant in the Stamp Student Union accepts Resident Points for dinner.
Eat In or Carry Out
At Maryland, students have the option of taking food out of the dining rooms. However, we know that taking care of our environment is a priority to you. The most environmentally sound way for you to help the campus minimize its carbon footprint is to “eat in.” When you eat in the dining room, please use china, glass and stainless flatware – and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the company of your fellow Terps.
Special Dietary Needs
- Our staff is well-trained in helping you to manage your preference, allergy or intolerance; we work as closely with you as you would like to identify and select safe foods from our vast range of menu offerings. Contact our dietitian at nutrition@dining.umd.edu.
- Kosher Dining - contact the Hillel Center for information about Kosher Dining Plans, www.hillelmd.org.
Terrapin Express - Go Cash-Free
- On-campus pre-paid debit account: you can add money as needed
- Optional – Does not replace a resident dining plan
- Use at 50 locations on campus including the University Book Center, Pay for Print Labs and copy machines in the Libraries.
NRO Points
A New Resident Orientation (NRO) fee is included in the dining plan charge for fall semester. A separate account will be attached to your UM ID card to include points for the weekend before classes start and there will be a New Student Welcome Convocation Meal on Friday, August 29. Unused NRO funds convert to Terp Bucks, which are available for use throughout the semester.
