Meal Plans 101 - Western Carolina University

What is a Meal Plan?

A Meal Plan unlocks delicious meals, coffee, snacks, and more, our 19 locations across campus. Your Meal Plan includes Meal Swipes, Meal Exchange, and Dining Dollars, conveniently loaded onto your Cat Card. No need to carry additional cards or cash!

Meal Swipes

Meal Swipes give you access to any of our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, including the Catamount Cafe and The Lodge at Brown. You are also able to use your meal swipes at Blue Ridge Burger and 1889 Bistro, where you are able to get an entree, side, dessert and drink. Meal swipes that come with the Block meal plans expire at the end of the semester in which they are purchased.

Declining Balance

Declining Balance dollars may be used at any Western Carolina University Dining location. Visit the location page for location information, including dining hall menus and hours of operation. Unused Declining Balance dollars carry over from the fall to spring semester and then expire at the end of the academic semester.

Declining Balance running low? You can always add more on G.E.T. or by visiting https://mywcu.wcu.edu. Access My CatCard from the top browser bar or Search My Apps and pin CatCard!

Meal Exchange

Meal Exchange can be used at most of our retail locations here on campus. An Exchange meal includes typically one entrée and one fountain beverage. Click here to see the full meal exchange menu on our campus. The Unlimited Premium plan allows for one meal exchange per day. All Block plans can use their block meals as a meal swipe or a meal exchange.

Meal Plan Benefits

With your meal plan, you receive many benefits and perks, including:

Quality food made fresh by our culinary team, with a variety of menu options personalized the way you like.
Healthy choices available all across campus.
Special events with themed meals and exclusive offers for meal plan members.
Casual atmosphere with TVs, music, and lounge-style seating—perfect for studying or hanging out with friends.

To-go meals: Simply request a reusable OZZI to-go box from the cashier, they will help you through the process to get one in at any of our dining halls.

Key Dates

Spring 2024

First day of classes: January 16th, 2024
Last day to change meal plan: January 19th, 2024
Advising Day: February 20th, 2024
Spring Break: March 4th, 2023 - March 8th, 2024
Second Spring Break: March 27th, 2024 - March 29th, 2024
Last day of classes: May 3rd, 2024
Meal Plan end date: May 11th, 2024

Summer 2024

First day of classes: June 3rd, 2024
First 4.5-week term classes end: July 3rd, 2024
Independance Day: July 4th, 2024
Second 4.5-week classes begin: July 5th, 2024.
Last day of classes: Aug 6th, 2024

Fall 2024

First day of class: Aug. 19, 2024
Last day to change meal plan: Aug. 23rd, 2024
Labor Day - no classes: Sept. 2nd, 2024
Fall Break: Oct. 14th, 2024 - Oct. 18th, 2024
Advising Day - no classes: Oct. 29, 2024
Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 27, 2024 - Nov. 29, 2024
Last day of class: Dec. 6, 2024 - Dec. 13, 2024
Meal plan end date: Dec.14, 2024

Spring 2025

First day of class: Jan. 13, 2025
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Jan. 20, 2025
Advising day: Feb. 25, 2025
Spring break: Mar. 10, 2025 - Mar. 14, 2025
Second spring break: Apr. 16, 2025 - Apr. 18, 2025
Last day of class: May 2, 2025
Meal plan end date: May 10, 2025