DeKALB – As the semester begins, NIU students will see an increase in university-provided dining dollars, later dining hall hours and changes to the meal exchange program as on-campus dining makes updates for the 2025-26 academic year.
With the purchase of residential meal plans for the school year, students now have access to $175 in dining dollars, up from $100 the previous school year. Dining dollars can be used at on-campus spots, including The Huskie Den, Starbucks, Qdoba and Einstein Bros. Bagels. Student dining dollars can be accessed via OneCard at these supporting locations.
Julianna Mater, a freshman accounting major, expressed that she is excited for the increase in dining dollars.
“I’m kind of glad that they increased it a little bit, because having only $100 for, like, snacks and stuff, that’s crazy,” Mater said.
In addition to more dining dollars, students will also notice longer hours in several dining halls. In previous years, dining hall hours ended before, or at, 8 p.m. Ahead of the upcoming school year, a number of facilities have extended their hours.
Sofia Lorenzini, a junior communicative disorders major, is pleased with the extension of dining hall hours.
“I really appreciate the hours thing, I don’t think there was any excuse for the dining hall to close at eight. I don’t know anybody who can get through their whole day and get to the dining hall late and be done with that at eight,” Lorenzini said.
Neptune Dining will now be open one hour later, closing at 8 p.m. Stevenson Retail Dining Center will offer late hours from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. East Side Cafe will also be offering late hours from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. throughout the week.
While dining halls are expanding their evening availability, the university is also making changes to the meal exchange program. Instead of a meal exchange, Qdoba will offer a $9.99 deal for a burrito bowl and drink, available Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for students with or without a meal plan.
The Meal Exchange program will still be available all day at Stevenson Retail Dining Center, Gilbert East Side Cafe and Depot C-store. Einstein Bros. Bagels will also participate in meal exchanges from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. throughout the week.
Lorenzini expressed that she recognizes the possible reasons behind eliminating the meal exchange from Qdoba.
“I do understand the reason they took that away is because they’re compensating for putting more money on people’s dining dollars and now the people who work in the dining halls have to work longer hours. So I think they did that just to kind of even it out a little bit,” Lorenzini said.
Mater will not be visiting Qdoba as frequently because of the meal exchange elimination.
“If I have to pay to get a meal after late hours, then it’s not worth it. I’m just gonna go somewhere else way cheaper,” Mater said.
Students interested in learning more about new updates can visit campus dining’s FAQ page or email [email protected] for details about what the new semester will bring.
