Dining Tips for New Huskies

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Here are some tips to help our newest Huskies navigate Dining on the Storrs campus! We also have a FAQ page at dining.uconn.edu/faq

  • Don’t forget your OneCard/Make sure it is activated – Your OneCard is needed for many things on campus, including getting into the dining hall! It also contains your flex passes, points, & Husky Bucks to pay for items in our cafes/eateries. Please bring it with you. If you haven’t activated your card yet, please do so before visiting a dining hall: go to onecard.uconn.edu – once you are logged in, click “Navigate” in the left menu bar, and then select Deactivate/Activate card.
  • Try Different Dining Halls – We have 8!! Plus 5 cafes, 5 fast casual eateries, & a food truck. Each dining hall has a different vibe & a different menu. Use the myUConn app or our website to view our daily menus.
  • Lines/Plan Accordingly – For the first couple of weeks, give yourself extra time. Getting ready, waiting for the bus, walking to class, it all adds up. The beginning of the semester is always busy in the dining halls as students tend to dine around the same time before weekly activities get going.
  • Eating with the Pack or Solo – New Huskies are all in the same situation, and the beginning of the semester is a great time to knock on doors and invite others to a meal. However, don’t skip a meal if no one is available. You will see Huskies every day who choose to dine solo. For many, dining solo is a chance to slow down, decompress, and/or think about the day/evening ahead.
  • Put the Upgrade/Downgrade Deadline in your Phone/Calendar –  If you decide you want to upgrade or downgrade your residential semester meal plan, the deadline is always 3 weeks from the start of service. For fall ’25 this date is  Friday, September 12th. Change your plan at dining.uconn.edu/change-your-plan
  • No Taste for Waste – Many years ago, we removed trays from the dining halls to help reduce food waste and water usage. Help us continue to reduce waste by taking less. Take a look around the servery and then pick what you want. Still hungry? You can always go back for more.
  • Stay Informed – Menu specials, changes in hours, deadlines, events, giveaways..we have a lot to share throughout the semester. We share this info on our social accounts, TVs, posters, messages in Daily Digest, and on the Dining channel on the myUConn app. @uconndining on FB, IG, TikTok, Threads, X
  • Talk with Our Staff – Our staff are happy to help. If you can’t find something, have a concern, or any other kind of request, don’t hesitate to approach our staff. Our management staff wear nametags, and every dining hall has a sign at the entrance with pictures of the managers. You can also reach out at dining.uconn.edu/questions-and-comments

Different Dining Scenarios

  • Did you pick a residential meal plan over the summer, and now you are assigned an on-campus apartment or choosing to live off campus? Because meal plans are not required for students in on-campus apartments or off-campus, your meal plan was cancelled. If you are looking for meal plan options before your first day of classes, please visit dining.uconn.edu/storrs
  • You have a food allergy or dietary restriction, and haven’t spoken to anyone in CSD or Dining yet. Please do so as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are comfortable with navigating our facilities as soon as possible. Please review our information on the steps you need to take at dining.uconn.edu/dietary
  • You’re unsure of how to use/where to use flex passes and dining points. We have a page with all the details you need dining.uconn.edu/flex-pass-and-points. We know the first couple weeks are overwhelming with events, info, and classes. You’ll eventually get the hang of it all! Our staff are always happy to help answer your questions. Your RA and WOW leader can also assist you.
  • You’re finding that your schedule (work, classes, sport, etc) consistently interferes with getting to the dining hall during our hours of operation for a meal. Learn more about our to-go meal program. This includes students who are based in Storrs but have some classes in Avery Point or Hartford.