Using dining dollars on campus will look different for Taylor students this semester.
Before spring semester, when students’ dining dollars didn’t fully cover a purchase, the remaining cost would automatically charge their campus dollars, provided it had enough to cover it, said AVI Dining Services.
Now, campus dollars and dining dollars are used for payment separately. If a student wants to pay for a snack or add-on with a campus account, they will need to inform the cashier what type of payment they are using. Meal swipes and meal plans have not changed, only the way dining dollars are used, said Sean Wojtowski, resident director of AVI Foodsystems at Taylor.
Dining dollars are included in student meal plans, while campus dollars are not. Campus dollars are a separate account funded by an individual or their family. Accounts with campus dollars are often used by faculty or teaching staff.
The main reason for the update is the new computer system AVI implemented in 2026. Another reason is the new self-serve kiosks in the Larita Boren Campus center causing students to see both dining dollars and campus dollars as options. The changes were announced via slideshows across campus in January and February to inform students, teaching faculty and staff of the update.
“Students need to understand how exactly the plan works to use the correct tender,” Wojtkowski said.
Not every student has campus dollars in their account, so students will need to be aware of what amount they have along with their regular meal plan.
“I didn’t know what campus dollars were before the policy,” Anna Petras, a junior illustration major, said. “I don’t have any so it doesn’t really affect me.”
Without knowledge of the difference there is a risk that a student will waste time at the counter or have their purchase denied by the register.
Students curious about their dining information can check the amount of meal swipes, dining dollars, and campus dollars they have quickly and conveniently through the Taylor Dining Portal, said Wotjkowski.
AVI Food Services will continue to serve students and faculty using the already established meal plans and dining options. Many students appreciate AVI’s efforts to make dining at Taylor enjoyable and accessible.
“I think it’s a good system,” said Gretta Smith, freshman elementary education major.
