Meal Plans
In designing meal plans, we take into consideration the eating habits of the average University of Portland student. This includes the volume of food purchased per meal, the frequency with which meals are eaten, and how often one takes advantage of dining outside of regular meal hours. To keep the cost of plans at a reasonable rate, the very heartiest eaters or those at the top of the curve of any meal plan level may find they need to purchase more points for their individual plan. Meal plans are designed to cover meals that are offered in either the Pilot House or Bauccio Commons. Purchases in Mack’s Market and frequent visits to our espresso bars can often deplete meal plan dollars quickly and may require the purchase of Bluff Bucks as outlined below.
Choosing the Right Plan
When choosing a meal plan, it’s important for students to realistically consider how they like to eat. Do you snack constantly? Skip breakfast, but eat a big meal at dinner? Are you happy with a light salad at lunch, or do you prefer something more substantial?
We’ve learned over the years that the typical student does not eat three meals a day, seven days a week, on campus. We’ve also learned over the years that in the busy world of college life, students often spend a little more on retail items in Mack’s Market than they first expect.
So, our meal plans are built to reflect the real-life behaviors of students. Each plan can be augmented with additional Bluff Bucks to ensure that funds are always available when hunger strikes, or when a double tall mocha with extra whip is necessary for a late-night study session.
Meal Plan 1 – This plan is designed for light eaters and those who tend to spend only part of their time on campus. Choose this plan if you’ll sit down at Bauccio Commons or Pilot House for one full meal a day with friends, then drop by for one or two more light meals on the run.
Meal Plan 2 – This mid-range plan hits the sweet spot for most students. Choose this plan if you’ll probably have two full meals most days at Bauccio Commons or Pilot House, plus an occasional light meal.
Meal Plan 3 – This plan is designed for hearty eaters who expect to sit down for most meals, in Pilot House or Bauccio Commons, or those who have larger appetites for the meals they do eat.
New for 2025-2026 - Junior/Senior Meal Plans!
Meal Plan Junior/Senior Basic – This plan is intended for students in their third year or above who are now spending time away from campus for internships and must eat many meals outside UP. It also works for students living in apartments who want to do some of their own cooking, but still use the Bauccio Commons or Pilot House frequently for lunch, coffee, and snacks.
Meal Plan Apartment Dweller – This plan is bare bones and only intended for students living in apartments who do most of their own cooking. It gives these students the back up of being able to purchase coffee or a meal on the go when needed.
Bluff Bucks
Bluff Bucks are extra meal points and can top up your balance whenever necessary. Bluff Bucks can be purchased up front or as needed directly thorough Bon Appetite catering's main office in the Bauccio Commons or at 503-943-7330.
Meal Plan Prices
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24-25 School Year Meal Plans
Meal Plan 1 – Light Eaters
- 2100 points
- $2400 per semester
Meal Plan 2 – Mid Range Eaters (Most Popular)
- 2525 points
- $2825 per semester
Meal Plan 3 – Hearty Appetites
- 2950 points
- $3250 per semester
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25-26 School Year Regular Plans
Meal Plan 1 – Light Eaters
- 2200 points
- $2500 per semester
Meal Plan 2 – Mid Range Eaters (Most Popular)
- 2650 points
- $2950 per semester
Meal Plan 3 – Hearty Appetites
- 3100 points
- $3400 per semester
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25-26 School Year Junior/Senior Plans
New for the 2025-2026 school year, UP has optional smaller meal plans for students in their third year and beyond. These plans offer more flexibility for students who may be spending more time away from campus for internships or living in apartments with private kitchens and want to cook most meals themselves.
These plans can always be supplemented with Bluff Bucks. But please do not expect these plans to be sufficient on their own to feed a student. Juniors and Seniors are still able to purchase the traditional meal plans listed above and those will be appropriate for many students.
Meal Plan – Junior/Senior Base
- 2200 points
- $2500 per semester
Meal Plan – Apartment Dweller
- 2650 points
- $2950 per semester
Eligibility: Students must have been out of high school and in college for two full academic years or more at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year.
Additional Info
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Meal Points Explained
Meal points are a debit account for students. Each item or meal has an assigned price in meal points and that number of points is deducted from the student's account when they make a purchase. The points balance is shown on every receipt.
Unused meal points from the fall semester carry over to the spring Semester. However, at the end of the spring semester any unused meal points are lost. We recommend students with significant points left over at the end of the fall semester switch to a smaller plan for the spring if possible.
Bon Appétit shares a spending chart at the beginning of each semester for students to determine if they will have enough points to last for the semester based on their first weeks' spending in any food venue on campus.
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Bluff Bucks Explained
Many students find they need more meal points than anticipated. Sometimes they spend more on retail items in Mack’s Market than they expect. Sometimes packed schedules mean multiple daily salads or sandwiches on the run is the best option. Other times it’s because a stash of dorm snacks and a daily latte are part of the college lifestyle.
To ensure students on all meal plans have maximum flexibility, additional Bluff Bucks are available for purchase at any time throughout the semester. Regular meal points and Bluff Bucks can be used to purchase items at any dinning facility.
Bluff Bucks can be purchased at the Bauccio Commons business office or by calling 503-943-7330.
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Changing Meal Plans
For the fall semester, students may change their meal plan until the second Friday of the semester.
For spring semester, students may change their meal plan until the first Friday of the semester.Over the spring and summer, students may change their meal plans for the next school year in their housing application is StarRez. At other times students may change their meal plans by emailing reslife@up.edu.
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Off Campus Meal Plans
Students living off-campus can purchase any of the meal plans above by contacting the Residence Life Office via email at resife@up.edu.
Off campus meal plans are purchased by the semester and do not automatically renew from fall to spring. Meal points from fall do carry over to the spring, but unused points from either semester are lost at the end of the spring semester.
