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June 16: Meal Plans, Campus Dining, and Textbook Purchasing 

Dear parents and families,

This week, we have important financial and logistical items to address, including a look at campus dining and planning how to purchase students’ textbooks and course materials.

Action Item Tracker

Announcements

  • New optional event added to the summer schedule:Meet the Executive Director of CLASS (Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success) – Thursday, July 23 and July 30 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern:
    • Want to learn more about learning accommodations and on campus student success resources? Join CLASS’ Executive Director, Dr. Michael Shuman, for an informal question and answer virtual session. Dr. Shuman will review the academic accommodations process and answer any questions you may have. He will also outline tutoring and academic coaching options available to all students. Join us on July 23 or July 30 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. Register here.”  
  • Move-In Guide has been published: As you plan for your arrival on campus, please familiarize yourself with our comprehensive Move-in Guide, which provides all details and instructions you’ll need to know.
    • Important note for families of older Wake Forest students: We have a new check-in process this year. We no longer have “suggested move-in windows;” we have specific check-in appointments (selected by students). Students and families who arrive earlier than their check-in time will be directed to wait in a dedicated parking zone until the student’s appointment time. 

Featured Topic: Meal Plans and Campus Dining

As part of preparing for the semester, we want to share an overview of Deacon Dining, your student’s campus dining partner. At Deacon Dining, every plate tells a story. Our chef-driven approach brings together culinary expertise, responsibly sourced ingredients, and meaningful partnerships to create a dining experience that supports students throughout their day and helps them feel at home on campus.

All first-year students living on campus are required to have a meal plan. Plans are composed of:

  • Meal Swipes: Meal Swipes can be used in our residential dining halls. Once students swipe in, they can enjoy an all-you-care-to-eat meal. Swipes expire at the end of each semester. 
  • Old Gold Swipes: An Old Gold is a combo that can be used at our on-campus retail locations. Students can typically get an entrée, side, and drink with an Old Gold. Old Gold swipes expire at the end of each semester.
  • Food Dollars: Food Dollars come with your meal plan and can be used at any Deacon Dining location working on the same principle as a debit card. Food Dollars carry over from fall to spring and expire at the end of the school year. 

Key Meal Plan Dates:

  • August 1 – Last day to decrease your fall meal plan
  • August 18 – Fall 2026 meal plans begin
    • Important note for families of students doing Pre-Orientation: While many of your students’ meals will be covered by their Pre-Orientation fee, we encourage students to come prepared with additional money if they wish to have extra snacks/meals/drinks during Pre-Orientation (or have snacks/drinks in their room). University meal plans activate on Tuesday, August 18. 
  • September 30 – Last day to increase/upgrade your fall meal plan
  • December 15 – Last day to use Fall 2026 meal plans

Dining locations: There are a variety of dining locations across campus.  We encourage students to explore and experience them all as they settle into campus life and discover their favorite spaces.

Special dietary needs: Our registered dietitian is available to meet with students and support them as they navigate dining on campus, including those with food allergies and other dietary needs. 

Where to go with questions? The Dining website is your best source of information.

Looking Ahead: Textbook Purchasing

Once your student registers for classes later in July, we strongly recommend they rent/buy all their textbooks and course materials from the University Bookstore:

  • By entering their Student ID, students will ensure they receive the correct edition, and they can choose from new, used, rental, or digital options.
    • If students are sourcing materials on their own, they may not get the correct edition, as academic textbooks often have multiple editions to choose from.
  • Purchasing from the Bookstore also ensures your student will have course materials on day one of class; students ordering through other vendors/getting items mailed to campus could experience wait times, as there are always a lot of packages that must be processed by our mail room the first week of school.

Until next Tuesday,

Betsy Chapman, PhD (‘92, MA ‘94)
Executive Director of Family Communications

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