After a student-led petition called for optional meal plans for upperclassmen, Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) will introduce expanded and lower-cost meal plan options beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year. In September 2025, junior Noah Buckwalter submitted a petition in collaboration with Student Government Association (SGA), to call on EMU administration to make meal plans optional for juniors residing on campus. The petition cited concerns about the cost of meal plans compared to dining hall prices for visitors, and emphasized the financial burden placed on students who already purchase and prepare their own food.

Since then, university leadership, including Vice President for Finance Natasha Walker and Dean of Students Jonathan Swartz, have met with Pioneer Food Services to discuss potential changes. These discussions focused on three primary questions: whether junior meal plans could be made optional under the university’s dining contract, whether per-meal costs within meal plans could be reduced, and whether more flexible meal plan options could be introduced.

As a result of those conversations, EMU will implement a revised meal plan structure that expands options for upperclassmen and introduces plans for graduate and commuter students.  

Under the updated model:

• First-year and sophomore students living on campus will continue to be required to purchase the full (unlimited) meal plan.
• Juniors (students in semesters 5–6) will still be required to have a meal plan, but will now be able to choose from four options (all of which now cost less per meal than the previous 60-block): full (unlimited), 75-block, 60-block, or 45-block plan.
• Seniors (semester 7+), commuters, and graduate students will not be required to purchase a meal plan but may opt into any of the available full or block plans. 

The revised structure also includes lower pricing for block plans.  Pricing under the new model: 75-block plan: $819/semester, 60-block plan: $678/semester, 45-block plan: $535/semester

*All plans include a Royals Cash component ($100 for full plans, $50 for block plans).

What this means for students:

While the university is not making meal plans optional for juniors, the updated structure reflects several of the petition’s concerns. Juniors (and above) will now have access to lower-cost plans and more flexibility in how often they use the Dining Hall and Den.

For students who signed or supported the petition: your input was heard—and it has led to tangible changes for the future. We invite your continued feedback and engagement on food service at EMU. 

Jonathan Swartz, Dean of Students

Natasha Walker, Vice President for Finance

Noah Buckwalter, Leah Frankenfield, Maria Longenecker, Esme Martin, Jean Betancourt, Zazkia de la Vega Yupanqui