Campus Dining
Welcome to Dining Services at Howard University.
Campus Dining
Dining facilities, Blackburn Cafe and Bethune Annex Cafe, are all you-care-to-eat. Both locations offer an array of options and will gladly work with students to find additional options that suit their individual needs.
To assist in healthy nutritional goals, meet with Dining's dietician, Meron Zafu, by emailing HUDining@sodexo.com.
Both dining halls regularly host events from food holidays to special dinners, keep an eye out for the HU Dining monthly calendar to see what events are happening this month! Follow along on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to learn more about the events.
*Accepted forms of payment: Meal Swipes, Dining Dollars, Bison Bucks, Cash, Credit
Additional Information
For more information on Dining Services, please click here.
HU Dining Services partners with Sodexo
Meal (dining) Plans
Meal (dining) plans are designed specifically to meet the needs of our students and to be convenient, flexible, and loaded with options.
Students receive greater value per meal with a plan and there’s no need to carry cash or a credit card—it’s all on your Bison One Card. Meal plans are charged to student accounts.
If you are looking to enjoy a meal with friends or just a snack on the go – there is a plan to fit every appetite. Explore our meal plan options to choose the best plan for you.
Please see the chart below to view meal plans information.
Campus Dining FAQs
Am I required to have a Meal (dining) Plan?
All students assigned to a Required Meal Plan Residence Hall are required to purchase a Meal Plan during the fall and spring terms. Commuters are not required to purchase a meal plan, however, several are available to enhance your campus experience. Commuters are eligible to register for any meal plan.
How do I choose a Meal (dining) Plan?
Personal eating habits, class schedule and leisure activities should all be considered when choosing a Meal (dining) Plan. If you are accustomed to eating three full meals a day, or prefer to eat small meals throughout the day, our Traditional 19 meal plan may be for you. If you tend to skip breakfast, eating only two meals a day, a the Traditional 14 meal plan with less meal swipes will be a better choice. If you want maximum Dining Dollars to spend at national brands, coffee shop and at our convenience store, a plan with more Dining Dollars is for you.
How Do I Sign Up for A Dining Plan?
Fall or spring meal plans are selected in Home | StarRez Portal (starrezhousing.com) , or you can visit the Bison One Card Office in the Mordecai Johnson Building (A-Bldg.), 2400 6th Street N.W., Suite B-11, Washington, DC 20059. The last day to purchase, make changes, or cancel your Fall or Spring meal plan is the 2nd Friday of each semester. For Summer meal plans, please visit the Bison One Card Office. The last day to purchase or change your summer meal plan is the first Friday of summer classes.
How Does My Meal (dining) Plan Work?
Meal Swipes can be used at our Dining Halls, Bethune Annex and Blackburn Cafe, and expire based on the meal plan and semester.
Dining Dollars can be used at all HU Dining locations including the dining halls, the Markets, Jazzman's and the Punchout, and they expire at the end of each semester.
What are Dining Dollars?
Dining Dollars come with all meal (dining) plans. They are flexible spending dollars that can be used at any of our on-campus dining locations, including C-Stores.
Where Can I Use My Dining Dollars?
Dining Dollars can be used at our dining halls, the Markets at Bethune Annex, West Towers and Blackburn, Simply to Go, NuVegan, the Punchout, Jazzman’s, Hilltop Food Truck, The Restaurant at Blackburn, and the Service Center Cafe.
What's the Difference Between Dining Dollars and Bison Bucks?
Dining Dollars are funds that can be used at all HU Dining locations, including the C-stores and Bison Brew, and are conveniently loaded onto your Bison One Card. Dining Dollars expire at the end of each semester. Bison Bucks is a prepaid, stored value account available to Bison One Card holders. There are no transaction fees or minimum balances associated with the account. Just load and use at a variety of places on and off campus. Check out those locations at Where to Use Your Card | Office of Auxiliary Enterprises (howard.edu).
What Dining Options Are Available To Students With Dietary Needs?
HU Dining offers a variety of clearly labeled vegan and vegetarian options at multiple dining stations. Each dining hall has a dedicated vegan or plant-based station that offers desserts as well. To assist with your dietary needs, meet with Dining's dietician, Meron Zafu. Follow the link to book an appointment with her if you have dietary or health questions or concerns at the link below.
Who should I contact if I have specific needs or concerns about the food?
If you have concerns about the food, please contact HUDining@sodexo.com.
If you have other needs, please contact Our registered dietitian, Meron Zafu, RDN, LDN. Follow the link to book an appointment with her if you have dietary or health questions or concerns at the link below.
Meal Plans - Fall 2024/Spring 2025
Fall/Spring Meal Plans
Here are the details of Dining Plans for Howard Students:
Meal Plan | Traditional 19 | Traditional 14 | Block 170 | Block 140 | Block 75 | Dining Dollars Only |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost (semester) | $3,142 | $3,039 | $2,939 | $2,886 | $1,564 | $1,283 |
Meals (weekly) | 19 | 14 | ||||
Meals (semester) | 170 | 140 | 75 | |||
Dining Dollars (semester) | $250 | $300 | $375 | $400 | $450 | $1,175 |
≤ 60 Credit Hours
Students with 60 credit hours or less that reside in a required dining plan residence hall are required to select a meal (dining) plan. Below are meal plan options for student with less than or equal to 60 credit hours:
Meal Plan | Traditional 19 | Traditional 14 | Block 170 | Block 140 | Block 75 | Dining Dollars Only |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bethune Annex | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | N/A | N/A |
College Hall North | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | N/A | N/A |
College Hall South | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | N/A | N/A |
Cook Hall | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | N/A | N/A |
Drew Hall | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | N/A | N/A |
Harriet Tubman Quadrangle (All) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | N/A | N/A |
Axis | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | N/A | N/A |
≥ 61 Credit Hours
Student with 61 credits or more living in a required dining plan residence hall are required to select a meal (dining) plan. Below are meal plan options for students with > 61 credit hours:
Meal Plan | Traditional 19 | Traditional 14 | Block 170 | Block 140 | Block 75 | Dining Dollars Only |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bethune Annex | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
College Hall North | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
College Hall South | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Cook Hall | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Drew Hall | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Harriet Tubman Quadrangle (All) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Axis | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |