Cornell Dining Terms and Conditions Summer 2026
Cornell University – Department of Campus Life
Cornell Dining Contract Terms and Conditions: Summer 2026
The following terms and conditions apply to all Summer Dining participants for May 26, 2026 through August 16, 2026.
Meal Plan Enrollment.
The Cornell Dining Contract is a legally binding contract and cannot be altered or modified without the prior consent of Cornell Dining. The Cornell Dining Contract is valid for the period May 26, 2026 through August 16, 2026, and becomes binding when you sign the Dining Enrollment Form. This Cornell Dining Contract is drawn with due regard to New York State law, and your signature on the Dining Enrollment Form indicates acceptance of the obligations under New York State law.
Your plan membership and privileges are non-refundable and nontransferable; you cannot use your plan to obtain food or drink for others. No credits will be given for missed meals. Account balances cannot be applied to/from other semesters or to/from other accounts.
Execution of the Cornell Dining Contract is not a commitment of admission to or continued enrollment in Cornell University.
Meal Plan Program Schedule
Opening and Closing Dates. Summer Combo Plan Meal begins with breakfast May 26, 2026 and ends with dinner on August 16, 2026. Summer Bucks Plan is valid from May 26,2026 through dinner, August 16, 2026.
Scheduling. Campus Life reserves the right to modify dining program hours of operation as demand dictates. Campus Life will make every reasonable effort to continue dining services during periods of weather emergency, power shortages, union actions, and similar circumstances.
Payment. You are required to pay for the meal plan for which you are enrolled. Payment may be made by major credit card, or bursar billed for special programs.
Use of the Identification Card. Your plan membership card is your Cornell photo ID card validated for the plan in which you are enrolled. To enter a dining unit, you must let the doorchecker mechanically scan your ID card. One meal will be deducted from your plan’s meal balance upon each entry into a dining room. Any meal plan member who cannot present a valid card, for whatever reason, will be denied entrance. Campus Life reserves the right to have an employee inspect ID cards at any time and to request other appropriate identification.
Lost Cards. If you lose your Cornell ID card, you must report the loss immediately to the Office of the University Registrar. To protect your meal plans, you can flag your card lost through your GET App
Contract Termination. Your contract may be terminated due to violation of these Terms and Conditions or disciplinary action by Campus Life and/or Cornell University in accordance with University policy and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards during the summer period. You will receive no refund for any meal plan charges that have been billed or are scheduled to be billed for the period. Meal plan or debit meal plan members apprehended for misuse of food or property, allowing another person to use their meal card, or any other attempt to defraud may be fined and/or removed from the dining program if found responsible by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Refunds will not be given for such mandatory terminations. Penalties assessed for breach of contract are independent of those that may be imposed by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
Conditions of Meal Plan Participation
Servings Policy. The meal plan program features servings of all meals taken from or eaten in the residential meal plan dining rooms. It is your responsibility to take only what you can reasonably eat at each meal. Campus Life reserves the right to limit the number of servings. For eat-in meals, the food you select must be eaten in the dining area.
Other Restrictions.
- Smoking is not permitted in dining units or Cornell buildings.
- Alcoholic beverages cannot be brought into a dining unit.
- Students are responsible for returning their own dishes to the designated return area.
- Shirts and shoes are required in all dining units.
- No animals except service dogs are allowed in dining units.
- The University is not responsible for personal belongings brought into or left in dining units.
- Photographic and video equipment cannot be used in a dining unit unless authorized in advance by the dining unit manager.
Meal Plan Options
Summer Meals. You may take advantage of All You Care to Eat meals at our residential meal plan dining rooms based on hours of operation. Choose from the following:
- Summer Combo Plan: $686
Includes 30 dining room meals and $200 in Summer Bucks. You may take advantage of meals at our designated dining room locations based on hours of operation. Summer Bucks may be used to purchase food items in retail locations or meals at our designated dining room locations. Plan begins with breakfast on Monday May 26, 2026 and ends with dinner on Sunday August 16, 2026. Summer Bucks are valid for use from May 26, 2026 through August 16, 2026. - Summer Bucks: $ 50
Summer Bucks are a sales tax free, pre-paid declining balance account, valid from May 25, 2026 through August 16, 2026. Summer Bucks may be used to purchase food items in retail locations or meals at our designated dining room locations. There is an initial minimum deposit of $50. There is no minimum for subsequent deposits. - Additional 10 Meals: $157
Purchases made with Summer Meal Plans and Summer Bucks are exempt from New York State sales tax. It is to your advantage to maintain an adequate account balance, as purchases made with a credit card will be charged sales tax.
Purchased plans are nonrefundable and nontransferable, and must be used by August 16, 2026
Food Allergies and Special Dietary Needs
Cornell Dining takes food allergies, intolerances and other special dietary needs seriously. Our culinary teams are trained on safe preparation of allergen free meals and we are passionate about finding safe options for our students. In our Residential Dining Locations, we label for the major allergens (soy, egg, milk, gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish and sesame) that are inherently found in our menu options.
We also identify areas of high risk for our students with food allergies including foods produced in shared oil, and at high risk for cross contact including baked goods and ice cream. We have purple allergy awareness signage throughout our dining facilities to help identify areas of high risk. You can learn more about our process.
If you or your child is sensitive or allergic to an item that we do NOT label for, or if Cross Contact is a concern, please fill out the form below at least 14 days prior to the camper’s arrival date so that we can provide appropriate options for you/your child.
By using your plan card and participating in the dining program, you agree to accept all of the terms, conditions, and restrictions of the Cornell Dining Contract and any revisions to it, which may be made from time to time.
These Terms and Conditions and the Dining Enrollment Form make up the Cornell Dining Contract. This Terms and Conditions document is the controlling document of the Cornell Dining Contract.