Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about your SUNYCard:

My card is lost/stolen. How do I deactivate it?
You are responsible for ensuring that your card is secure. If it is lost or stolen, report it right away. Log in to PodiumNet and deactivate it to protect your account. You may also call the SUNYCard Office during regular business hours at 518-442-5989 (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday), or contact the University Police Department on nights and weekends, to deactivate your account and receive a temporary card if needed.

How do I change my meal plan?
Online at MyUAlbany. Meal Plans may be changed up until the 10th day after the start of Meal Plans for the semester, check the Meal Plan info pages or the SUNYCard Office for specific dates.

Where can I use my SUNYCard?
Many places on and off campus:

• Door access - especially if you live on campus
• Dining locations on campus
• The Bookstore
• Copiers/Printing in University Libraries
• Vending Machines (MM 11p-7a, Podium 24/7)
• Off Podium locations

Why charge $20 for a lost SUNYCard that is not really lost? I paid for a replacement card and then found my card within a day or two.
When a card is reported lost, that card is deactivated and given a new MAG stripe number (ID #). This change helps with theft and fraud prevention. Once the old number is deactivated, a brand new one is processed and, for your protection, the old one can no longer be used.

I am participating in an internship this semester, can I change my meal plan?
Yes - students living in traditional housing who are participating in an official intern program that keeps them off campus are allowed to adjust their meal plan

• Please bring a letter from your advisor, or the director of the program, to the SUNYCard Office verifying your participation and we will allow you to change to one of the Commuter Meal Plans for the semester
• If you need additional assistance, call the SUNYCard Office (518-442-5989) or stop by the office in Room B52 of the Campus Center

I changed my Meal Plan, how do I get the difference in price back?
The adjustments are posted to student's accounts each week- review your account on MyUAlbany and contact the Student Accounts Office directly to request that credit be sent to your home address.

Can I change my meal plan once the semester has begun?
You have the option of changing your meal plan up to the 10th day after the start of Meal Plans for the semester.

What is the meal trade ("swipe") option?
Meal trade "combo meals" are available for each meal period in the Campus Center retail food court. You are "trading" a meal swipe for this combo meal. For a listing of specific meals, locations and times, please visit the Meal Trade web page on our site.

If I have meals left on my Economy Meal Plan at the end of the semester, do they carry over to the next semester?
Meals that are unused by the semester's end do not carry over to the next semester.
Munch Money does carry over from semester to semester and year to year, as long as you are an enrolled student.

If I purchase a meal plan for the next semester will I get more Munch Money also?
Next semester you will obtain more Munch Money with the purchase of a meal plan (the amount will depend on which meal plan you choose). Munch Money does carry over from semester to semester as long as you are enrolled at the University.

Why are meals plans mandatory?
The University has mandated meal plans as a way of protecting the students. Residential housing does not have adequate cooking equipment & storage space to insure a safe environment for food preparation and waste removal. The University is also concerned that students with limited financial means would have to choose between food and other expenses.

When can I use my Meal Plan for Meal Trades in the campus center?
Please see the easy to read chart on the Meal Trades web page that outlines when and where you can use Meal Trades.

Can students take food out?
Bag lunches are available upon request if a student's class schedule conflicts with the meal schedule. Also, if a student is ill and not able to eat in the dining hall, arrangements can be made for a take-out meal by calling the quad room hall manager.

Can you add more spices to the food?
Spices are available on the spice rack by the salad bar so that you can spice foods according to your taste.

Does the food service put laxatives in food?
No. We have many mechanisms to provide safe food: state inspections, temperature controls, purchases from approved vendors, etc.

Can we have more multicultural items - Brazilian food, Indian food, etc. - more often?
We encourage students to tell us specific items they would like added to the menu. Please email your suggestions to the UAS Associate Executive Director, Karen Kettlewell.

What happens to unused food - is it thrown out?
Due to health regulations, unused food is thrown out. There are strategies in place, however, to help decrease the amount of waste. Food is cooked in batches based on customer trends. This also helps in maintenance of freshness & quality.

Can you eliminate burgers and fries and serve healthier options?
Turkey and veggie burgers are made to order at all grill stations. In addition, healthy entree, salad, sandwich, dessert and vegetarian options are available at all dining locations. If you have suggestions for healthy options, please email them to us.

Can you make more ethnic spices available?
Dining Services will be glad to make the spices available, just give the manager a list.

Can we donate our meal swipes to support natural disaster relief efforts?
NY State Tax Laws do not allow donation of meal swipes to another individual, even for relief efforts.

Do we use best practices from other Universities?
We participate in The National Association of College & University Food Services' food service survey which benchmarks UAlbany against itself as well as compares us to other Universities from year to year. UAS and Dining Services staff members visit other colleges to gain more knowledge on how to improve services.

How do we address rude staff members?
Inform management immediately if that occurs. It is helpful if you can provide the manager with the name of the staff member, all employees should be wearing a name tag. Managers names & photos are posted at the checker's station in the entrance to the dining room.

Can you buy food products from local farmers?
Dining Services purchases more than $300,000 worth of food from local farmers.

How do you accommodate Muslim students during the month of Ramadan?
Muslim students observing the fast of Ramadan can contact their dining hall manager and pick up a pre-packed breakfast the night before, so that they can eat before sunrise.

Questions about Munch Money:

What happens to my unused Munch Money at the end of the semester?
Munch Money carries over from semester to semester as long as you are enrolled at the University.

What do I do if my Munch Money runs low?
Each time you make a purchase using your Munch Money, your balance will be displayed at the register. You can also track your Munch Money purchases and balance on line with PodiumNet. You can add Munch Money at any time:

• On-line: PodiumNet
  (Visa & MasterCard only)
• In Person: SUNYCard Office, Campus Center B52
  (cash, check, Visa, MasterCard & Discover)=
• By Phone: 518-442-5989
  (Visa, MasterCard & Discover)

Can Munch Money be used at the Bookstore?
No, Munch Money is part of the meal plan and can only be used to purchase food and beverages.

Where do I find out my Munch Money or Podium balance?
To Check The Balance:

• On-Line: For balance info and statements, check PodiumNet
• Campus Dining Services: The cashier should be able to provide you with your Munch Money or Podium balance . . . just ask!
• Vending Machines: The balance displayed at the end of the transaction is the total of all Munch Money and/or Podium available on your account.
• Library Value Adding Stations & Copier Readers: Show Podium balances only
• The SUNYCard Office: We can't give balances out over the phone for security reasons, but are happy to help you whenever you stop in!

Questions about Podium:

Where do I find my Podium or Munch Money balance?
To Check The Balance:

• On-Line: For balance info and statements, check PodiumNet
• Campus Dining Services: The cashier should be able to provide you with your Munch Money or Podium balance . . . just ask!
• Vending Machines: The balance displayed at the end of the transaction is the total of all Munch Money and/or Podium available on your account.
• Library Value Adding Stations & Copier Readers: Show Podium balances only.
• The SUNYCard Office: We can't give balances out over the phone for security reasons, but are happy to help you whenever you stop in!

Questions about the Bookstore:

How do you justify the prices on your clothing?
All of our products are collegiate licensed, and we make sure that our vendors do not use sweatshop labor. Our products are high quality & will last.

Why are textbook prices so high?
One of the things that affects the price of textbooks is professors ordering the new editions, this cuts down on the number of used textbooks that we can make available to students. The University Bookstore also guarantees the condition of their used books. In addition, The University Bookstore contributes to the University community in a number of ways, including $10,000 in scholarships each year and support to student activities and various other University groups.

Questions about Nutritional Services:

What nutritional services are available to me on campus?
Both UAS and Dining Services have registered dietitians who can assist you with nutritional decisions and issues. For an appointment, please contact the Dining Services Office at (518) 442-5985.

Questions about Vending:

Please explain Podium Purchases vs. Munch Money Purchases in the vending machines!
When you make purchases from vending machines by swiping your SUNYCard between 11 PM and 7 AM, the system will deduct money from your Munch Money account. The system will only deduct money from your Podium Account if you have no Munch Money. Your SUNYCard Podium Account is accepted in the vending machines at any time.

I have lost money in vending machines, and when I call the number I get a recording - how can I get my money back?
There should be a local number or an 800 number on each vending machine, but you will not find a live response, especially in the middle of the night.
You may also contact the UAS office (518-442-5950) directly so that we can contact Coca-Cola or Next Generation Vending to inform them of a vending malfunction.

Questions about Laundry:

What do I do if I have a problem with a washing machine or dryer?
Please call 518-442-5964
Provide the following information:

• Quad name or location
  
• Building name
• Machine number
• What's wrong with the machine