Meal Plan FAQs

How does the meal plan work?

Your ONEcard is loaded with your meal plan funds and works on a declining balance, just like a debit card.  Half of your funds are put on your card at the beginning of the first semester in September and the remainder is added in January.  Splitting the selected meal plan amount into two parts helps students to budget their funds for the entire academic year. If you run out of funds in the first semester, you will need to add money to your plan until the second half of your plan is added. 

Any unused funds from the first semester are automatically transferred and added to your second semester funds.  When you make a purchase, the cashier swipes your card and the price of your food items is automatically deducted from your account.  You can ask the cashier for a receipt which will show you your current balance.

Do you have to pay GST?

As a residence student, you do not pay GST on what Revenue Canada defines as an "on-campus meal plan".  The cash registers automatically exempt or deduct GST when you make your purchases with your meal plan. You do pay GST on non-food items, or anything that Revenue Canada does not consider to be part of a campus meal plan. Please note that you cannot use your meal plan to make non-food purchases.

Please note: In order to follow Federal Government GST regulations, the following applies (rates quoted are based on the 2011/2012 academic year):

• If a resident breaks his/her contract (moves out before the end of the contract period – Dec 23/11 for a four month contract or May 1/12 for an eight month contract), they will be charged the per diem meal plan rate for the contract they chose, up to the date they vacate. 
• If the meal plan amount spent by the resident on their move-out date exceeds $1314 for a broken four month contract or $2628 for a broken eight month contract, the resident will not be charged GST and all remaining meal money will be refunded. 
• If the amount spent by the resident on the move-out date for a broken contract is less than $1314 for a broken four month contract or $2628 for a broken eight month contract, the resident will be charged GST on the total amount spent or on the per diem total amount, whichever amount is greater. 

What's on the menu?

Lister Centre features the Lister Market (the Dining Hall) and the Marina.  Weekly menus are posted at the entrance to the Market, and online.

Open seven days a week during the Fall and Winter semesters*, the Lister Market and the Marina offer a wide variety of snacks, full meals, food items for preparation on your floor and personal care items such as toothpaste and shampoo. Meal plans funds are available for all food purchases but other non-food items must be purchased using debit or cash.

Your food choices are almost limitless: snacks of all kinds, pizza, hamburgers, soups, pastries, salads, fruit, full entrees that change daily, daily vegetarian choices, desserts, and more.

*Service is only available on specific days during the Winter Break. Available hours and service vary during Reading Week.

What about special dietary needs?

Although limited because of the large number of students living in Lister, we do try to meet your dietary needs, particularly by offering a regular variety of healthy choices.

Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are offered in Lister Centre.

Students with allergies and other special dietary requirements should consider alternate housing options as we are not able to accommodate other dietary requirements within the Lister Centre meal plan.

What if you are busy and can't make it to the Lister Market for dinner?

The Lister Market closes in the evenings at 8:00 p.m., but don't worry if you can't make it back to Lister by then. The Marina is open until 12:00 a.m. every night and has many late night dining and snacking options.

Will you get bored eating on campus three times a day for two terms?

The meal plan is not intended to be all-you-can eat and we encourage you to occasionally get together with friends and enjoy a meal off-campus. As well, Lister students can use their meal plan in a variety of locations on campus.

The Lister Market offers special buffet dinners about once a month. The buffets are themed, and, yes, that includes entertainment! Special dinners include Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Students are also treated to Mongolian nights, pasta banquets, all for one special price.

There are also weekly treats like Sundae Sundays, perogy days and the extremely popular build-your-own waffle bar. Marketing promotions are regularly offered and you could win anything from a free beverage, to a snow board, or a trip for you and a friend to Disneyland!

What if you don't use all your money?

The first $2628 of all meal plans are non-refundable, non-transferable, and must be used up by the end of the contract term coinciding with the academic year. Any balance over and above the initial $2628 will be refunded upon move-out.

For example, if you chose the $3990 plan, and you spent only $2700, you will receive a refund of $1290.

However, if you chose the $2940 plan, but you only spent $2000, you will receive a refund of $312 ($2940 - $2628 = $312) and the $628 balance is forfeited.

What if you are off-campus on a practicum?

If you are off-campus on an official University of Alberta practicum you can obtain a per diem refund. To obtain your refund, please have your Faculty provide written confirmation of the dates and location of your practicum and provide it to the Residence Services Office located in 1-050 Lister Centre.

What if you have suggestions or want to become involved in Lister’s food services?

Both the Lister Market and the Marina have comment boards where you can post, for all to see, your questions and suggestions. The manager will respond to each comment posted.

In conjunction with the Lister Hall Students' Association (LHSA), the Food Committee meets regularly and includes a University representative, ARAMARK staff, and students from the LHSA. The Committee discusses everything to do with Lister's food services including menus, menu rotation, hours of operation, etc.

The Lister Food Ombudsperson is a student who helps other students with their questions and concerns. The Ombudsperson helps to organize and coordinate projects and special events, and presents programs on topics such as proper nutrition.

If you have a question or a suggestion, you can contact the Food Ombudsperon by email at foodombud@fo.ualberta.ca, or you may also talk to any one of our staff in Dining Services or Residence Life.