FAQ's

How do I use my MAVcard?

• You must bring your MAVcard with you to all meals and retail transactions. You many not enter The Caf without it. Your card may only be used by yourself. Cards being used by someone other than yourself will be confiscated and reported to Residence Life for disciplinary action.

What do I do if I lose my MAVcard?

• In order to enter The Caf, students who have lost a card must report to the MAVcard Office and purchase a new card. For more information about new cards, please contact the MAVcard office at (970) 248-1059. If the MAVcard office is closed, you must present a picture ID to the dining hall manager.

How can I find out what is being served at The Caf today?

• Menus and specials are posted daily in The Caf, the dining website at coloradomesa.edu/dining, on the CMU Mobile App and on the Everyday App. Follow us on Instagram @CMUdining for daily food photos.

Can I have friends who do not live on campus eat with me in The Caf?

• Visiting friends are welcome to join you for a meal. You may either use your MAVmoney, credit card or cash to pay for them. Or an extra swipe from declining meal plans such as MAV 20, 40, or 80 can be used for payment.

What can I take out of The Caf?

• Students are welcome to take a single serving ice cream cone, a brownie, a cookie or one piece of fruit from The Caf. All locations offer a to-go option. The Caf has a great Sustainable Option; Green-2-Go containers. 

What is a Green-2-Go Container, and how do I get one?

The Green-2-Go container is a convenient and eco-friendly way to take your meals to-go from The Caf.

Here’s how it works:

• All incoming freshmen receive a Green-2-Go key fob for FREE.

• You can also purchase a Green-2-Go container for a one-time fee of $5.

• When you want a to-go meal, exchange your key fob for a clean Green-2-Go container.

• Take your food wherever you’d like! Eat in your dorm, study with friends, or head outside to enjoy the day.

• When you return to The Caf for your next meal, bring back your used container and swap it for a clean one or for a key fob if you're dining in.

• No need to clean the container! Just drop it off in the dish return area. We’ll handle the sanitizing.

• Keep your key fob or container with you at all times. If you lose it, there’s a $5 replacement fee.

  • Hold on to your fob or container for your entire time at school to avoid paying!.

**Please note: Green-2-Go containers can only be used and exchanged at The Caf.

What if I’m ill and cannot come down to The Caf for meals?

• Students can get with their hall’s Resident Assistant (RA) who will facilitate getting you a meal.

Can I take my parents to eat at The Caf when they are on campus visiting?

• Absolutely! Any time your parents are on campus visiting, just bring them into The Caf with you, and if you are on a meal plan, their meal is on us. Who says there is no such things as a free lunch? The only time parents don’t eat for free is during Parent’s Weekend.

What do we do if we have food allergies or special dietary needs?

• We care about your health and safety when it comes to any food allergies or special dietary needs. We help many students throughout the year and are here to help you!  All our managers, and chefs are determined you have everything you need.  Please contact our April Durham, Director of Educational Access Services on campus about your needs and she will set up an appointment to discuss alternative food options. 
• April Durham, 970-248-1856, [email protected]
• Gina Vega, Registered Dietitian, (303) 8714939, [email protected]

Chef's Table in The Caf offers daily meals made without the most common allergens, providing a safe and reliable option for students with food allergies. All other stations clearly label allergens, and peanuts are never served in The Caf except for peanut butter at the all-day breakfast bar.

What do I do if I am hungry and The Caf is closed?

Meal Transfer Program

For information on Hours of Operation, please click Locations.

What if my schedule conflicts with the times I wish to eat?

• We’ve got you covered! Most locations offer a to-go option. The best is the sustainable Green-2-Go containers in The Caf. Containers can be purchased for a nominal $5 fee (Remember, keep your Fob as a Freshman to avoid this fee). 
• Click on Locations for Hours of Operation.

What is a Meal Transfer?

For information on Hours of Operation, please click Locations.

Can I order food ahead of time and avoid waiting in line?

• Yes, you can! Download the Grubhub app, create an account, affiliate with CMU, and add your student account to get started skipping the line.
• MAVmoney, Meal Transfers and Card are accepted on the Grubhub app.
• Dining locations available on the Order Ahead app include QDOBA, Einstein Bros Bagels, and Chick-fil-a.
• Mobile ordering is also available at Starbucks! Download the Starbucks app and skip the line today! 

I am on a residence dining meal plan; can I use my meal plan for my friend?

• If you have The Unlimited, The 14, or The 17, your meal plan is intended for your use only. Use by someone other than you can lead to disciplinary action. All other Meal Plans, which are declining meal plans, such as MAV 20, 40, 80 and Faculty/Staff Meal Plans can be used for a friend. 

What if a group wants to have a meeting with refreshments?

• There are several meeting rooms available for special occasions and meetings which can be served through the CMU’s University Center’s Scheduling Coordinator at (970) 248-1414. Staff can schedule rooms and facilitate catering needs.

Do I have to buy a meal plan?

• Students living in traditional residence halls are required to purchase one of the three residence meal plans (The Unlimited, The 14, The 17). Commuter, Faculty and Staff meal plans are also available! Any Colorado Mesa University student, faculty, or staff member can purchase a meal plan if they wish to do so. For the details of each plan, please click Meal Plans.

What are the benefits of having a meal plan?

• Purchasing a meal plan at CMU is about more than just convenience—it’s about getting the most out of your campus experience. Enjoy fresh, high-quality meals with cashless access at a variety of dining locations, all while saving time and money. No grocery shopping, no cooking, and best of all—no dishes.

  Eating on campus helps you stay energized and gives you more time to focus on classes, connect with friends, and enjoy college life. Plus, The Caf hosts monthly themed events, holiday celebrations, national food days, and fun contests. We even celebrate meal plan holders’ birthdays with special desserts; because dining should be fun, too!

I don’t live on campus. Can I still purchase a meal plan?

• Absolutely! Dining Plans are designed with all students in mind. Sign up today and start saving! To learn more, click Meal Plans.

Which Meal Plan is right for me?

• We offer a variety of Meal Plans in order to best serve students. To figure out the right plan for you, start thinking about your eating habits. Are you a “grazer” who grabs a bagel in the morning and a salad for dinner? Or do you need three square meals a day to function properly? We have options perfect for either type of eater, and for everyone in between. For the details of each plan, please click Meal Plan.

What will my Meal Plan cover?

• Your meal plan gives you access to The Caf, along with the ability to use the meal transfer option at select locations on campus. Each meal plan comes with MAVmoney which can be spent in any of our retail locations. Click Meal Plan for more information.

Where can I eat and when?

• University Center
  • The Caf (Meal plan, MAVmoney, cash and credit)
  • Flat Top Grill (Meal Transfer, MAVmoney, cash or credit)
  • Rowdy’s (MAVmoney, cash or credit)
  • Starbucks (MAVmoney, cash or credit)
  • Chick-fil-A (MAVmoney, cash or credit)
  • Arcadia (MAVmoney, cash or credit)
• Tomlinson Library
  • Qdoba (Meal Transfer, MAVmoney, cash or credit)
  • What the MAV? (Meal Transfer, MAVmoney, cash or credit)
  • Einstein Bros. (Meal Transfer, MAVmoney, cash or credit)
• Houston Hall
  • Take 5 (MAVmoney, cash or credit)
• Dominguez Hall
  • Take 5 (MAVmoney, cash or credit)
• CMU Tech
  • The Scramble (Meal Transfer, MAVmoney, cash or credit)

For information on Hours of Operation, please click Locations

What is MAVmoney, how do I get it and where can I use it?

• MAVmoney is a convenient, prepaid account linked to your MAVcard that works like a debit card—just for on-campus dining. It can be used at any CMU dining location and is a great way to manage food expenses without carrying cash.

  You can add MAVmoney at:

  • The MAVcard Office

  • Most campus dining registers

  • Online at coloradomesa.edu/mavcard/plans

  There are no fees and no purchase limits, and you can add funds using cash or credit card. Best of all, MAVmoney is tax-exempt, so you save money on every purchase.

  To explore where you can use MAVmoney and view dining hours, click Locations & Menus at the top of the page.

Can I add more money to my to my MAVmoney account?

• Yes, you may add more money to your account at any time during the semester. Remember, your MAVmoney is tax exempt so you can save tax costs on all purchases. Please contact the MAVcard Office at (970) 248-1059 or reload online by visiting the Meal Plan site.

Does MAVmoney expire?

• If you or your student personally deposit MAVmoney onto the MAVcard (separate from a Residence Life Meal Plan), those funds will remain on the card until the student officially graduates or withdraws from CMU.

  However, if the MAVmoney is included as part of a Residence Life Meal Plan (such as The Unlimited, The 14, or The 17), it will roll over from fall to spring semester, but will not carry over after the academic year ends in May. Be sure to use any remaining funds before the end of the school year.

If you have any further questions about your MAVcard, MAVmoney or Meal Plans, please contact the MAVcard office at (970) 248-1059.