Dining
RIT is adding increased flexibility to meals plans, outdoor seating, online ordering, and carry-out options. Dining locations have reduced capacity. Individual student rooms in residence halls will have a micro-fridge — a combination microwave, refrigerator, and freezer.
Where to Eat
Food options will be available at 16 locations on campus, with additional venues being evaluated. Food allergies and dietary restrictions can still be accommodated.
Advance Ordering
Online ordering: Online ordering will be available that will allow advance ordering at 10 dining locations. Customers will pick up their orders in a dedicated area marked by signage. Currently only credit cards are accepted, but meal exchanges, Dining Dollars, and Tiger Bucks will be accepted in the near future. This will decrease the wait time for food to be prepared and allow for contactless payments.
Kiosk ordering: The College Grind will have a self-serve ordering kiosk. This will help alleviate wait times and allow for contactless payments.
Eat In or Take Out
Dining locations will have reduced seating capacities. Outdoor seating is being added in select locations. Dining locations also will have increased carry out and grab-and-go options. Each room in residence halls and RIT Inn will have a micro-fridge. This will help students stock up on meals to help reduce the number of trips needed to a dining location.
Meal Plans
Students will have more flexibility in their meal plan options. The number of meals designated at Gracie’s is no longer a requirement. All meals within the Tiger plan can be used in any combination of meals at Gracie’s or with Meal Exchange at other dining locations on campus for up to $9.50 a meal.
Safety First
Occupancy tracking services: A new feature on the campus maps website enables people to see how busy dining locations on campus are to help avoid busy times. Developed by RIT’s Information and Technology Services, a layer has been added that will monitor density of dining locations by reporting the number of Wi-Fi signals being used at any given time. Pie charts will show whether an area is quiet or busy. No identities are tracked. The data is aggregated and anonymized and refreshes every couple of minutes.
Reduced occupancy: All dining locations are be limited to no more than 50 percent of maximum occupancy.
Unit configurations: Furniture in dining locations has been arranged to promote physical distancing. In addition, foot traffic patterns may be changed.
Protective shields: Protective shields have been installed at serving stations and registers.
Enhanced cleaning: Several hand sanitizer stations are available and enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols are being incorporated.
Face masks: Face masks will be worn by all employees and customers except when eating.
Related Story
August 10, 2020
Changes in RIT dining options promote convenience, safety
Changes are in place at RIT Dining locations across campus. Online ordering, cashless checkouts, reduced occupancies, outdoor and spaced-out seating, and increased cleaning protocols are all new features offered in response to COVID-19 precautions.