About Bearcat Dining
Why did Binghamton University change dining providers?
Binghamton University selected Chartwells Higher Education to operate campus dining
and launch Bearcat Dining, a refreshed dining program designed to better align with
student needs, campus priorities, and future growth. The decision followed a multi-year
competitive review designed to strengthen the dining experience. Extensive campus
engagement and student feedback played a major role in shaping the priorities for
the upcoming dining program. More than 1,700 students completed surveys, and many
others participated in focus groups, student leadership discussions, and advisory
meetings. Student input helped guide what the University looked for in a new dining
contract.
What is Bearcat Dining?
Bearcat Dining is Binghamton University's dining program operated by Chartwells Higher
Education. The program includes residential dining halls, retail dining locations,
catering services, meal plans, nutrition resources, sustainability initiatives, and
student engagement programs.
What makes Chartwells different?
Chartwells' approach focuses on four key areas:
Student-Centered Value
- Greater transparency around meal plans
- The meal plan membership fee was eliminated, allowing students to use their full purchasing power across campus.
- New meal deals offered in dining halls are designed to help students maximize value
- Clearer communication and education around dining dollars and meal plan use
Inclusive Dining
- Expanded Halal and Kosher offerings
- Enhanced allergen-friendly dining through Delicious Without
- Diverse culinary experiences and global flavors
Student Voice
- Student Dining Council
- Surveys and focus groups
- Feedback tools and reporting
- Ongoing opportunities to shape future dining experiences
Campus Partnership
- Collaboration with students, Residential Life, Student Affairs, Sustainability, University Communications, chefs, dietitians, and campus stakeholders.
Quality Assurance and Safety
How is Bearcat Dining ensuring food quality, safety, and a positive dining experience
under Chartwells?
Food safety, quality, and service are among Bearcat Dining's highest priorities. Bearcat
Dining follows a comprehensive three-tier Quality Assurance and Food Safety program
that includes internal audits conducted by on-site quality assurance leaders, third-party
inspections, and ongoing leadership compliance reviews. Bearcat Dining is also supported
by a dedicated, full-time quality assurance manager, Matthew Kennedy, who helps oversee
food safety practices, compliance, training, and operational standards across our
dining program. Their goal is to provide a safe, clean, and welcoming dining experience
for every member of the Binghamton University community.
In addition to food safety protocols, Bearcat Dining continuously evaluates the student experience through secret shopper evaluations, customer service standards, operational reviews, and multiple feedback channels. Students can share input through dining surveys, Student Dining Council, Text-to-Chat, QR feedback tools, Happy or Not kiosks, tabling events, and direct outreach to the team. This feedback helps identify opportunities, make improvements, and transparently communicate how student input is shaping the dining experience. Bearcat Dining is committed to listening, acting on feedback, and delivering a dining program that reflects the needs of the Binghamton community.
Meal Plans and Dining Value
Are meal plans changing this year?
Meal plan options will remain the same for the 2026-2027 academic year while the University
and Bearcat Dining gather additional feedback and allow time for planning and evaluating
any future changes. However, students may notice updates to how meal plans are structured
and billed.
The previous membership fee has been eliminated, and costs that were previously covered through that fee, such as labor, and other administrative expenses, are now reflected directly within dining hall pricing. This change provides greater transparency while maintaining the meal plan options available to students.
Why weren't meal plans changed immediately?
The University and Bearcat Dining want future meal plan enhancements to be informed
by student input, data, and operational experience rather than making major changes
during a transition year.
Students will have opportunities to participate in surveys, focus groups, Student Dining Council meetings, and other feedback channels throughout the year.
What should students know about dining dollars?
Bearcat Dining is committed to helping students better understand how dining dollars
work and how to maximize their value through Meal Deals, retail flexibility, and budgeting
tools. Communications and resources will be made available throughout the year to
help students make informed decisions.
How is Bearcat Dining communicating value to students?
The dining team is focused on three core messages:
- Value – Helping students understand how to stretch dining dollars.
- Meal deal pricing in dining halls to showcase value of meal plans
- Flexibility – Showing where and how plans can be used.
- Campus location maps, a-frames, digital screens, physical posters.
- Future Planning – Demonstrating how student feedback will shape future dining experiences.
Dining Hall Pricing
Where can I find current dining prices?
Current Meal Deal and À La Carte pricing is available online and reflects the prices
students can expect to see across the dining halls. For the most up-to-date information,
please review the published pricing sheet: View Current Pricing Sheet.
How much does a typical meal cost?
Meal costs vary depending on the items selected or if a student chooses to dine using
a Meal Deal options or purchase items individually. Meal deals are capped at $11 and
include a beverage. These complete meal options will be available throughout the dining
halls at price points of $6, $8, and $11.
Why do prices seem different from previous years?
The current program no longer includes a membership fee, meaning every dollar on a
meal plan is available to spend on meals and food purchases.
Are the prices listed online the same prices students will pay?
Yes. The published Meal Deal and À La Carte pricing reflects the prices students can expect to see across all dining halls. For the most
accurate and current information, students and families should refer to the official
pricing sheet.
Student Experience
What new dining options are available?
Students will see:
- New dining concepts and menu variety
- Additional Halal and Kosher offerings
- Expanded allergen-friendly dining
- Global cuisine concepts
- Food trucks and local partnerships
- Enhanced retail experiences across campus.
What is Delicious Without?
Delicious Without is Bearcat Dining's allergen-friendly dining platform that offers
menu items prepared without the top allergens and gluten. The program is available
in multiple residential dining locations and supports students with allergies, sensitivities,
and special dietary needs.
How are dietary accommodations supported?
Bearcat Dining is committed to supporting students with food allergies, dietary restrictions,
and individual nutrition needs. Students are encouraged to connect with Bearcat Dining's
Registered Dietitians, who can provide personalized guidance on dining locations, menu options, ingredient
information, and strategies for navigating campus dining safely and confidently.
For students seeking formal dietary accommodations related to a disability, the accommodation process begins through Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). The dining team works closely with SSD and the student to help identify appropriate dining solutions and support plans.
If you have questions about food allergies, dietary restrictions, or special dietary needs, connect with the dietitian team as early as possible so they can help make your dining experience successful.
Feedback and Continuous Improvement
How can students provide feedback?
Students can share feedback through:
- Dining feedback forms
- Student Dining Council
- Surveys and focus groups
- Tabling and pop-up events
- Dining email channels
- Text-to-chat tools
- Direct conversations with associates and managers
Bearcat Dining is committed to actively reviewing and applying student feedback to improve the dining experience.
How is feedback being used?
Student input is a key component of Bearcat Dining's long-term planning process. Feedback
is used to inform menu development, communication strategies, service enhancements,
operational improvements, and future meal plan discussions. Feedback doesn't disappear
into a suggestion box. Bearcat Dining’s goal is to listen, respond, and share how
student feedback influences future decisions
Sustainability
What sustainability initiatives are part of Bearcat Dining?
Current and planned sustainability efforts include:
- Food recovery partnerships
- Reusable container programs
- Waste reduction initiatives
- Student sustainability internships
- Technology to help reduce food waste
- Local and regional sourcing efforts
- Sustainability education and engagement programs.
If you have further questions about Bearcat Dining’s sustainability program, reach out to Sustainability Manager, Chris Harasta at Chris.Harasta@compass-usa.com.