By Isaac Nielsen, OMAHA, Neb. – Starting in fall 2025, all on-campus residents at the University of Nebraska at Omaha will be required to purchase at least $100 worth of Dining Dollars as part of their housing agreement. While the goal is to enhance campus dining options and foster community engagement, the new requirement has raised concerns among some students, who feel that this additional expense may not be necessary or fair.
A sign detailing the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Dining Dollars program as seen on a table inside UNO Milo Bail Student Center. Isaac Nielsen/The Omaha News
A New Dining Dollars Program
UNO’s Dining Dollars program is designed to provide students with flexible dining options across both Dodge and Scott campuses. These funds can be used at a variety of on-campus dining locations, including Starbucks at Criss Library, the MBSC Food Court, Durango’s Grill, and more. The new $100 minimum requirement ensures that all on-campus residents have an account with Dining Dollars, which can be used to purchase meals, snacks, and beverages at participating venues.
Restaurants like Chick-fil-A (pictured) could see an influx of customers with UNO’s new Dining Dollars policy requiring on-campus residents to purchase at least $100 worth of Dining Dollars. Isaac Nielsen/The Omaha News
In addition to the base $100 plan, students can upgrade their Dining Dollars account to $300 or $500 for added flexibility throughout the semester. However, some students are questioning the necessity of this mandatory charge, especially when they already have access to full kitchens in their dorms.
Student Reactions: Concerns About Rising Costs
Aiden Barger, an on-campus resident, expressed frustration with the new fee, calling it an additional financial burden.
“Frankly, the new fee is pretty disappointing,” Barger said. “These kinds of things add up for students. I know for myself, personally, I’m full-time, but I also have to work to cover my food costs as is. So it’s really just kind of taken away some of that freedom, and it really kind of feels, as a student, kind of like a cash grab from the university.”
Gracie Murphy, a resident assistant on Dodge Campus, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the perceived unfairness of the requirement.
“The Dining Dollar requirements I think are just another little money grab the university has,” Murphy said. “College is already very expensive, and the dorm here is already a lot of money, plus you have a full kitchen that you can cook anything you need in it with a big fridge and freezer. So I think having it be a requirement just doesn’t seem the fairest.”
UNO’s Response: Aiming for Convenience and Community Building
According to a statement released by UNO earlier this month, the new Dining Dollars program aims to improve the overall student experience by making on-campus dining more convenient and promoting a stronger campus community.
“Dining is more than just grabbing a meal—it’s about fostering community and enhancing the student experience on campus,” the release read. “We believe this program will encourage students to spend more time on campus, connecting with peers while enjoying quality food options.”
The university also highlighted the flexibility of the Dining Dollars program, noting that the $100 requirement can be increased to better fit individual needs. The funds will carry over from fall to spring semester, but any unused balance will be forfeited at the end of the spring semester. Additionally, purchases made with Dining Dollars are exempt from sales tax, providing students with some savings.
As the semester progresses, it remains to be seen whether student feedback will lead to any adjustments to the program. For now, UNO students are encouraged to make the most of the new plan and explore the variety of dining options available across campus.
