UM-Flint focused on safety, flexibility with Food Service options

The University of Michigan-Flint has made changes to food service options this Fall semester to ensure the safety of students and provide greater flexibility in using their meal plans.

The coronavirus pandemic has necessitated change at university and colleges across the United States. At UM-Flint, most courses will be taught online during the Fall semester, meaning fewer people will be on campus. That also means Food Service will look different this year.

"Planning for food service for the Fall semester started with determining how many people were expected to be on campus each day of the fall semester and the number of people who have chosen to live on campus," said Gina Rose, Acting Director for Event & Building Services | Food Services | Printing Services.

Some on-campus vendors decided they would not be able to open during the fall with low on-campus attendance, she said.

Picasso Restaurant Group locations, which include Cafe Blue, Blue Bistro, and Picasso@UCEN, will not be open during the fall semester. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors can find food service options in the University Pavilion, such as Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Sportlite Grill, Shawerma Bite, and O'Blendz.

Vending machines will stay open throughout campus.

Food and beverages can only be consumed in three designated dining locations, University Center second floor, William S. White Building first floor, and University Pavilion first floor. Each dining area is marked by clear signs, will have limited seating, and require a 10-feet distance between people.

For students living on campus, there is a Voucher Exchange Program for students to purchase vouchers for local vendors with their meal plan money, Rose said. UM-Flint also adjusted meal plans to offer only Maize Money for the Fall and Winter semesters to allow greater flexibility for students. Meal plans also have been reduced based on the number of days students will live on campus this semester.

Downtown Flint offers many food options, which UM-Flint Dining Services compiled into a list.

Picasso Restaurant Group is the University caterer, and campus community members can submit requests online. Catering is available in single-serve meals that staff will place on tables ahead of the event. Currently, indoor events are limited to 10 people and outdoor events are limited to 100 people.

"In order to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff, and our community, it will take each and every one of us to accept and live the Wolverines Care Pledge," Rose said.