Everyone needs to eat, right? Kean University offers a wide variety of eatery options, as well as a meal plan to fit anyone’s appetite.

Meal Plans

Freshmen residents are required to have a meal plan, which differs from the upperclassmen meal plans. The freshman meal plan is called MK-100 and includes unlimited meal swipes for the new residence hall dining facility.

The meal plan also includes $150 Cougar Dollars, which will allow them to purchase items from other eateries on campus. Students may purchase additional Cougar Dollars and use them at designated eateries.

The meal plan costs $1,811 per semester and will be assigned after students have registered. The freshmen meal plan also includes two guest wipes per month, however, unused swipes will not carry over to the next month.

The upperclassmen and returning freshmen residence, will have a meal plan called KB-96, which will also be assigned after they are registered. This plan is made for students who do not find themselves in the residence dining facilities frequently.

This meal plan consists of 96 meal swipes for the residence hall dining facility, and $250 Cougar Dollars. The meal plan costs $1,283.

Any Cougar Dollars not used after the first semester will carry over into the next semester, however, after the second semester, leftover Cougar Dollars will not be carried over to the next semester.

Upperclassmen, with the exclusion of returning freshmen, have the option of the new meal plan which is called the declining balance meal plan, which is funded with Cougar Dollars. With this plan, students will be able to purchase items from all eateries on campus.

There are also Cougar Dollars plan, for any students that wish to add Cougar Dollars to their meal plan account. It is also available for commuter students and staff to purchase, since it can be used at any eateries on campus.

Refunds of all meal plans will be given up until the third week of the semester. After this deadline, an added charge will be given when requesting a refund of any meal plan.

Students are not permitted to exchange their Cougar Dollars for alcohol, drugs, or money orders. If a student wishes to change their meal plan, they may do so by going to “Change My Meal Plan” under the “Meal Plan Options” menu, located on KeanWISE.

A student who wishes to cancel their meal plan may due so after they withdraw from Kean University or after they have terminated their housing.

The residence hall dining facility is located in the New Upperclassmen Residence Hall (NURH). It is open from Monday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Campus Eateries

If a student wishes to eat somewhere other than the residence hall dining facility, there are many eateries on campus to choose from.

• University Food Court

The food court offers many choices; the Noodle Bar & Hot Sandwich Shoppe, Deli Delicious, Pasta Station, Tex Mex, Brick Oven Pizza, Entree Buffet, Salad bar, Grill, Grab & Go, Breakfast & Bakery, with a full line of beverages including a line of organic drinks.

The food court is located in the Miron Student Center (MSC) and is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed Saturday and Sunday.

• Cougar’s Den

The Cougar’s Den offers a variety of meal options that are made with all natural ingredients. They also provide healthy smoothies, gourmet soups, sandwiches and salads.

The Cougar’s Den is located in the MSC and is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is closed on Sunday.

• Starbucks

There are two Starbucks coffeehouses and one kiosk Starbucks, located on campus. There is one located in the Barnes and Noble in the Green Lane Academic Building (GLAB). Another is located in the Nancy Thompson Library and another on the third floor of the Maxine and Jack Lane Center for Academic Success (CAS) building.

The Green Lane Starbucks is open from Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed on Sunday.

The library Starbucks is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed on Sunday.

The CAS Starbucks is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Friday to Sunday.

• Outtakes

Outtakes is a small marketplace located in the MSC. It serves as a grab and go station for on-the-go students that need a quick snack or toiletry items.

Outtakes is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Other Eateries

Smashburger, which was recently added to the Kean campus in fall 2016, is located in the MSC right next to Outtakes. It is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is closed Saturday to Sunday.

Auntie Anne’s, also recently added to Kean’s campus, is located in the MSC right next to Smashburger. It is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed Saturday to Sunday.

Jersey Mike’s, is located in the MSC, inside the food court. It is open from Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed Saturday to Sunday.

The MSC food court and the Cougar's Den offer a meal swipe program that allows students to use their meal swipes to purchase certain meal options at designated times. The MSC food court starts its meal swipe program Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. The Cougar’s Den starts their program Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cougar Dollars can be used at all eateries with the exclusion of the Starbucks in Barnes and Noble located in the Green Lane Academic Building.