First years have the Castle and Plus Dollars. Cash free orders of Big Bird sandwiches and Pav dining. Just swipe the card and declare "Plus!"
But when upperclassmen move off Grounds and start eating out, the cash seems to evaporate. Back in 1992 the Corner Meal Plan emerged, touting a debit based meal plan alternative and proudly calling itself "THE Upper-class Meal Plan of Choice."
After the Corner Meal Plan's eight year domination along University Avenue, there's a new meal plan in town: The Core Account.
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"I heard last year that the Core Account was replacing the Corner Meal Plan, so I didn't buy" the Corner Meal Plan, second-year College student Maria Cardamone said. "But now that I know it's still around, I'm thinking about getting it."
Corner Meal Plan Manager Rich Walter said he doesn't see the Core Account as a threat and his company simply has continued to provide the "good service" they are known for.
"We've been signing hundreds of customers since school started up," Walter said. "Students realize it's established."
Nicknamed "Your Alternative Meal Plan," the new Core Account initiates competition for business on the Corner, but students may be unsure about which plan is right for them.
"I was disappointed to find that some of my favorite restaurants were not on the Corner Meal Plan anymore," said fourth-year Education student Christine Bohannon, a current Corner Meal Plan member. "It came as a surprise. I'm going to be here another year, and if the Core Account has the restaurants that the CMP lost, I will definitely consider switching."
Subway and other restaurants, such as College Inn, Arch's, St. Maarten's Cafe, Baja Bean Co., and Northern Exposure have made the switch from the Corner Meal Plan to the Core Account.
"We haven't really done anything to combat it," Corner Meal Plan's Walter said. "We're just trying to serve the same student body we always have, year after year."
Some restaurants are remaining on the Corner Meal Plan and also joining up with the Core Account. The Greenskeeper, Jerry's Subs and Pizza, Liquid, Caf
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