A GUIDE TO HOSPITALITY SERVICES, STUDENT HOUSING,
AND MORE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
Life on
CAMPUS
CAMPUS
Table of Contents
1
Welcome to U of Guelph
3
Our Food Philosophy
5
Dining on Campus
6
Campus ID Card | Meal Plans
8
Nutritious Eating on Campus
11 Student Housing Services
12 Our Communities
13 Choosing Your Residence
14 What to Expect: The Residence Experience
15 Parking on Campus
17 Shopping on Campus
23 Our Initiatives
28 Join our team
29 Talk to us
29 Text n' Tell
29 Ombudsperson
30 Contact the Team
1
Welcome to Guelph
ED TOWNSLEY Associate Vice President, Ancillary Services
Welcome to the University of Guelph where our success is based on
a devotion to providing excellent quality and service.
Since our inception, we have strived for excellence in everything that
we do.
Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of the University
community, while expanding resources for the University's financial
stability and growth. Our award-winning services support the
academic and extracurricular goals of the University and set the
global standard for services in higher education.
We care about our people, strive for sustainability, carry ourselves
with integrity, aim to have impact, and are devoted to excellence.
We embody our core values throughout all of our operations to
improve life.
Housing and Hospitality Services have been named the #1 service
provider in Canada by Maclean’s Magazine for over ten years.
I hope that your time with us will prove enjoyable and rewarding.
Sincerely,
Ed Townsley
2 LIFE ON CAMPUS | ANCILLARY SERVICES
Our Food Philosophy
VIJAY NAIR Assistant Director, Culinary Operations
3
We believe delicious meals begin with fresh, local ingredients. Farm
to food service, our chefs are passionate about preparing the best
of the bounty, from regional farmers, producers and partners. We're
committed to preserving local, and sustaining Ontario.
Our culinary teams strive to prepare good food made with carefully
chosen ingredients, that allow us to share tales from our local food
journey. We champion food with a conscience, aligning menus with
Canada's Food Guide and our Ontario growing seasons. Our made-
from-scratch dishes tell stories – of respecting our land, oceans,
farms, and ethnic diversity. Food sustainability thrives through
partnerships and diversity, which we are constantly growing.
Local sourcing, bulk purchasing, farmer collaborations, varied
ingredients, adaptability, and messaging define our path toward a
greener campus. We are privileged to be able to serve the university
community as it gives our culinary team an opportunity to reflect on
the importance of the food culture on campus. Our customers drive
us to learn and draw inspiration from the world around us and to
create a more sustainable food future for all.
We hope you enjoy your culinary experiences at the University
of Guelph!
Sincerely,
Vijay Nair
4 LIFE ON CAMPUS | ANCILLARY SERVICES
5
Dining on Campus
DID YOU
KNOW?
There are over 20
diferent dining
facilities conveniently
located on the
University of Guelph
campus. We
recommend visiting
all the dining facilities
to try out the various
food choices which
change daily.
LOCAL INGREDIENTS,
INTERNATIONAL FLAVOURS
Get ready to discover dining on campus! We bring you the best
of both worlds: the freshest local ingredients and an explosion
of international flavours. Picture farm-fresh veggies and meats
supporting our community, combined with the vibrant tastes of Asia,
the Mediterranean, Africa, and Latin America. From stir-fries to sushi,
from Mediterranean delights to zesty Latin American spices, our
campus dining options will take your taste buds on an unforgettable
journey. Join us and savor the joy of diverse, flavourful meals that
celebrate local and global culinary delights.
6 LIFE ON CAMPUS | ANCILLARY SERVICES
Your Campus ID Card
MEAL PLANS
As a university student, you're embarking on an exciting journey filled
with new experiences, knowledge, and personal growth. One aspect
of campus life that plays a significant role in your overall well-being
is dining. To ensure you have access to a variety of food options, we
ofer on-campus meal plans, consisting of two primary components:
Basic Food Dollars and Flex Dollars.
BASIC FOOD DOLLARS:
DINING ON CAMPUS
At the core of your meal plan lies the Basic Food Dollars.
Exclusively designed for food purchases at most of our Hospitality
Services dining locations, these dollars ensure you never miss out on
a meal or snack. Whether it's a quick bite amidst lectures or a hearty
dinner after a rigorous study session, Basic Food Dollars have got
you covered.
One of the key advantages of Basic Food Dollars is their eligibility
for exclusive discounts at on-campus dining locations. This not
only boosts your dining budget but also guarantees optimum value
for your money. However, it's worth noting that while most dining
locations ofer these discounts, campus-based franchises are an
exception. Another perk of utilizing Basic Food Dollars is that these
purchases are tax-exempt (HST).
OPTIMIZING YOUR MEAL PLAN: HANDY TIPS
AS YOU NAVIGATE THROUGH UNIVERSITY LIFE,
HERE ARE SOME POINTERS TO OPTIMIZE YOUR MEAL PLAN:
■ Evaluate your dining preferences and budget: Take some time to consider your
dietary needs, culinary preferences, and estimated dining budget. This will help you
choose the most suitable meal plan option and allocate your dollars accordingly.
■ Explore Dining Venues: Acquaint yourself with the various dining spots on and
of-campus that accept meal plan payments. By knowing your options, you can make
informed decisions about where to eat and plan your dining adventures accordingly.
■ Budget Wisely: Regularly monitor your dining expenses and strategize your spending
to ensure a steady fund flow throughout the semester.
■ Leverage Discounts: Utilize the discounts available with Basic Food Dollars and enjoy
the tax-exempt status of these purchases ensuring maximum returns on your meal plan.
DID YOU KNOW?
Our meal plans are declining
balance. That means they
work like a prepaid card. Every
time you buy food, the cost is
deducted from your account.
Learn more about
Meal Plans by
scanning the
QR code