There's a direct correlation between a well-fed body and a well-fueled brain. So to combat the scholarly temptation to skip a meal -- or do the opposite and over-indulge on all the pizza you can eat -- Central Michigan University has a wide-range of on-campus dining options to keep students and their synapses firing at the highest possible level.

Some things to know about campus dining while prepping for move-in day:

Pick your plan

University dining offers three price ranges for its culinary offerings, so you can pick the option that is right for you.

The all-access meals plus $450 FLEX dollars per semester plan offers unlimited swipes and meals in dining halls. It costs $3,058 per semester.
Central 16 gives you 16 meal swipes per week (that’s two a day and remainder) plus $300 FLEX dollars per semester. This plan costs $2,896 per semester.
Central 12 gives you 12 meal swipes per week in a dining hall, plus $400 FLEX dollars. This plan costs $2,614.

Each plan gives you six free guest passes per semester.

Oh, and FLEX dollars can be paid using your phone, and can be used restaurants on campus that don't accept meal swipes, such as Central Eats in the ground floor of the Bovee University Center.

Know your surroundings

The first thing you should do is get the “Dine on Campus” app. It lists open hours and options available at different locations, includes a map of some dining options on campus, and even allows the user to contact dining hall staff, including a dietitian, under “more."

There are QR codes at the entrance to the dining halls. Or, you can just look up the app on your phone. Type in “Central Michigan University” as your school and you should be good to go!

I don’t know about you, but I don’t often want to wander around campus seeking food. Luckily, there are many places to eat on campus.

Markets at Towers, Woldt and Merrill:

Closes at 12 a.m./ 12 a.m/ 6 p.m., respectively

As well as a freezer and dried goods section where you can restock on comfort foods for those late-night study sessions, there is also a Subway in Towers that closes at 11 p.m. These options are helpful on those days when you really don’t want to eat in a hall.

You can shop with a card, or use FLEX dollars from your meal plan.

Eatery in Towers:

Closes at 7:30 p.m.

As of Spring 2024, the Eatery has closed most of its walk-in options. The stations are now mostly pre-order, including mini pizzas, sandwiches or subs. You can get cheeseburgers and chicken tenders at the Flame. There is also a daily special, and a “Delicious Without” stand that sometimes serves cultural foods.

There are fruit, soup and salad to grab; desserts and an ice-cream machine. There are also make-your-own options for breakfast, including a waffle machine, breakfast sandwiches and omelets via pre-order.

Merrill Virtual Food Hall:

Closes at 11 p.m.

According to the website, Merrill Virtual Food Hall operates as a mobile-ordering concept, allowing students to pre-order their meals and pick them up. Among the options:

Breakfast & Co. Grill makes burgers, chicken and fries. It also serves pancakes, milkshakes and omelets.
Get pizza and brownies at 500 Degrees
Or try the rice, vegetables, chicken and other options at Global Grill.

Dine & Connect in East:

Closes at 7:30 p.m.

Scan into Dine and Connect and seek your meal in the circle. Dine and Connect has many self-serve options. The hall has three stations, according to the website:

Flame serves breakfast foods
Bowl Life has rotating food, for example an omelet bar
Sweet Shoppe offers desserts

Like the Eatery, Dine & Connect also offers fruit, yogurt and make-your-own breakfast. I recommend the Mexican food and other rotating meals. They always have fruit, pizza and soup to grab.

Ponder Coffee at Park Library and Health Professions:

Closes at 5 p.m./4 p.m., respectively

One of my personal favorite spots on campus, Ponder Coffee is nestled to the side of the north Library entrance; a second location opened in January 2023 in the Health Professionals Building. The cafe gets busy toward the middle of the semester.

The baristas are very nice and the atmosphere is cozy. It also offers quick dining for that 30-minute period between classes, with sandwiches, baked goods and a wide range of coffee drinks to keep you fueled up.

Bovee University Center:

The UC, on East Preston Road opposite the Library, is a hotspot of different restaurants offering FLEX and credit/debit card purchase options.

The lower level of the UC (the Central Eats Food Court) also has a study space similar to a dining hall, with several restaurants. Order at a kiosk (you'll pay with FLEX or a card) and have a seat while you wait for your made-to-order meal. The environment is usually good for studying and talking with friends.

Most places at the UC are unavailable Friday and during the weekend or have limited hours.

Some food options at the UC are:

Starbucks
Slim Chickens
Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steak Burger
Central Boba
Idli Dosa
Curly Noodle
Shake Smart
UC mini market

Others:

Individual buildings on campus offer food options as well. For example, the Education and Human Services Building is home to an Einstein Bros. Bagels and Grawn Hall hosts Which Wich.