Meals for Mentoring Frequently Asked Questions

PhD students can participate in the Meals for Mentoring (M4M) program, which allows them to invite mentors for a complimentary lunch to discuss topics such as research, coursework, career goals, or personal and professional development. Each term, students are provided with four meal swipes to host a mentor. Below are some frequently asked questions.

M4M FAQs

How do I enroll in the M4M meal program?

At the beginning of each term, a message is sent out to PhD students to enroll in the meal program.

If I miss the deadline to enroll, can I still request meal swipes?

Facilitating swipes is a large task that involves coordinating with many operational units. It is much more efficient to process swipes at one time, and for this reason we will not allow enrollments after the deadline.

How many swipes do I get?

M4M participants receive four swipes per term.

Who should I contact with questions about the M4M meal program?

Write to Cassidy MacNamara at cassidy.macnamara@yale.edu for M4M assistance.

How can I monitor the number of remaining swipes?

You can ask a dining hall desk attendant for the number of remaining "Dining Point" swipes on your ID or you can visit the Yale ID Card Services page. Click on Student/Staff Login link in the left column to access your meal plan account. Please note, only meal plans on Yale IDs are viewable, not meal voucher cards.

Can swipes be used during all mealtimes?

No. The meal swipes can only be used during lunchtime meals.

Residential Dining Halls: 11:30am – 1:00pm
Commons, Café Med & West Campus: 11:00am – 3:00pm

Can swipes be used on the weekends?

No. The meal program swipes are only redeemable Monday - Friday during lunch.

When do meal swipes expire?

All swipes will expire on the last day of the term.

Will any unused swipes roll over to the next term?

No. All swipes will expire on the last day of the term.

Which locations redeem swipes?

The meal program swipes can be used at:

Café Med (Medical area)
Schwarzman Center Commons (excludes Elm, The Bow Wow, The Well, and Ivy)
West Campus
Residential college dining hall where you have ID access.

How do I gain access to a residential college dining hall?

If you do not have affiliation with a college, present your ID to a student entering or exiting the college gate and explain you are hosting a mentor to lunch and do not have access, but are permitted to eat in the dining hall.

Are meal swipes at Café Med and West Campus fixed, i.e., is there a spending limit?

Café Med and West Campus dining points have an equivalent of $15.