Student Life Policies and Procedures Dining Services

Dining Website

The best starting point for accessing Dining information on-line is our provider’s website at  westmont.cafebonappetit.com, with some additional information at the college’s page at  “Auxiliary Services.

Board program at the Dining Commons

Students on a meal plan are welcome to eat, socialize and study in the dining commons (DC).The Dining Commons hours are posted online, including limited hours during holidays.. Anyone who purchases the standard meal plan has access to the dining commons during these hours. A limited 15-entries-per-week or 10-entries- per-week plan are also available to all students except first-year students during the fall semester. Students and others not on a board meal plan can pay per entry.

Late Night Dining in El Tejado at the Dining Commons

Except holidays, late night dining is available from DC close until 11pm Monday through Thursday. This includes the same “We Proudly Brew” Starbucks served at Ritchie’s Place. The Dining Commons patio is also open and accessible all night even after dining service closes as a place to gather. Late Night Dining is accessed via the patio side.

Retail Coffee and Snack Shop

A “We Proudly Brew” Starbucks outlet called Ritchie’s Place is also available on campus on weekdays. Information about Ritchie’s Place can be found at  westmont.cafebonappetit.com. 

Flex Dollars included in Meal Plans

Student Meal Plans include “Board Flex Dollars'' that can be used at the Dining Commons or Ritchie’s Place for retail purchases, including treating guests. Fall Flex Dollars carry over to Spring if you are still on campus, but the combined Fall/Spring Flex Dollars expire at the end of Spring semester. The system uses Flex Dollars before voluntarily purchased Student Dollars..

Voluntary Dollar Options

Visit  westmont.cafebonappeit.com to add a prepaid balance to your account accessed by your ID card (minimum purchase required). Voluntarily purchased Student Dollars  can be used in the dining commons or at Ritchie’s Place, and for your guests at either location any time.  Student Dollar purchases never expire, and can be refunded whenever you leave Westmont.

Sack Lunches 

If you have a schedule conflict preventing you from accessing the dining commons regularly between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., you can request the Sack Lunch Program online, and must include a copy of your class schedule. Please allow a few days for processing your request. 

Entering the Dining Commons without Paying or “Scanning in”

There is a $50 fine for entering the DC without paying or scanning in.  The same fine also applies for allowing someone else to use your access, unless you are with them and are using Student Dollars  (or other funds) to purchase guest entry for them. Your Meal Plan can never be used to provide access to someone else. The same fine also applies to opening an alarmed and/or locked side door for someone to enter.

Removing Food or Dishes from the DC

The college has a continuous dining program on regular board days which allows for access most of the day to those who have purchased meal plans or individual meals. It is important to the well-being of the entire community that this privilege is not abused. Diners who have eaten in the DC may leave with a piece of fruit or a dessert in their hand. Diners who have eaten in the DC may also leave with a beverage in their own mug (but not larger containers). Food being removed should be visible to the cashier, and at no time should any food be put in backpacks, etc. while still inside the DC. Other types of food, entrees, etc., must be consumed in the DC and not removed unless the diner has purchased a to-go container when entering, does then not dine in the DC, and food may only be removed in that container. Dishes, cups, silverware, etc., may never be removed from the DC for any reason. Diners who violate these policies will be assessed a $50 fine per occurrence.   

Throwing Food

Throwing food, wadded paper or other objects is prohibited because it is unsafe, messy and disrespectful to those who work in dining services. The consequences for such actions are a minimum fine of $50 along with work hours and the possible loss of board-plan privileges.

Feedback Welcome!! Food Service Committee

We want your feedback. Please use the feedback cards in the dining commons, contact (or join!) the Student Food Team, or comment directly to Bon Appetit  at https://westmont.cafebonappetit.com/. Various annual satisfaction surveys are also conducted throughout the year.