Elmhurst University’s dining services team, operated by Chartwells, recently announced a big change coming this fall to the campus dining experience—the current à la carte retail meal plans will be replaced by a new, all-you-care-to-eat model.
“Our goal is to create a dining program that reflects the needs and preferences of our students while maintaining a commitment to quality and affordability,” said Elizabeth Walters, marketing manager for Chartwells Higher Education.
It’s the latest initiative to come out of the University’s 20-year partnership with Chartwells Higher Education.
Throughout that time, Chartwells has played a vital role in shaping the campus experience, often going beyond traditional dining services to foster community engagement and enrichment through programs like First Year Eats, Dining Ambassadors, Joyful Events and the Cultural Series.
As part of its ongoing commitment to the University, Chartwells also dedicates annual funds to student scholarships, the campus garden and student organizations, further enhancing campus life and supporting student success.
“Chartwells Higher Education has been an innovative, creative partner to Elmhurst University in ways that enrich nearly every aspect of the Elmhurst experience, not only for our students but also our employees, visitors and community,” said Bill Sanders, assistant vice president for business and finance. “We’re very excited about the new dining program, and looking forward to future collaborations with this great organization.”
Set to launch in the 2025-2026 academic year, the new dining program will allow for the use of Jaypass swipes and dining dollars in different campus locations.
The new meal plans reflect student, faculty and staff feedback collected over the past two years through surveys, focus groups and partnership meetings. More opportunities will be offered throughout the Spring Term to participate in focus groups, virtual town halls, all-you-care-to-eat preview events and more.
“The Elmhurst Dining team is thrilled to continue our partnership and strengthen the relationships we’ve built across departments and student organizations,” said Angel Almodovar, director of dining services. “As we build upon this foundation, student feedback and involvement will remain at the heart of our approach. We look forward to collaborating on upcoming dining enhancements, including the transition to an all-you-care-to-eat model, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for the campus community.”