Residence Life & Housing

Meal Plans

Fuel your semester with flexible meal plans.

Residential students may choose their meal plan during the housing application process. Off-campus students may order a meal plan by contacting Residence Life in UC 117 or by emailing them. Meal plan changes or cancelations must be requested in writing by emailing Residence Life. Prices are subject to change.

Email Residence Life: reslife@western.edu

Meal Plans for First-Year Students (Required)

Blue Mesa Plan

Mountaineer Plan

Meal Plans for Returning & Transfer Students

Please note students living in the Mears Complex must have the Blue Mesa, Mountaineer, or Crimson meal plans. Meal plans are optional for students living in on-campus apartments or in off-campus housing.

Blue Mesa Plan

Mountaineer Plan

Crimson Plan

Mountaineer 80

Mountaineer 40

Mountaineer 20

Explore Dining at Western

Rare Air Café
Mad Jacks
Campus Dietitian

Rare Air Café

As our main dining hall, the café offers a well-balanced, all-you-can-eat selection of food where you can enjoy downtime with friends, classmates, or even just a quiet meal on your own. You’ll find rotating main dishes, a build-your-own omelet station at breakfast, a salad bar, soft-serve ice cream, custom sub sandwiches at lunch, and more.

In a rush or short on dining time? Purchase a “Choose to Reuse” container, load it up, and head off to your next class, meeting, or bus to Crested Butte. The Rare Air has gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.

If you have a specific food allergy, please address your need by calling Dining Services at 970.943.2000.

Rare Air Café Hours

Days Hot Breakfast Continental Breakfast Lunch Extended Lunch
(limited menu)		 Dinner
Monday–Friday 7:15–10 a.m. 10–11 a.m. 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 1:30–2:00 p.m. 4:45–7 p.m.
*Closes at 6:15 p.m. on Fridays
Weekends Brunch
10 a.m.–1 p.m.		 4:45–6:15 p.m.
A photo of the newly renovated Mad Jack's.

Mad Jacks

In the center of the action in the University Center, Mad Jacks features grab-and-go meals and snacks, grilled food, Colorado-sourced coffee, a milkshake machine, boba tea, and more. For your convenience, our meal plans feature flex dollars that can be used at Mad Jacks.

Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and weekends 1-7 p.m.

Campus Dietitian

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist works for Western to collaborate between students and our culinary team. Our campus dietitian provides accommodations for any individual who may experience nutritional issues ranging from a medical condition such as Celiac disease to a food allergy. They also offer nutrition counseling for all students.

Schedule a Meeting with Our Campus Dietitian

Meal Pricing

Rare Air Café is also open to faculty, staff, and visitors.

Individual Meal Pricing

Faculty & Staff Meal Plan

All Things Dining at Your Fingertips

Download the Everyday app (by Dynamify) on your mobile device to view dining hours, menu nutrition, and allergen information for the Rare Air Café.

Download for Apple Download for Android

Residence Life

Director

Assistant Director

Contact Information

970.943.2101
reslife@western.edu

Contact Location

Western Colorado University
University Center 117
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231