Dining at I-House
Sharing meals has been at the heart of our community and mission since before 1924.
In 1912, the Intercollegiate Cosmopolitan Club was established by Harry Edmonds. Each month, members of the Club were invited to Sunday Suppers at the Edmonds’ residence with the purpose of connecting with and learning from other international and US-born students over a shared meal. I-House was founded on the success of years of these shared dinners, and it is essential that dining together remains central to the experience here.
Food is central to of one’s identity, and we aspire for residents of International House to continue the tradition of breaking bread (or pita, matzah, lavash, roti, focaccia, tortillas!) with one another as they have done for a century.
Dining plans
The Dining Hall is one of the most popular spaces for I-House residents to meet and engage in conversations. Using a dining plan guarantees more regular participation from our residents, all with the goal of encouraging community-building and making space where you can easily create new friendships and strengthen old ones.
Each resident must enroll in Plan A and, should they wish to, can upgrade their plan by August 9, 2024.
Plan A |
Plan B |
Plan C |
|
---|---|---|---|
Daily Rate |
$8 |
$10 |
$12 |
Bonus Dining Credit |
N/A |
$200 |
$400 |
Approximate dining cost per semester |
$1,096 |
$1,370 |
$1,644 |
Approximate dining stipend per semester |
$1,096 |
$1,470 |
$1,844 |
Residents are expected to submit payment for their room and dining fees at the beginning of the semester.
Residents may not change their dining plan for any reason after enrolling; selection is final.
How does the dining plan work at I-House?
The daily charge is required for all residents, regardless of length of stay. The full semester’s dining stipend is given as dining credit on the resident’s ID for use like a debit card as the resident wishes in the dining hall.
Dining charges carry over from semester to semester so long as there are no breaks in the resident’s stay. Upon departure, any unused dining credit is forfeited, regardless of whether the resident intends on returning to the House.
Dining updates for the 2024-2025 academic year
Dinner with Friends
Each month, I-House hosts Dinner with Friends, a three hour themed buffet dinner celebrating one culture or holiday per month. Past events have included a Hawaiian luau with a best-dressed prize, a Mexican fiesta featuring a mariachi band, an American BBQ, and more.
Reusable OZZI Containers
After considering the Resident Council Green Initiatives proposal shared with us this spring, we looked at a number of options to reduce waste in the Dining Hall and have invested in OZZI to Go (O2GO) reusable containers. To start using the OZZI system, residents and staff pay a one-time fee of $8 to the cashier in the Dining Hall. Once you have paid, the cashier will give you a green keychain carabiner that can be redeemed for an O2GO container.
I-House Pub
Residents will be able to use their dining money in the I-House Pub. Please be aware the Pub is scheduled to be closed from August 1 – September 10.
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Dining FAQs
How does the dining plan work at I-House?
August 7, 2024
There is a daily charge required for all residents, regardless of length of stay. That amount is given as dining credit on the resident’s ID, available for use as the resident wishes in the dining hall. Residents can choose from one of the following tiers:
How is the food priced?
July 25, 2024
Prepared meals that rotate every meal are available for purchase by weight. Other options, like prepared sandwiches and grill options have set prices. A standard breakfast will cost approximately $3-$6; a typical lunch averages around $7-$10; an average dinner can cost anywhere from $9-$15.
Will I be able to eat three meals in the dining hall with the daily rate?
August 7, 2024
No. The minimum daily charge will typically last a resident about halfway through their stay if they are eating two meals a day in the dining hall. It is not meant to serve as a resident's full food cost for the time that they stay at I-House.
Can I add more dining credit to my ID card?
July 25, 2024
Residents can always add more dining credit to their ID card at the Bursar Office.
When is the dining hall expected to be closed for the upcoming terms?
July 25, 2024
The dining hall will be closed on the following dates:
Summer break: August 5th – August 19, 2024
Winter break: December 22nd – January 4, 2025