Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to live on campus and purchase a meal plan?
How do I sign up for a meal plan?
How much does a meal plan cost?
How long am I under contract if I sign a meal plan?
Can I eat without my Student ID card?
Where can I eat with my meal plan?
What is Bearkat Express and where do I use it?
How can I check my Bearkat Express?
Is my Bearkat Express refundable?
What are the cafeterias' hours of operation?
Am I required to live on campus and purchase a meal plan?
Only those students who graduated from high school in the current academic year are required to live on campus and purchase a 15, 20, or any 160 meal plan for the upcoming academic year.
How do I sign up for a meal plan?
If you are a "required first year student" (you graduated from high school in the previous academic year that you started college), then you will find your meal plan options included in your Academic Year First Year Contract.
For anyone other than required first year student, the student will need to sign up every semester (Fall and Spring) for a meal plan. Meal plans are available online under the Residence Life link on SamWeb. After a student signs up for a meal plan, it will be added on the system, and the student will then need to run a fee statement to reflect the semester dining charges.
How much does a meal plan cost?
| Fall 2009 - Spring 2009 | |
| 20 meal plan plus $100 Bonus Points | $1,236.00 per sem. |
| 15 meal plan plus $175 Bonus Points | $1,236.00 per sem. |
| Any 160 meal plan plus $150 Bonus Points | $1,236.00 per sem. |
| 5 meal plan plus $150 Bonus Points | $656.00 per sem. |
| Any 50 Meals per semester plus $100 Bonus Points | $412.00 per sem. |
| Any 25 Meals per semester plus $150 Bonus Points | $312.00 per sem. |
How long am I under contract if I sign a meal plan?
A required first year student at SHSU is required to purchase a meal plan for two semesters (one academic year). For anyone other than required first year students, the contractual obligation is just for a semester.
Can I eat without my Student ID card?
No, you may not eat without a valid Student ID card. If you have lost your ID card, then you need to contact the Bearkat OneCard Office located in the Lowman Student Center or call (936) 294-CARD.
Where can I eat with my meal plan?
On the meal plan, you can eat at Cafe Belvin or the Tortilla Fresca area in the SouthPaw during their hours of operation.
What is Bearkat Express and where do I use it?
The Bearkat Express is a declining balance account that can be used to purchase items at the following food locations on campus: Cafe Belvin, Pawprint inside the Lowman Student Center (featuring Chick-fil-A, Pan Geos Salad Garden, and Burger King Express) or the SouthPaw (featuring Subway, Pizza Hut Express, and Tortilla Fresca). Students can deposit money into the Bearkat Express account at the Cashier's Office, the Residence Life Office, or make an online deposit with Bearkat Express online payment system. A minimum of $25.00 is required to make a deposit. Bearkat Express is accessed through the Sam ID card.
How can I check my Bearkat Express?
Students can view their outstanding bearkat bonus points on Sam Web.
Is my Bearkat Express refundable?
All Bearkat Express accounts are cleared out at the conclusion of Summer Session II classes. This means that any balance on those accounts are cleared to a zero amount and no refunds are given. The best thing to keep in mind regarding this issue is to use it or lose it. The only exception to this rule is if you resign from school.
What are the cafeteria's hours of operation?
| Belvin | Breakfast | Continental |
Lunch | Dinner |
| Monday - Thursday | 7:00 - 9:00 | 9:00 - 10:00 |
10:30 - 3:00 | 4:00 -10:00 |
| Friday | 7:00 - 9:00 | 9:00 - 10:00 |
10:30 - 4:00 | 4:00 - 7:00 |
| Saturday | 8:00-10:00 | 11:00-1:30 | 5:00 - 8:00 | |
| Sunday | Brunch 10:00 - 3:00 |
5:00 - 8:00 | ||
| PawPrint / SouthPaw / C3 | |
| Monday - Thursday | 7:00 am - 8:00 pm |
| Friday | 7:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Saturday & Sunday | Closed |