Residents of Iowa State’s dorms who don’t find tater-tot casserole or chicken Kiev tantalizing won’t be limited to Dining Service’s menu by as early as next fall.

ISU officials are investigating a new meal plan that will allow students to use their ISU cards for eating in places other than the residence hall dining centers.

Some of the changes the plan would bring might start next fall, but Vice President of Business and Finance Warren Madden said most of the changes will happen late next year. He said the proposal for the new plan is due to ISU President Martin Jischke for review by the end of the semester.

“The goal is to improve the variety, quality, accessibility and portability of food on campus,” Madden said.

The plan will combine the residence hall food service system with the Memorial Union’s food court. This would allow for students to eat anywhere in the food court of the Memorial Union, residence halls or convenience stores by using their ISU meal plans.

“It’s clear that’s what they want,” ISU Director of Residence Randy Alexander said. “They want to use their food points anywhere on campus.”

Alexander said one advantage of the new plan is that it will put “flex dollars” on students’ cards. Flex dollars are money on ISU cards that students can use at convenience stores.

Students would buy the block meal plan as usual, deciding how many meals they would eat each week throughout the semester, Alexander said. The flex dollars would be included in the food bill students pay each semester.

“We hope to add some flex dollars to the board plan next fall,” Alexander said.

Alexander said he does not think the new plan will cost more for students. In the long run, he said since students would not be spending tangible money but actually using what is on their cards, it might save them money.

Jenny Bailey, sophomore in finance, is in favor of the new food plan.

“I never eat lunch there [at the residence halls],” said Bailey, co-president of Kehlenbeck House in Larch Hall. “I get sick of a sack lunch every day because they serve the same thing all the time. It would be nice to have something hot once in awhile.”

Amy Jones, freshman in mechanical engineering, said since she has a meal plan, she does not want to buy food at places such as the MU food court.

“A lot of times we are on campus already, but we don’t want to waste our money,” said Jones, resident of Bates House in Willow Hall.

Bailey also said she likes the idea of not having to carry a sack lunch to campus.

“I would not have to carry so much stuff in my bag,” Bailey said, “and it would not smash my food.”

Heinz Humm, MU food court manager, said he also thinks the plan will be beneficial.

“I think it would affect us positively. It’s not in terms of making more or less money,” he said. “After all, we are here to satisfy the needs of students.”

Madden said there are more changes in store for students besides just substituting where residents can eat. ISU officials are going to look at how to provide more food service on the north part of campus and modernize and upgrade the residence hall food service, he said.