In 2021/2022, Food Services dramatically reduced the amount of meal plan money students can transfer over at the end of the school year. This change was implemented despite students advocating frequently and loudly over the past two years for Food Services to increase the carryover amounts. We know that the price of meal plans has increased from last year and now students can carry over far less of their own money. The current amount of money students can carry over at the end of the year is minuscule — the amount ranges from $250-$500 after administrative fees — meaning most of the funds students do not use are taken by Food Services at the end of the year. The first year of the declining balance model (2020/2021) allowed students to carry over between $2375 and $2697, so students who didn't spend their money in their first year could still afford food in future years.

We know that there are many students who will not be spending all their money this year - for a variety of reasons, including limited dietary accommodations, extended periods away from residence, and the closure of other spots in which they can spend their money - and it seems the University of Toronto is prioritizing profit over the wellbeing of their own students. Students are facing a range of issues: increased rates of food insecurity, mental health challenges, staggering levels of student debt, soaring international tuition fees, and high rates of job losses in seasonal employment. We also know that many families are struggling financially due to COVID-19 and the related economic challenges of widespread illness and lost wages. Students should not lose their own money, instead, it should be carried over to allow them to cover future expenses.

We request for Food Services to change their policy to reflect the wishes of students: remove all limitations on the amount of money students can carry over to future years. Students and their families work very hard to pay for the cost of their tuition, food and lodging, and other related costs. Currently students can only carry over between 3.6%-7.6% of their total meal plan costs; they should be able to keep and spend their money for future years!