Dining

Dining at Smith combines many unique traditions with a relaxed, accommodating atmosphere. Staff employed by the college prepare all meals on site. The department’s goal is to provide students with excellent food and great customer service. All residential students are on a full all you care to eat board plan, (5 meal swipes a day with your OneCard, plus $110 Dining Dollars) which entitles them to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Students can also swing by Grab and Go at Chapin House or Chase House during meal periods to grab a snack for late night studying. Friday afternoon tea served in each house is a popular way to end the week

Under Smith’s dining system, students have the flexibility to choose to eat any meal in any of the open dining locations. They may opt to eat at a location more convenient to their classes or with a menu more to their liking. Menus vary by location for lunch and dinner, offering students several options from which to choose and salad bars at most locations (91ciba.com/diningservices). Smith accommodates many diets including vegan, kosher, halal and allergen Free (please register with the Accessibility Resource Center). To access dining rooms, students must swipe their Smith OneCard at each meal, which allows us to better forecast demand, thereby reducing food waste. Students are expected to empty the food left on their plates at the end of each meal into the compost container. Food scraps and unusable leftovers are also collected in each kitchen for compost.

Meals are served in the dining rooms at different times depending on location. To maintain an adequate supply of dishes at mealtime, students may not remove dishes or silverware from the dining facilities, but can use our reusable “to go” Ozzi containers. Students must provide their own utensils for use in the residential kitchenettes. To support the college’s sustainable efforts, we encourage students not to waste paper products and recycle items whenever possible.

Meals are served buffet-style, pre-order or “grab and go” to accommodate busy student schedules. Students are allowed 8 guest meal swipes a year. To use a guest swipe, use your One Card to swipe twice within 5 seconds; the second swipe will be a guest swipe.

Due to limited seating, large meetings should not be scheduled in the dining rooms. Student groups may reserve space for the Duckett House special dining rooms by submitting an online request form. Dining services has many jobs in their dining operations, and students interested in work or dining careers should contact the Dining Service office, extension 2300 or check Workday.

If board paying students are attending classes or any activity at one of the Five College campuses, they may complete the Five College Meal Request Form to enable them to eat at that campus. More information is available on the Dining Service website: (lb2f.91ciba.com/diningservices).

Food Allergies/Dietary Sensitivities

Dining Services at Smith identifies the importance of supporting students with medical dietary needs, food allergies and/or food intolerances. We label the nine major food allergens on menus across campus and online. For more information on food allergy management on campus please read our action plan available on our website.

Lamont House offers food that is free of the 9 major food allergens (peanuts, tree nuts (coconuts labeled separately), wheat, milk, egg, soybean, fish, shellfish, and sesame). Dawes House is a gluten-free facility that requires access approval through the Accessibility Resource Center. Gillett House offers vegan and vegetarian options. If you have a food allergy or intolerance that can't be managed within our existing board plan dining menus, please contact the Dining Services Dietitian.

All foods are prepared following the highest standards to prevent cross-contact. Please note that manufacturers can change the content of foods without notifying Smith College, so students should always review their options and speak to a dining staff member.

Students with medical dietary restrictions such as Celiac disease, food allergies, etc., who are requesting accommodations or service will be directed to the Accessibility Resource Center. Students are required to follow College policy and provide appropriate documentation of their disability from a licensed professional. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain and supply the college with all necessary documentation (91ciba.com/ods). Once a person with a disability has registered, the documentation will be reviewed to determine the need for appropriate services and accommodations that are necessary and effective. Please note that an Accommodations and Service Request Form must be completed and submitted to the Accessibility Resource Center as needed.

Religious Accommodations

Kosher Co-op Kitchen

The kosher community kitchen (warmly referred to as the "K"), located at Jordan House, is a student-run space (under the direction of Dining Services and the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life) that serves as a cooking, eating and meeting facility for everyone interested in the Jewish tradition and community. The "K" model is a co-op and students who participate all play a role in the meal preparation, purchasing of food, cleanup and meal planning. Two students are appointed annually to be the coordinators of the kitchen; it is eclectic, vegetarian (with plenty of vegan options), healthy and, of course, kosher. It is not uncommon to find the space teeming with choppers, would-be chefs, dishwashers, and other helpers on any Friday morning or afternoon.

During the academic year, special holiday events and other occasional Jewish programming activities are held at the Kosher Co-op Kitchen and all students are welcome to attend.

Kosher food is also served at Cutter/Ziskind dining room.

Updated July 2023