Eating Associate Policy

Row self-ops and co-ops, the Stanford Eating Clubs at Toyon, EAST House, the Kennedy Kosher Co-op and the Governor's Corner Dining Societies have the option of having an eating associate program.

Eating associates are students who are not residents of the house or of the living group attached to a particular kitchen and reside in University housing which does not have a required board plan who wish to purchase a meal plan from a student-managed kitchen. The benefits of an eating associate plan include: expansion of the diversity of contacts within the residential group; financial advantage to the group; and a chance for individual students to join the residential community in certain kinds of activities.

The eating associate buys a meal plan--the details of which are set by the house or eating club--and may use common area facilities and participate in group activities, subject to the consent of the group. The extent and kind of participation by eating associates in group activities is defined by the group. Eating associates may not live in or spend nights at the house. Eating associates must be currently registered Stanford undergraduate or graduate students.

Members of the residence group are responsible for designing their eating associate program so that expectations--such as the number of eating associates to be accepted each quarter, how they are chosen, meal plan options and costs, and so forth--are outlined clearly. The price of the eating associate meal plan should include contribution to the overhead costs of running the kitchen, such as cook's salary, insurance, payroll taxes, county license fees, kitchen use fees, and supplies.

Exceptions to any of the stipulations outlined above may be made only with the prior written consent of the Assistant Director for Student Management. A description of each group's eating associate plan should be submitted each academic year and kept current at the the Row Office, 584 Mayfield Avenue, with a copy submitted to the appropriate local residence office.