Video summary

Dining and TCAS Webinar 2025

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas & lessons

1) Webinar purpose and participation rules (housekeeping)

  • This is the first “Dining 101” webinar at UC San Diego.
  • The webinar is recorded.
  • Students are encouraged to submit questions via the Q&A function.
  • In Q&A, students should not share personal information (avoid personal situations/details).
  • A live Q&A may happen at the end if time allows.
  • A QR code is provided to:
    • Access the recording and slides (uploaded after a few days).
    • Enter a drawing for four enrolled students to win a $50 Triton cash bonus.
  • Contact information is provided on the final slide.

2) UCSD dining plan system: “debit card style” instead of swipe/meal-per-entry

Key concept: UC San Diego uses a debit-card model rather than a fixed-value swipe system.

  • Swipe systems (typical elsewhere):
    • Use a set number of swipes (often about “$16 per swipe” in value).
    • You generally can’t see the exact value of what each swipe buys.
  • UCSD’s system (how it works):
    • There are restaurants/locations across campus.
    • Each menu item has a real menu price.
    • You tap at the location or order, and the cost is deducted from your balance.

Benefits of the debit model

  • Fairness for lighter eaters: pay only for what you eat.
  • Longer expiration window:
    • Dining funds last through the full school year plus next fall quarter.
    • If you sign up for a dining plan in your second year while living with UCSD housing, remaining funds from year 1 can extend into year 2.
  • Dollar-for-dollar conversion: money you add/receive is what you can use (no built-in “loss” typically associated with swipe credits).
  • No mystery budgeting: the full balance is available at the start of the year.

3) How dining balances are billed and managed

  • Dining is bundled with housing:
    • Housing and dining appear on one bill.
  • The full dining balance is loaded at the start of the year, so students must budget.
  • Students can change dining plan level:
    • Deadline: October 1 to change up or down.
    • Changes are done through the undergraduate housing portal.

4) Dining plan tiers for incoming students (which plan to choose)

Plans mentioned:

  • Triton
  • Triton Blue
  • Triton Gold

General guidance:

  • Think of them as small / medium / large usage levels.
  • Smaller plans are recommended if you:
    • Are an “off-campus” eater often, or
    • Expect lower usage of on-campus dining (example: commuting home to eat).
  • Triton Blue is described as the “sweet spot.”
  • Triton Gold is recommended for students who eat more consistently (example: student athletes).

Residency requirement / opt-out

  • Students living in most UCSD on-campus housing are required to have a dining plan.
  • Some residences may opt out or choose a smaller commuter plan (explicitly listed):
    • Village of Pepper Canyon
    • Pepper Canyon West
    • Rita Atkinson
    • (“and all of them” is stated in the same category)
  • Other residences not listed are said to be required to have a dining plan.

5) Where dining dollars vs Triton cash can be spent

Two main funding types:

  • Dining Dollars
    • Usable at residential dining and market locations (most near dorms).
  • Triton cash
    • Usable at participating outside vendors for flexibility.

Vendor/location highlights:

  • The speaker notes 60+ locations on and off campus for Triton cash.
  • Examples of outside vendors that accept Triton cash:
    • Subway
    • Panda Express
  • Students are encouraged to explore locations, not just the nearest one, because schedules and where you spend time can change.

6) Food variety & accessibility (cuisines and accommodations)

The dining team emphasizes food variety beyond stereotypical “classic college food.”

Examples of cuisines/locations mentioned

  • Miramar Revel and Warren College
    • Umai: fresh sushi (nigiri and hand rolls; opened about a year prior)
    • 360: customizable noodle bowls (“360 grill”)
  • Marshall / Elanar / Roosevelt / Pepper Canyon
    • Spice at Marshall: described as a certified kosher kitchen
    • Roosevelt College: food from the African diaspora (example: Cuban sandwich in “Vibe”)
    • Food Works: personal pizzas (popular seller)
  • Club Med
    • Noted as less known; accepts dining dollars; “out of the way” but included as an option
  • Sixth College / Seventh College / University Centers
    • Sixth: Māi (popular items include pokeballs)
    • Seventh: North Side Deli
    • University Centers: Sunshine (opened about a year prior; accepts dining dollars)

Accessibility/meal programs and certifications

  • Allergy-friendly options
  • GLAT certified kosher restaurant (claims “one of the only” in San Diego)
  • Largest certified halal college-campus location in the U.S. (at Canyon Vista)
  • Vegetarian/vegan options:
    • Roots at MIR: a fully vegan restaurant (opened ~12 years ago)

7) Tips & tricks for using dining efficiently

Planning & shopping strategy

  • Plan ahead: markets and quick-grab groceries help when busy.
  • Use Triton on the Go for grab-and-go items (sandwiches, salads, sushi, bulk snacks).

Best ordering times (faster service)

  • Off-peak times:
    • 7–9 AM
    • 2–5 PM
  • Peak times (e.g., dinner rush) can take longer.

Locations with relatively faster service

  • Examples listed as typically faster/“go in and out”:
    • 64° happy at “ventanas” (as transcribed)
    • Crave
    • “toasted at pines” (as transcribed)
    • Spice at Ocean View
    • Goodies Marketplace
  • Rationale for slower places:
    • Some items are made to order (e.g., burger patties prepared after order).

8) Just Walk Out markets: detailed usage methodology

The speaker explains how automated “Just Walkout” technology works and provides operational rules.

Core method

  • Wait for the market gate to close at entry/after scanning.
  • Scanning and gate behavior affects which account is charged.

Step-by-step rules

  • Entering with your own shopping
    • Scan your QR code.
    • Wait until the gate closes before entering fully.
  • If you enter and someone follows you before the gate closes
    • Their purchase can be counted as part of your party/account, and their sales may get applied to you.
  • Shopping with friends (each person pays separately)
    • Each friend must:
      • Scan their own QR code
      • Enter after the gate closes
      • Gate behavior ensures each person’s account is billed correctly.

Managing items

  • Bring bags and bag while you shop (cameras reduce the need to go to a cashier to remove items from a bag).
  • If you put an item back on the shelf, it is not charged (virtual cart concept).
  • The system assigns taken items to your virtual cart.
  • Anything taken and moved through the Just Walk Out zone that leaves the area triggers charging.

Important “shared item” warning

  • If you pick up an item and hand it to a friend—even if they scanned their own QR code—it still counts in your virtual cart (you may be charged).

Handling breakage or unreachable items

  • If something drops/breaks:
    • Get a staff member to clean up and bring a replacement if needed.
    • If you grab a replacement yourself after replacement is needed, you may get charged again.
  • If you can’t reach an item:
    • Ask staff to retrieve it.
    • If another customer retrieves it for you, that customer may be charged.

Receipts and transaction support

  • Get receipts via Triton to Go app:
    • Inbox → Receipts tab
  • If mistakes occur:
    • Use the dining support form (requires signing in with UCSD credentials).
    • The team responds to submitted forms.

9) Triton to Go mobile ordering app: setup and use instructions

Download

  • Search and download “transact mobile ordering” from:
    • Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  • International students:
    • Must be on the US region for their app store or the download may fail.
    • Help can be provided by emailing dining engagement (contact listed at the end).

Account setup

  • Select UC San Diego “Triton to go” from the university list.
  • Sign in using student single sign-on (SSO).
    • Using a personal email will not connect you to dining funds.

Recommended permissions/settings

  • Allow notifications (order ready alerts)
  • Allow location services (shows nearby open locations)

Rewards and reusable containers

  • Rewards program:
    • Look for a Rewards tab.
    • Points earned by spending dining funds (“enter COD test” appears as transcribed).
  • Reusable container program:
    • Select a Triton to Go refundable option to use a reusable container.
    • A $5 deposit is charged.
    • Return process credits $5 back.
    • “Add to other Triton to go box” allows combining items into fewer boxes.

Reusable container kiosk credit mechanics

  • Containers can be credited via kiosks found in dining halls/markets.
  • Scan the container barcode and swipe student ID to receive a $5 credit.
  • Credit does not go into regular dining dollars directly:
    • It goes into a separate account (Triton to Go dining dollars / Triton cash depending on payment method).
    • It is used first next time you order.
  • If purchased with a credit card:
    • Refund/credit returns in Triton cash, not back to the credit card.

10) Reduced allergen dining (RAD) program

Program for students with severe allergies to top FDA-listed allergies (“top nine”).

Process

  • Step 1: Register/consult with Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).
  • Step 2: After clearance, meet with a registered dietitian (two dietitians on staff).
  • Meal workflow:
    • Call in orders to a nearby restaurant.
    • Food is prepared in an allergen-free zone (separate ingredients/storage).
    • Staff are trained and certified (described as Allergrin certification).
    • You can pay with dining funds.

Self-regulation guidance

  • For minor/non-severe allergies:
    • Use allergen icons in menus/app/website.
  • For self-regulating severe allergies:
    • Cross-contamination cannot be guaranteed.
    • RAD is recommended for severe allergies.

11) Dining employment opportunities (student jobs)

  • UCSD Dining is described as the largest employer on campus:
    • about 800 student employees (aiming for ~1000).
  • Students can apply via a QR code to the dining hiring website.
  • Scheduling promise:
    • Managers schedule around classes and exams (no shifts during classes/midterms/finals).
  • Benefits mentioned:
    • Convenient locations
    • Competitive wages and advancement
    • Social/community benefits and skill-building
  • Work-study:
    • Accepted but not required.

Additional important updates from Ernesto (Triton Card / account services)

12) Track balances regularly and use the Transact portal

  • Check dining balances at least monthly, possibly twice monthly.
  • Use the Transact portal to:
    • View balances
    • View transaction history
  • If email doesn’t sync with the Transact account, contact the office for help.
  • What students should be able to see:
    • Dining dollars / meal plan balance
    • Triton and cash balance
    • Triton to Go credits returned
  • Team plans to send monthly balance reminder emails to UCSD email.

13) Deposits and stored value accounts

Operational rules:

  • Transact web/mobile are available 24/7.
  • Deposits require a minimum of $5.
  • Deposits are split into stored value accounts (like separate checking/savings).
  • Online deposit flow:
    • Deposit goes into Triton cash account immediately.
  • Dining Dollars account activation:
    • At end of fall quarter (late December/early January in the speaker’s reference).
    • Students then add dining dollars after activation.
  • Browser recommendation:
    • Use Google Chrome for online deposits.
    • Other browsers can fail (Safari may be less successful).
  • If a card is charged but deposit isn’t visible immediately:
    • Bank credit may take 1–2 business days (transaction may appear “in limbo”).

14) Off-campus partnerships and Grubhub

  • Triton Card service is expanding partnerships with off-campus vendors.
  • Grubhub usage:
    • Use UCSD email on the Grubhub app.
    • Purchases are available through many vendors.

15) Taco Bell construction update

  • A Taco Bell location is delayed.
  • Updated opening timeline: late October.

16) Using Triton cash meal plan and personal Triton cash

  • The Triton cash meal plan (part of the dining plan) is accepted:
    • on campus and off campus.
  • Personal Triton cash deposited via debit/credit card is also accepted.
  • Commuter plan mention:
    • A “1500 plan” lives in Trident Cash Community Plan Store Value and can be used on/off campus where Triton cash is accepted.

17) Academic breaks / limited hours

  • During December campus closure, plus spring break and summer sessions:
    • Dining locations have limited availability.
  • Save some Triton funds for those periods.

18) Early termination / graduation implications

  • Dining plans are deposited in full when moving in.
  • Housing/dining bill may be monthly/quarterly/lump sum.
  • Risk scenario:
    • If you terminate your housing contract early (before end date, stated as June 13 for that academic year),
    • you may have spent funds that are no longer covered under your contract term.

19) Laundry and summer dining Q&A highlights

Laundry

  • Triton cash funds are accepted at laundry facilities:
    • Triton cash meal plan funds
    • Triton cash community funds
    • personal Triton cash

Summer dining

  • Many locations close, but:
    • At least one dining facility and one market remain open
    • Club Med stays open
  • Example summer capacity:
    • 2 markets + 1 dining location + Club Med (total 4 locations)
  • Summer funds:
    • Spend standard school-year dining dollars and/or summer session dining dollars if living on campus during the summer session.
  • If you run out of dining dollars:
    • You can deposit more via Transact.
    • No maximum deposit amount was stated.

Contact, feedback, and closing messages

  • The final “contact us” slide directs students to:
    • Dining engagement team (Aaron and team)
    • Triton Card Account Services (Ernesto’s team)
    • Housing administrative services (Malia Mahi)
  • A feedback QR code is provided; completing the survey makes students eligible for the $50 Triton cash bonus drawing.
  • The webinar ends with thanks and best wishes.

Speakers / sources featured

  • Malia Mahi (Associate Director for Housing Administrative Services; webinar host/introducer; contact listed)
  • Aaron Contreas / Aaron Contes (Contreas) (Dining Services team; dining plan and dining program information)
  • Ernesto (Triton Card Account Services; balance tracking, deposits, vendor partnerships, account details)
  • UC San Diego Dining Services (source for dining plan/system and dining employment info)
  • UC San Diego Triton Card Account Services (source for Transact portal, stored value accounts, deposits)
  • UC San Diego Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) (source partner for RAD program intake/clearance)
  • UC San Diego Registered Dietitians (RAD program support staff; mentioned as two full-time dietitians)

Original video