New Employee Welcome Meal Program
Connect over a shared meal
IU Bloomington is a big place, and becoming part of the community happens one connection at a time. Your welcome meals are an opportunity to step beyond your immediate role or team, get to know the people and places around you, and learn more about what it means to be part of IUB.
Invite a supervisor, mentor, or colleague to join you. Share a meal, ask questions, exchange stories, and start building connections across the Bloomington campus.
| Who | What | Where | When | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Eligible full-time IU Bloomington faculty and staff hired July 1, 2026–May 31, 2027 |
Two complimentary meals on your CrimsonCard |
Participating IU Dining & Hospitality locations |
Meals become available September 1, 2026, and remain available through April 30 following your hire date |
Connect with a supervisor, mentor, or colleague as part of your onboarding and experience on-campus dining options. |
Eligibility and availability
The pilot program is available to full-time IU Bloomington faculty and staff hired between July 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027. Meals become available September 1, 2026, and remain on your CrimsonCard for one year from the time it was received.
Make the most of your welcome meals
Your welcome meals are a chance to learn more about IU Bloomington through the people who know it. Use the time to:
- Build relationships with your supervisor, mentor, or colleagues.
- Ask questions and hear perspectives from someone who knows IU.
- Discover campus resources, places, and traditions.
- Explore IU Dining locations while getting to know campus.
- Make connections beyond your immediate role or department.
How the program works
- You receive an email notifying you that your two meals are loaded onto your CrimsonCard.
- Invite a supervisor, mentor, or colleague to join you.
- Choose a participating IU Dining & Hospitality location.
- Scan your CrimsonCard, share a meal, and enjoy the conversation.
For supervisors and mentors
A welcome meal is an opportunity to help a new employee see more of IU Bloomington and begin finding their place within the Hoosier community.
Use the time to:
- Introduce people, places, resources, and traditions that are helpful to know.
- Share what you wish you had known when you were new.
- Offer ways to get involved and build relationships across campus.
- Connect their role to IU Bloomington’s mission and the work happening across the university.
Where can I use my Welcome Meals
Welcome Meals may be used at the following participating IU Dining & Hospitality locations.
| Location | Eligible |
|---|---|
| All You Care to Eat dining halls | Yes |
| Campus Cafes | Yes |
| Campus Restaurants | Yes |
| The Globe | Yes |
| Tudor Room weekday lunch | Yes |
| Tudor Room Sunday brunch | No |
| The Vault Pub | No |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use one meal at a time?
Yes. You may use one meal at a time, although the program is intended to encourage you to share meals with a supervisor, mentor, or colleague during onboarding.
Can IU dining locations accommodate allergies?
Yes. IU Bloomington is an AllerTrain university with more than 130 AllerTrain-certified staff and more than 300 additional staff trained in allergen-safe food preparation. Daily menus, ingredients, and allergen filters are available through Nutrislice and NetNutrition.
Do I need to activate my meals?
No. Your two meals will be automatically loaded to your CrimsonCard beginning September 1, 2026, or within 60 days of your start date if you’re hired later in the year. You’ll receive an email once your meals are available to use.
Is the time spent eating considered paid work time?
Usually not. If you use your Welcome Meal during your scheduled meal break and are relieved of work duties, the time is generally unpaid. Follow your department's meal-break practices and current IU timekeeping guidance. Contact your supervisor if you have questions about recording work time.
Questions?
Questions about the Welcome Meal Program, participating dining locations, or your CrimsonCard meals? We're happy to help.