FAQ Canteens

Which groups of people can use the Studierendenwerk's canteens?

People without a university connection cannot use the canteens. The background to this is that the Studierendenwerke in Lower Saxony have a statutory, university-related service mandate.

Holders of the following cards can visit our canteens:

• CampusCard - for students
• CampusCard - service card
• CampusCard - for guest students
• CampusCard - access card (card cannot be used as a means of payment!)
• Students from other universities and colleges with the appropriate ID
• Pupils with pupil ID card
• MensaCard holders

Legitimisation at the canteen cash desks with the cards or IDs mentioned is required. Please have your card ready at the cash desk.

All information on the switch to RECUP cups at the Haarentor campus

From 8 March 2024, we will switch to the full use of RECUP cups at the Haarentor campus. At the Wechloy site, the current situation will be maintained for the time being.

Why are we doing this?
Every year, more than 5,000 canteen cups that were not returned by our guests had to be replaced. This means an enormous amount of cost and labour. Many Studierendenwerk employees were busy every day collecting the cups that were left all over campus.
We also want to work even more sustainably in future. Switching to RECUP cups will make this possible.

Where can I get or return the RECUP cups?
Here is a brief overview:

Uhlhornsweg location

RECUP return point - Café Freiraum and next to the cafeteria
RECUP dispenser - Café Freiraum and next to the cafeteria, as well as twice in the cafeteria sales room

Emden site

RECUP take-back - foyer in front of the café lounge, left-hand side
RECUP dispenser - foyer in front of the CaféLounge, right-hand side

Wilhelmshaven site, new cafeteria

RECUP reclaimers - foyer in front of the cafeteria
RECUP dispenser - foyer in front of the cafeteria, next to the coffee machine

Wilhelmshaven site, cafeteria

RECUP take-back - to the right of the coffee machines
RECUP dispenser - to the left of the coffee machines

The cups can also be handed in anywhere in Germany. You can view the drop-off points in the RECUP app. There are currently over 30 acceptance points in Oldenburg alone.

What are the benefits for students?
They are more independent in terms of time and location and can buy or return the cups when and where they want.

What happens to the Mensa cup?
In future, the cup can only be purchased. It costs 2 euros and is available in the Uhlhornsweg cafeteria.

Who can eat at the student price and what is cheaper?

Everyone who can show a student ID card can enjoy discounted main meals, side dishes and desserts in our canteens. Employees of the universities and the Studierendenwerk are also allowed to eat in the canteens, but pay slightly more than students.

Can my child eat in the canteen?

Of course - we even offer a special service for children of students and university staff: children can put together their own plate from the daily specials. Excluded are main components that cannot be portioned, such as schnitzel, sausages or fish fillets. The children's plate costs just 1 euro and is available up to a maximum age of 10 years. Please let us know at the counter that you would like a children's plate.

How is the price of the meal calculated?

The prices for our main meals are made up of the purchase price and a surcharge. In principle, the purchase and production costs still exceed the sales price. The canteens receive subsidies from the state of Lower Saxony in order to cover costs on the one hand and to be able to offer meals at student-friendly prices on the other. The prices for university staff and guests are therefore somewhat higher than for students.

Why is the vegetarian dish sometimes more expensive than the meat dish?

As already explained under "How is the price of the food determined?", the sales price depends on the current prices at which we have purchased our raw materials. Various factors are included in these raw material prices: regional origin, organically grown, species-appropriate husbandry, conventional origin, etc. In addition, our vegan/vegetarian dishes are usually complete menus, i.e. meals including side dishes. This is often not the case with meat or fish dishes. It can therefore be the case that a vegan dish made from high-quality organic ingredients is more expensive than a meat dish. In addition, all our main courses have the same price mark-up, i.e. we do not make meat dishes, for example, artificially more expensive.

Can I pay with cash in the canteens?

Payment with the CampusCard is particularly fast and therefore ensures shorter waiting times at our cash desks. However, it is also possible to pay with cash.

Can I withdraw the remaining amount from my CampusCard?

Yes, if you would like to withdraw the remaining amount from your card in cash, you can simply do so at a cash desk in our cafeterias and CaféBars.

More about the CampusCard

What about allergies & intolerances?

We have allergen and additive labelling in all catering establishments, which provides information about the ingredients that are mandatory. This can help you to find the right dish for you. You can filter out dishes with certain ingredients in the online menu on our website.

Due to the wide variety of foods in our kitchens and various cooking processes (e.g. deep-frying), contamination can unfortunately never be completely ruled out despite the utmost care.

 

Why are there sometimes deviations from the menu?

We always order our food as required and as fresh as possible in order to get the best possible quality. In rare cases, however, problems can occur even with professionals, e.g. delivery difficulties or technical problems in the kitchens. Deviations can also occur if a dish is sold out.

Why is there nothing left of the dish I want to eat just before the end?

Our canteen managers are very experienced and are therefore quite good at calculating the required portions of food. Nevertheless, it can happen from time to time that many more guests come to the canteens than expected. As a result, it can occasionally happen that a dish is sold out. In this case, however, we always have an adequate alternative on offer so that there is still enough choice for everyone shortly before the end.