The following message was sent to the campus community on August 3, 2026. – Ed.
Dear W&M Community,
I write on behalf of the university to share some additional details about the dining program this fall.
The new dining facility planned as part of the West Woods project will not be opening in time for the start of the fall semester. The parties involved in the public-private partnership constructing the facility have recently notified us of ongoing work. We will not attempt to operate a building that is not fully ready to serve you. We’ll share an opening date as soon as the remaining work supports one.
Our campus community will have a full all-you-care-to-eat program every day, added capacity at the busiest meal period and more flexible Dining Dollars to provide additional choice. The fall 2026 semester will work as follows:
- Commons Dining Hall remains open. Commons will continue serving all-you-care-to-eat meals until the West Woods Culinary Center opens. All Access plans will include unlimited swipes there, same as in prior years. The award-winning True Balance allergen-free station remains in place for the fall to serve students affected by the top nine allergens. We are expanding seating capacity and adding additional food equipment for the upcoming semester.
- Marketplace at Campus Center opens for weekday lunch. Marketplace, located on campus in Campus Center along Jamestown Road, will serve lunch Monday through Friday. This will be included in your existing plan and functions like Commons, adding an additional option adjacent to academic buildings and east campus residences at the busiest meal period of the day.
- One-time Dining Dollars Supplement. Each meal plan holder will receive $100 additional Dining Dollars automatically. These additional Dining Dollars will be on students’ accounts at the start of the semester – no action needed on your part.
- New this year, the Food Hall @ Sadler will operate as a retail hub. For more information on retail partners, Gold Pass swipe exchange and special diet and mobility meal options, visit our website.
- All other W&M Dining locations will continue to provide everything from grab-and-go items to full meals at locations across campus to best fit students’ schedules. Visit dining.wm.edu for a full list of locations and hours.
Commons Dining Hall and Marketplace will feature a number of options for students with special dietary needs. Registered dietitian Grace Barbaro, MS, RDN, is available for assistance with any dietary needs in any W&M Dining location on campus, including:
- Personalized one-on-one student consultations.
- Walkthroughs of these two locations to assist with menu planning.
- More information about special diet resources on campus, including Halal, Kosher, Vegan & Vegetarian, gluten-free and allergen-friendly options.
- Students should contact her at barbaro-grace@aramark.com to make an appointment.
When West Woods welcomes its first guests, it will become the all-you-care-to-eat home for campus. Operations at temporary locations in Commons and Marketplace will fully shift to West Woods Culinary Center at that time and your retail hub at the Food Hall @ Sadler will remain open. Until then, you continue to have a wide variety of locations and options to build a routine that fits your schedule.
We are confident about where W&M Dining is headed and we appreciate your patience during this transition period. Questions? Reach us anytime at [dining@wm.edu].
Mike Todd, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Sean Hughes, Chief Business Officer
Jackson Mathews, AVP for Auxiliary Services