On Aug. 23, NYU Abu Dhabi announced a change in the distribution of meal swipes by introducing Flex Dining Dirhams. Students will now receive 12 meal swipes along with 63 Flex Dining Dirhams every week instead of 14 meal swipes, as was previously the case. These dirhams can be used in the dining halls and Marketplace (excluding Escape From New York Pizzeria) and will expire on Saturdays at 11:59 p.m. This change will take effect from Aug. 29.

According to Hayoung Song, Class of 2023 and the Student Government Dining Chair, Flex Dining Dirhams were mainly introduced in light of the recent changes in dining options. With the Marketplace opening two new restaurants — Burro Blanco and Indian by Nature — and East Dining Hall, also known as D2, introducing exciting new menu offerings, students will now have the opportunity to spend their Flex Dirhams in those places.

“We wanted students to be able to try out these vendors without having to use Campus Dirhams,” shared Song.

As a result of this change, there might also be changes in the way students use their meal swipes and Campus Dirhams. “If students use Flex Dining Dirhams to buy a meal combo in D1 or D2, refills will be allowed, thus food intake should not be affected,” Song explained. However, students would have more flexibility as they could use Flex Dirhams in places where they wouldn't be able to use meal swipes, adding to their purchasing power.

Ayham Adawi, Class of 2022 and Student Government President also addressed the purpose behind this change: “The change was made for a lot of requests because students were requesting for more flexibility like meal swipes being used in the Marketplace [as well]. Now you don’t have to go to D2 all the time ... and I feel like that is such a nice addition.”

Song highlighted that this change would also help minimize food waste. “The benefit of Flex Dining Dirhams is that there is no pressure to ‘fill a meal swipe’ with unwanted items.”

The Gazelle reached out to some students to gain some insight on how they feel about this change. Sanjaya Bhatta, Class of 2024, is pleased with this change: “It is a really good change. With the opening of an Indian restaurant, we can experience authentic Indian food without worrying about Campus Dirhams.”

Antonio Azevedo, Class of 2024, feels that Flex Dirhams act as an equalizer for students who cannot or would not dine at restaurants off campus. “I think that the measure is particularly helpful for low income students as having meals in places different from D1 or D2 is an important aspect of the social scene and this acts as an equalizer so that these students don't feel peer pressured to spend resources off campus as much,” shared Azevedo.

Overall, with the introduction of the Flex Dining Dirhams, students will have more flexibility and purchasing power, allowing them to derive more value from their dining experience.