Dining Services

Meals are served in Raney Dining Room, located on the lower level of Robertson Hall. Twenty-one meals per week—Monday breakfast through Sunday dinner—are provided as part of the board contract for residential students. Commuter students may purchase meal tickets at a reduced rate through the Dining Services office or a full meal plan through the Business Office. A wide variety of food items are provided at each meal, including vegetarian and vegan entrees and gluten-free and dairy-free items. Please note the kitchen is not allergen-free, meaning the utmost care is taken to avoid cross-contamination, but is not guaranteed. Additional servings of the main entrees are available by simply returning to the service line. Quality food preparation and an attractively decorated dining area both contribute to a pleasant dining experience. Special dietary needs should be expressed within the first few days of the student’s first semester. The director of dining services is available for individual menu planning and nutrition information by appointment. Appointments may be made by contacting the director at extension 2150 or by email at amosher@cottey.edu. For general requests, an online suggestion box is available at Cottey Food. The weekly menu is posted on this webpage, as well. 

Comet Card

Students must scan their Comet Card or a temporary ID to enter the Dining Room. 

Conduct and Dress

Responsible behavior, reflecting respect for others and their property, is expected of everyone using Raney Dining Room. Any student engaging in disruptive or inappropriate conduct will be asked to leave and referred for disciplinary action. "Game-related" activities are not permitted in the Dining Room without prior approval from both the director of dining services and the vice president for student life and enrollment. 

Proper attire is required in the Dining Room at all times. Diners must wear shoes and clothing that covers the body, as guests may be present for any meal. Students wearing inappropriate attire, as determined by the dining and catering supervisor, assistant director, or director of dining, or the student checker at Sunday brunch, may be asked to change clothes before returning.

Dining Room Policies

Generally, no food or utensils (forks, spoons, or knives) are to be removed from the Dining Room, and personal containers are not permitted. Reusable takeout containers are available for a $5 fee; these containers can be used at any meal and must be returned in clean condition to be exchanged for another. Please see the Raney take-out policy posted outside the main entrance of Raney Dining Room for more information. Students are asked to leave backpacks in the cubicles on the wall-shelving units provided at the entrance to Raney Dining. Access for individuals living with disabilities is provided just south of the main entrance of Robertson Hall and by using the elevator located nearby. 

Get-Well Meals

Students who are too ill to go to the Dining Room or who are unable to walk due to injury may obtain meals for takeout until they can return to the Dining Room. Contact the dining services office assistant at 417-667-8181, ext. 2150 to make special dietary arrangements or contact the student wellness coordinator, a hall director, or an R.A. for a special meal ticket if you need this service. Students will be responsible for arranging for someone to deliver the meal to them. 

Meal Policies

Meals are provided for residential students. Commuter students and other members of the College community are welcome to eat in Raney Dining Room by paying the posted cash price at the door or by purchasing meal tickets available at a reduced rate. Members of the Cottey community are also welcome to bring escorted guests to meals. However, an advanced reservation should be made for groups of ten or more through the Event Manager system. Raney Dining Room is not open to the public at large. 

Promotion within Raney Dining Room 

In some circumstances, Raney Dining Room may be used by students, recognized student organizations, faculty, and administrative offices for the promotion of events and/or programs. To manage these requests, the following guidelines have been established. Violators of these guidelines will have the privilege revoked and may be subject to disciplinary action. 

Students and student organizations may not place table tents, signs, flyers, or other materials anywhere within Raney Dining Room without special authorization from the director of dining services. Items posted on prohibited surfaces will be removed, and a grievance may be filed against the violating party for failure to abide by these policies.

1. Limitations may be made on the number, size, and length of time materials may be posted by the director of dining services or the vice president for student life and enrollment. 
2. Event or activity advertisements should be removed by the person or group who posted them within 24 hours after the event. 
3. All signs, notices, and posters must include the identity of the sponsoring student, instructional or administrative office, student organization, or public business or organization. Items posted anonymously will be removed.
4. 4. Students and student organizations are expected to show common courtesy regarding their promotional materials. Students and student organizations preparing items should use good taste and judgment and abide by all Student Handbook policies in relation to their materials.
5. . Any signs, notices, and posters that are judged to be offensive by the director of dining services in consultation with the vice president for student life and enrollment, or appear to be in violation of College regulations, will not be approved and will be removed if posted.
6. Commercial advertising or solicitation, except for the personal and occasional sale of small items by members of the College community, will not be approved for this space. Materials of a commercial nature that have not been marked as approved will be removed. 
7. Except for events related to alcohol and/or drug awareness programs, any materials involving alcohol or drug use are specifically prohibited.

Sack Meals for Off-Campus Events

Dining Services staff can provide sack meals when a recognized Cottey College organization is taking an out-of-town trip, or a class or department is taking a field trip. A small additional, interdepartmental charge will be assessed to cover the extra cost. To request this service, please utilize the Sack Lunch Request form on the MyCottey portal. 

Special Functions

Dining Services staff can provide a wide variety of beverages, food, and snacks for receptions and meetings anywhere on campus. To request this service, please utilize the Special Functions Request form on the MyCottey portal. Catering requests are to be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the event. Students should work with the organization’s sponsor to help ensure the necessary forms are submitted in a timely manner. The director of dining services plans the Centennial Room suite dinners with students. Reservations for a foyer table, Centennial Room, etc., may be made by utilizing Event Manager. 

Sunday Brunch Dress

Sunday brunches at Cottey are traditionally more formal than those served during the rest of the week. The semiformal brunch buffet is served from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features a wide variety of hot breakfast and lunch items. This meal exemplifies the sense of community at Cottey, offering an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely time together while savoring well-prepared and nicely served foods. Dressier attire is expected, including dresses, skirts, and blouses, button-up or polo shirts, and/or slacks. Unacceptable attire includes sweats, athletic wear, T-shirts, pajamas, torn, faded, or ripped jeans, and casual shorts. However, fashionable, dressy, knee-length shorts are acceptable. Caps or hats are not allowed in the Dining Room. 

Chellie Club

The Chellie Club is managed and staffed as a student-run business. Students participate in the management of the Chellie Club through internships (with approval) and student worker positions. It is a great place for alone time, social gatherings, or joining classmates for a group study session. While the menu changes occasionally, common features include sandwiches, Chellie Shakes, specialty coffees, and other snacks at reasonable prices. The Chellie Club is open from 7-9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 7-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday during the academic year, with possible hours changed due to student worker availability. Summer hours for the Chellie Club are 7-9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Monday-Friday except for holidays and campus closures. Chellie Club is open to the public year-round during any open daytime hours; open evening hours are for campus only. The Chellie Club is in the Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Campus Life on the lower level. A grab-and-go breakfast option as part of the meal plan is available to students during the open morning hours at Chellie Club. 

Student-athletes may receive an “equivalency meal” from the Chellie Club when they miss a meal in Raney due to athletic practices or games only. These meals require students to scan their Comet Cards for approval. Students found abusing this option by requesting equivalency meals without an appropriate need may have their access to equivalency meals removed. An athlete's meal in Chellie Club consists of one sandwich, a side of either fries or tots, and a medium-sized basic refresher or tea beverage. Students may choose to upgrade to another side or beverage and will be asked to pay the difference in price on their upcharges.