Take Your Professor to Lunch Program

1. To be eligible, you must be pursuing an undergraduate degree in the College of Arts and Sciences. If you are unsure, just check the eligibility guidelines below.
    
2. Because funding for this program is limited, and we wish to extend this opportunity to as many undergraduate arts and sciences majors as possible, you may request a set of meal cards once per semester (once autumn semester and once spring semester) whether you dine alone with a teacher or as part of a student group.
    
3. Invite a College of Arts and Sciences teacher to lunch and confirm a date and time that you will meet. To ensure we have enough time to process your request, please set the date at least one week in the future. This date must be finalized before completing the application. For spring semester requests, the date for your lunch must occur before the last day of spring semester final exams. If you are unsure whether your teacher is eligible, just check the eligibility guidelines below.
    
4. These cards allow you entry into one of the three all-you-care-to-eat Traditions Dining Services locations located at Kennedy, Scott, and Morrill. The cards may only be used at one of these three locations. Please see the University Dining Services website for information on these three on-campus locations.
    
5. Registration is open during the academic year, autumn and spring terms.
    
6. You and your teacher will be notified via email within one week. We will let you know whether the lunch has been approved and, if approved, where to pick up your meal cards – one for your meal and one for the teacher’s meal.
    
7. Apply online at least one week before your scheduled lunch. Meal cards are limited and distributed first-come, first-served during autumn and spring semesters.

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Student Eligibility: 
The program is open to undergraduate students who are enrolled on the Columbus campus and who have declared a major in the College of Arts and Sciences. You may request a set of meal cards once per semester (once autumn semester and once spring semester) whether dining alone with a teacher or as part of a student group. 

Faculty Eligibility: 
The teacher must be a member of the College of Arts and Sciences and teach on the Columbus campus. They must hold a position as a faculty member (professor, associate professor or assistant professor), an instructor, a lecturer or a graduate teaching associate (GTA) in the College of Arts and Sciences.

To ensure your teacher is: 1) in the College of Arts and Sciences; and, 2) holds an appointment as a faculty member (professor, associate professor or assistant professor), an instructor, a lecturer, or a graduate teaching associate (GTA) in the College of Arts and Sciences, enter your teacher’s name in the Ohio State web page search box to view information about their position.

• These cards allow you entry into one of the three all-you-care-to-eat Traditions Dining Services locations located at Kennedy, Scott, and Morrill.
• They may only be used at one of these three locations. Please see the University Dining Services website for information on these three on-campus locations. 
• Be certain to let the cashier know you are using visits on your card to gain entry.
• You may use these cards to meet with your faculty guest for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

Yes, a student group of no more than three undergraduate arts and sciences majors including yourself may invite a teacher to lunch. Students may participate in this program once per semester (once autumn semester and once spring semester) whether dining alone with a teacher or as part of a group. All students in the group must be eligible (see eligibility above) in order to be included. Information for all students will be required on the request form. This includes:

• Full name
• Arts and Sciences major(s)
• Ohio State email address (name.#@osu.edu or name.#@buckeyemail.osu.edu)

The student who completes the online application will be responsible for picking up the meal cards for all approved members of the group.

• Always start your email with a respectful request, such as “Dear Professor X.” 
• Provide options for when you can meet. Remember, they are also very busy. The more flexible you can be with your time options, the more likely you will be to find a common meeting time.
• Respect standard working hours. Only request a meeting that occurs Monday - Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Be certain to thank them and sign your name. If you have enrolled in one of their classes, let them know which class.

• Share information about yourself that you are comfortable talking about. This helps them to get to know you. Where are you from? What brought you to Ohio State? Why did you select your major? What do you like to do outside of class? If they are writing a recommendation for you, it’s helpful for them to know about your other activities such as your on- and off- campus involvement, leadership, community service, employment, etc.
• Share what you enjoyed about the class, what may have been challenging for you, or what surprised you.
• Ask what other courses they or others in their department teach that are related to your interests.
• Your conversation doesn’t have to be only about their class. You may wish to ask about research opportunities, advice on your career direction, or recommended graduate programs. 
• Be certain to be respectful of their time and to thank them for making time to meet with you.

If you have questions, please contact Ann Rottersman, Director of Student Programs, at rottersman.1@osu.edu.