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.

Goodbye RECUP - Hello MoinCup

Why are you switching from RECUP to another reusable cup?

Studierendenwerk Oldenburg has decided to work with reusable cups from Logi4Cup in future. We call these new cups "MoinCups".

The reason: In recent years, we have realised that the RECUP cups - contrary to expectations - are not "vending machine-compatible".

Some of you will have noticed this. Sometimes the deposit amount was debited at the dispensing machines and then no cup came out because it had become wedged.

The employees on site sometimes had to unlock the machines several times a day, remove the jammed cups and, if necessary, charge the customers' money back. In addition, the machines were sometimes unusable for several hours if the fault occurred in the late afternoon and there were no more staff on site.

Behind the scenes, the RECUPS also had to be sorted at great expense, as they are not all of the same design and this led to difficulties with the machines.

This susceptibility to faults and the high cost are annoying and unsatisfactory for all sides.

 

What are the advantages of the new MoinCups?

• The cups are more compatible with vending machine technology as they have been specially manufactured for this purpose.
• "Cup jamming" is very unlikely.
• Better material properties

 

How exactly does the changeover work? Which cups are being used where?

The new cup has been tested for some time now in the cafeteria on Ofener Straße (Jade University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg) and has now also been introduced on the campuses in Emden and Wilhelmshaven. The CaféBars and cafeterias at the University of Oldenburg will follow on 30 October 2025, and the campus in Elsfleth will also receive the new MoinCups in the winter semester 2025/26.

 

What will stay the same?

There will still be a reusable cup deposit of €1.00. You can also return the cups at the same university locations as you are used to with the RECUPS.

 

Will there be lids for the MoinCups?

Yes, but unfortunately it is currently not possible to issue deposit lids for the MoinCups. That's why you have the option of buying a lid from us for €1, which fits perfectly on the cups. You simply keep the lid.

 

Where are the cup machines located?

Location Uhlhornsweg

Return machine - Café Freiraum and next to the cafeteria
Dispensing machine - Café Freiraum and next to the cafeteria, as well as twice in the sales room of the cafeteria

Emden site

Return machine - foyer in front of the café lounge, left-hand side
Dispensing machine - foyer in front of the CaféLounge, right-hand side

Wilhelmshaven site

Reverse vending machine - foyer in front of the canteen
Vending machine - foyer in front of the cafeteria

Return machine - cafeteria to the right of the coffee machines
Dispensing machine - cafeteria to the left of the coffee machines

 

Are there alternatives to using the MoinCups?

• You bring your own coffee cup.
• You use paper cups, which we offer until the remaining stocks are used up.
• At the Uhlhornsweg location, you can purchase the Mensa cup for €2.

 

Are the REBOWLS also affected?

No, the REBOWLS will continue to be available.

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.