Dine & Coffee With a Professor

The Undergraduate Colleges understand the value of meeting with your professor and/or graduate teaching assistant (TA) during your tenure here at UC San Diego. The Dine/Coffee-with-a-Prof programs allow you, the student to meet, dine or have coffee, with an esteemed faculty member or graduate teaching assistant in order to gather insight concerning a course or career opportunities in your field of study. This is a complimentary program provided by the Undergraduate Colleges.

Guidelines and Participation

Undergraduate students may participate twice per quarter during the academic year. COVID Edition is not available through summer sessions.

Undergraduate students may participate in the Dine-with-a-Prof and Coffee-with-a-Prof programs once per quarter for each program during the academic year. Neither program is available through summer sessions.

1. Contact your professor or graduate teaching assistant and extend a meeting invitation. Work together to choose a date, time, and location to meet over coffee or a meal.

View the list of participating Dine & Coffee with a Professor Locations here.

Make sure to check your selected location's hours of operation.

Example Invitation:

Dear Professor or TA,

I am currently a student in your X course. Would you be interested in meeting me for coffee or a meal this quarter? I would like to learn more about your research and how you got started in your field. There are two great programs, Dine-with-a-Prof and Coffee-with-a-Prof, which allow us each a complimentary meal or coffee while we meet. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

Your name

2. After your professor or TA has confirmed the details, complete the application to sign-up for one of the programs below:

Application

3. Wait to Receive an Email from a Warren College Staff Member with Pick-up Details

This voucher will look like a gift card and is your “ticket” to complimentary coffee or meals for you and your professor/TA. Your professor or TA will need to be present to redeem your coffee or meals at a participating location.

After your application is submitted, a member of the Warren College Staff will contact you to arrange a pick-up date and time. Pick up will be at the Earl Warren College: Office of Student Affairs: EBU3B Room 1148/1150. Same day pick-up is not available. If you sign-up and do not pick-up your voucher after two business days, your voucher will be forfeited.

4. After you pick-up the voucher, confirm the meeting time with your professor/TA and then meet-up! Redeem your voucher at one of the authorized locations. Your professor or TA must be present. Turn in the voucher to the attendant to receive the funds for your coffee and/or meal.

FAQs

Who is eligible to participate?

Student eligibility: The program is open to all currently enrolled UC San Diego undergraduate students. If more than one student (up to 3 students) would like to join a meeting, that student must complete the application and pick up a separate voucher at their college.
Faculty eligibility: The professor or graduate teaching assistant must be currently employed by the University. They cannot be staff, administrative advisors, or counselors.

Can multiple students take the same professor out to lunch or coffee together?

Yes, students may coordinate up to 3 people per meeting. Each student must complete the application in order to obtain their own voucher from their respective college to participate.

Can I participate in the program more than once per academic year?

Undergraduate students may participate once in the Dine-with-a-Prof and once in the Coffee-with-a-Prof programs per quarter during the academic year. Neither program is available through summer sessions.

Is there a deadline to register or use the voucher?

What if I am not currently enrolled in a class with a professor or TA that I am interested in meeting — can I still invite them?

Yes, the professor or TA must be currently employed by the university.

Something came up and I need to reschedule. What should I do?

As long as you use the voucher before the end of the quarter, there is no issue. If you are not able to reschedule during the quarter, contact your College to make arrangements.

My voucher has been lost or stolen — can I get a replacement?

No, we cannot give out replacement vouchers, as they are limited.

How should I decide at which location to dine or get coffee?

Ask your professor or TA if they have a preference and also select a location based on your comfort level.

My professor/TA and I can't meet anymore. What should I do with the voucher?

If you're unable to use the voucher with your professor or TA, please return it to your College to allow another student the opportunity to use it.

Questions/ Concerns? Contact: warrendean@ucsd.edu

See what people are saying

"This was a great way to meet with my Professor outside of office hours! I'm grateful he was able to take time out of his busy schedule to meet with me. I definitely recommend Coffee-with-a-Prof to any student who wants to talk to his/her professor outside of the traditional, academic setting!" - Warren College Student

"The students see the 'coffee' as a way to ask for some face time with professors - otherwise, they may feel they're taking their time unfairly - I felt like I helped [the student I met with] quite a bit in the hour or so that we met."- UC San Diego Faculty