Meal Plan Reductions For Religious Or Medical Purposes

Policy Statement

Occasionally, a student may have a medical disability which restricts their diet to certain meals that can not be supplied by Adelphi Dining Services.  In addition, there may be students who observe a religious practice that impacts their diet which may not be accommodated by Adelphi Dining Services.  Those students would apply for consideration to have a meal plan reduction from the meal plans or part of their meal plan.  Those with Vegan and Vegetarian diets are accommodated by Adelphi Dining Services and would not need the meal plan reductions.  

Who is Governed by This Policy

All on-campus resident students are governed by this policy.  

Reason for Policy

This policy will assist the on-campus resident students who have a medical need or accomodation that requires a special diet or students whose religious practices require them to follow certain dietary requirements that can not be fully met by Adelphi Dining Services.  Those students may request a reduction from the requirement to purchase a meal plan.   To determine what those needs of the student are and to know what needs can be met through Adelphi Dining Services, it will be necessary that the student speak with the individuals who can best assist with this and the procedures in this policy will  guide the student through the process.    

Students who would like information about meals that address special dietary needs or who require such services may contact Adelphi Dining Services at:

adelphidining@adelphi.edu or (516) 877-3950. 

For additional information about meal plans, menus, and other information about Adelphi University Dining Services you may visit: 

https://dineoncampus.com/adelphi 

Policy

Adelphi Dining Services strives to provide the community with its dietary needs.  There may be certain instances that would require a reduction to the meal plan policies due to a medical condition or a student or religious observance which Adelphi Dining Services can not fully accommodate.  It should be known that Adelphi Dining Services can accommodate many religious based meal observances.  Therefore, students who require special meals for their religious observance should contact the Adelphi Dining Services Team for assistance.

Definitions

This policy does not have definitions at this time.  

Procedures

Requests for Meal Plan Reductions

Resident students with medical accommodations which require a special diet or whose religion requires them to follow certain dietary restrictions that cannot be met by Adelphi University Dining Services may request a meal plan reduction. 

A student seeking a meal plan reduction due to a medical accommodation  should contact the Student Access Office to discuss their accommodation request:

Student Access Office
Post Hall
One South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
e – sao@adelphi.edu
p – 516.877.3806 

A student seeking a meal plan reduction based on the dietary requirements of the student’s religion should submit a Meal Plan Reduction Request Form to: 

Adelphi University Auxiliary and Event Services
University Center Room 106 
One South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
e – auxiliaryservices@adelphi.edu

Please note the following when requesting meal plan reductions: 

• Students must submit requests for meal plan reductions within the first two weeks of each semester (except in cases where a student has received a documented medical disability that may require a dietary modification accommodation).
• Vegetarianism or veganism is not considered a reason for a meal plan reduction. Vegetarian and vegan dietary requirements are carefully considered by our chefs in menu and recipe planning, and healthy vegetarian and vegan items are offered each meal period. 
• Financial need is not an allowable reason for a meal plan reduction. Adelphi University Dining Services cannot make decisions about financial need. All financial inquiries should be made to the Office of Student Financial Services.

Meal plan reductions cannot be guaranteed. During the request process for a meal plan reduction, the student’s meal plan is still considered active and may be used by the student. The student will be charged the weekly rate whether used or not. 

It is recommended that if a student submits the reduction request after bills are due, the student will pay for their meal plan and, if the student’s request for a reduction is granted, the Office of Auxiliary Services will process a credit to the student’s account. The exact amount of the credit will be a portion of the student’s pro-rated meal plan balance. 

Please note that automatic renewal of meal plan reductions will be based on the reason for the granting of the reduction. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Appeals

A student whose request for a meal plan reduction based on a medical disability is denied may appeal the decision in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures of the Student Access Office.  

A student whose request for a meal plan reduction on the basis of the student’s religion is denied may appeal the decision based on one or more of the following grounds:

1. A procedural error has occurred that significantly impacted the outcome (e.g., material deviation from established procedures, etc.). This error must be described in the letter requesting an appeal. Minor or harmless deviations from the process will not invalidate the decision; or
2. There is new information that was unavailable at the time of the original request that could impact the outcome. A summary of this new information, why it was previously unavailable, and its potential impact on the decision must be included in the request for appeal.

A request for an appeal must be submitted in writing to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students within five (5) business days of notification of denial of the request for a meal plan reduction. Failure to request an appeal within the allotted time will render the original decision final.

The Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, or another designated administrator, will consider the appeal. If the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students (or designee) determines that the appeal has established allowable grounds for a review of the request for meal plan exemption, as set forth above, the appeal will proceed. The Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students (or designee) may request clarification or additional information in connection with the appeal as necessary to reach a decision. 

The outcome of the appeal will be communicated in writing to the student, usually within five (5) business days from the receipt of the request for an appeal. The decision of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students is final.

Form

See the final page of this document for the Meal Plan Reduction Request Form used when a student is requesting a reduction because of a religious observance. 

Related Information

Students who would like information about meals that address special dietary needs or who require such services may contact Adelphi Dining Services at:

adelphidining@adelphi.edu or (516) 877-3950. 

For additional information about meal plans, menus, and other information about Adelphi University Dining Services you may visit: 

https://dineoncampus.com/adelphi 

https://dineoncampus.com/adelphi/our-wellness-philosophy

Document History

• Last Reviewed Date: March 28, 2023
• Last Revised Date: March 28, 2023
• Policy Origination Date: January 01, 2021

Who Approved This Policy

Sentwali Bakari, Vice President for Student Affairs and Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging