Meal Plan Modifications

UNH requires that students who live within residence halls participate in a meal plan (please see UNH Housing & Residential Life for additional details related to meal plan policies). This is an important requirement for students as it ensures all students have consistent access to food while on campus. UNH Dining makes a concerted effort to meet all approved accommodations in addition to offering a wide variety of inclusive options available to all students. 

If a student would like to request a meal plan modification, they may contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to discuss accommodations. All requests are considered individually as part of the interactive accommodation process. 

Key Things to Know

  • Students requesting a meal plan modification must engage with SAS in the accommodations process. This includes registering with SAS, submitting documentation, and meeting with SAS.
  • Meal plan modifications must be approved yearly. Once initially approved, further approvals can proceed through an expedited process.
  • As with accommodations more generally, meal plan modifications cannot be granted retroactively. Even if approved, refunds cannot be granted for time elapsed.
  • If part of a previously agreed upon compensation package, meal plan modifications cannot be granted through SAS. Job related accommodations should be discussed with the Civil Rights and Equity Office (CREO).
  • Meal plan modifications are generally not approved for:
    • Top 9 food allergens – UNH provides a wide range of accommodations related to the top 9 food allergens; including a dedicated allergen-friendly station in all dining halls. Students can work with SAS and with the Hospitality Services Dietitian to explore these options. Students are encouraged to explore all standard options provided by Dining prior to requesting meal plan modifications as an accommodation.
    • Gluten-free diets – UNH also provides a wide range of inclusive options for students who require gluten-free diets, including access to dedicated allergen-friendly stations in all dining halls. As with the top 9 food allergens, students are encouraged to explore all options prior to requesting meal plan modifications as an accommodation.
    • Vegan or vegetarian diets – UNH provides both vegan and vegetarian options for students. Students may explore these options with the Hospitality Services dietitian.
  • Meal plan modifications are not granted for personal preferences. Personal preferences would not rise to the level of an accommodation as accommodations are granted based on documented disability related needs. 

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for…

  • Meeting all student accommodation responsibilities. 
  • Requesting the modification in a timely manner. Even if approved, refunds cannot be granted for time elapsed.
  • Providing documentation that details the specific dietary need.
  • As needed, exploring alternative accommodations with SAS and the UNH Hospitality Services Dietician.
  • If modifications are required across multiple semesters, meeting with SAS to discuss the need for modifications each semester (meal plans are purchased for each semester). If the student has already been approved and the need is unlikely to change, they can engage in an expedited process.

Meal Plan Modification Process

  1. Student engages in the interactive accommodations process with SAS – As with all accommodation requests, SAS will review documentation and meet with the student. During this process, SAS will confirm any previous work with the Hospitality Services Dietitian and Dining Services, discuss any previous accommodations, discuss student concerns, and review any documentation. Please note, if there is not a documented need for accommodations, or if there are alternative reasonable accommodations that can be provided, SAS will not consult with Dining (see next step).
  2. SAS consults with Dining and the UNH Hospitality Services Dietician – To help determine what may be reasonable, SAS will discuss the request with Dining and the UNH Hospitality Services Dietician.
  3. SAS reviews the request – After consulting with Dining, SAS reviews the request to determine if an exemption is reasonable. This decision will include:
    1. Approval status
    2. Reasons for the approval or denial (Note: SAS will not discuss a student’s disability or diagnosis with anyone outside of the SAS team. SAS will discuss specific dietary needs of the student with Dining and the Hospitality Services dietician as needed to determine whether requested accommodations are reasonable).
    3. If denied, SAS will provide reasonable alternatives to a meal plan modification.
  4. SAS shares the decision with the student – SAS will share the committee’s decision, and related information, with the student.
    1. If not approved, the student discusses additional accommodation options with SAS and the Hospitality Services dietitian. Students may provide additional information to SAS at any time.
    2. If approved, student works directly with Dining to ensure appropriate modifications are implemented.