Procedures for Meal Plan Support

    Title: Procedures for Meal Plan Support
    Effective Date: 7/6/23
    Issuing Authority: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    Contact: Angie Mathews at mathews@stolaf.edu or 507-786-3018
    Last Updated: 7/6/2023

    Purpose

    Dining with other students is an important part of the residential experience. With this in mind, St. Olaf College collaborates with Bon Appetit, who serves as the college’s dining service vendor, to provide high quality, nourishing, and plentiful dining options to meet student dietary needs. These procedures will assist students who have a medical need or request that requires a special diet or students whose religious practices require them to follow certain dietary requirements.

    If Bon Appetit cannot accommodate the student for medical reasons or assist with the religious dietary requests, those students may request a reduction from the requirement to purchase a meal plan.

    Procedure for Meal Plan Support

    Most students’ dietary needs can be supported by Bon Appetit within the dining facilities offered by the college. Current resources in place to service common dietary needs include:

    • Vegan/Vegetarian
    • Gluten
    • Food Allergies
    • Religious – Bon Appetit can assist with many religious based meal observances, including providing to go meals to eat outside of fasting hours.
    • See Bon Appetit’s website for additional information about menus, wellness, nutrition, and dietary information.

    The Bon Appetit Representative is available to meet with current and prospective students for additional meal plan support. Specifically, support can be provided in the following areas: 

    • Medical, i.e. Celiac Disease, Allergies
    • Religious
    • Other Dietary Needs

    Bon Appetit Representative Contact Information

    Lionel Franks
    General Manager
    Lionel.Franks@cafebonappetit.com
    (507) 786-3251

    Process to Request Meal Plan Reduction/Cancellation

    Students who have worked with Bon Appetit and still believe they are unable to eat in the dining hall due to extenuating circumstances, may request a partial or an exemption to the meal plan by using the Meal Plan Appeal Form. The meal plan appeal form will become available for Fall semester in August.

    Please note that the following circumstances will not be approved:

    • Food Preferences: Food preferences or dislike of food will not qualify for a meal plan reduction.
    • Financial Support/Need: Financial need is not an allowable reason for a meal plan reduction. Bon Appetit cannot make decisions about financial need. All financial inquiries should be made to the Student Financial Aid Office.
    • Vegan/Vegetarian Diets: Vegetarian and vegan dietary requirements are carefully considered by chefs in menu and recipe planning, and healthy vegetarian and vegan items are offered each meal period. Those with Vegan and Vegetarian diets are already supported by Bon Appetit and would not qualify for a reduction in their meal plan.

    Please note the following when submitting a Meal Plan Appeal Form:

    • Meal plan appeals will be accepted from August 1 until the first day of class for Fall Semester. Meal plan appeals will be accepted from January 2 until the first day of classes for Spring Semester.
    • Requests are accepted after the 1st day of class only when a student has received a newly documented disability diagnosis that may require dietary modification accommodation.
    • Submission must include the final communication with Bon Appetit.
    • Meal plan appeals cannot be guaranteed.

    During the request process for a meal plan appeal, the student’s meal plan is still considered active and may be used by the student. Once the meal plan appeal process is complete, students will be notified via their St. Olaf email address. All meal plan appeal decisions are final. The student may submit a new request in the subsequent year if new grounds for an appeal exist. A new Meal Plan Appeal Form must be submitted for each academic school year.

    Meal Plan Appeal Committee

    The Meal Plan Appeal Committee will review all Meal Plan Appeal Requests. Additionally, the Bon Appetit General Manager or Dietitian will be consulted when the need arises. This Committee is comprised of the following:

    • Director of Residence Life
    • Assistant Vice President of Budget and Auxiliary Operations
    • Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator
    • Representative, Disability and Access
    • Staff member from the Campus Ministry team