Meal Plan Exemption

Students may request a Meal Plan Exemption (at your initial semester of enrollment of the academic year) by completing the process detailed below. Incomplete requests that do not have all of the required documentation and/or information will not be reviewed for consideration. All aspects of the process must be completed for full consideration.

Note: Students are not guaranteed exemption from the meal plan requirement.

For more information about dining plans and their costs, visit https://pvamu.sodexomyway.com.

Important

• Exemption requests for each academic year should be submitted no later than the 10th day of class. After this deadline, only exemptions related to newly acquired food related illnesses will be approved.
• Exemption approvals are only applicable for one (1) Academic Year (fall/spring). The student must re-apply by the deadline for each fall semester – if still under the meal plan requirement.
• All requests must include the student’s name, student ID number, PVAMU email address, and a selected exemption type.
• Response to requests will only be made to official PVAMU student email addresses.
• Please note that exemption processing takes a minimum of three (3) weeks, assuming adequate information is submitted.

Types of Meal Plan Exemption Requests

Students who practice a recognized religion that has limited food requirements, have a documented medical condition (either of which requires a specific diet that cannot be accommodated by PVAMU), or are experiencing significant financial hardship, may request to be exempted from the meal plan requirement.

Note: A meal plan exemption will not be granted solely on the basis of the student’s status as a vegetarian/vegan or that food service does not meet a student’s personal food preferences.

Note: Students are not guaranteed exemption from the meal plan requirement.

1. Medical Dietary Restrictions

This exemption type is considered for students with documented medical disability(ies) that drastically affect the student’s ability to eat from on-campus food locations and requires accommodations which the University cannot provide.

Please note: PVAMU/Sodexo Dining Services does provide meal options for students who are on special diets and have food allergies (including gluten and dairy). If it is found that your dietary restrictions CAN be met by PVAMU/Sodexo, you are required to meet with the Sodexo Head Chef to determine an appropriate menu and/or shopping list within 10 business days of receiving the final notice.

If the exemption request is for Medical Dietary Restriction, the following Disability Services Forms http://www.pvamu.edu/disabilityservices/forms/ must also be completed and submitted directly to the Office of Disability Services:

• Confidentiality Form
• Initial Conference Notes
• Intake Form
• Tape Recorder Agreement

2. Financial Hardship
   This exemption type is considered for students who are experiencing a significant change in financial resources AND exhausted all of their financial resources.

Please note: Loans offered through the FAFSA are a form of financial aid and will be considered when determining exemption eligibility. Financial savings is not a valid reason for this exemption type.

Students applying for financial hardship exemption must do the following:

2. 1. 1. Submit their FAFSA online at fafsa.gov
      2. Submit a letter outlining:
         1. the significant financial hardship/change
         2. exactly how the student will gain access to food on a daily basis
      3. Upload any documentation that supports this exemption request. Documents are
         uploaded when you complete the Meal Plan Exemption Request form via this portal.

3. Religious Dietary Observance
   This exemption type is considered for students who are committed to practicing a religion that requires a restricted diet.

Students applying for Religious Dietary Observance exemption must do the following:

1. 1. 1. Submit a letter outlining:
         1. the significance of the religious dietary observance
         2. what food/food items must be avoided
      2. Upload any documentation that supports this exemption request. Documents are
         uploaded when you complete the Meal Plan Exemption Request form via this portal.

General Process

Step 1
To begin the Meal Plan Exemption process, a student must submit the completed Meal Plan Exemption Request Form to the Meal Plan Exemption Committee.

A meal plan exemption will not be granted solely on the basis of the student’s status as a vegetarian/vegan or that food service does not meet a student’s personal food preferences.

You must select one of the following for exemption types and provide required documentation: Medical Dietary Restrictions, Financial Hardship, or Religious Dietary Observance.

Step 1A
If the exemption request is for Medical Dietary Restriction, the following Disability Services Forms http://www.pvamu.edu/disabilityservices/forms/ must also be completed and submitted directly to the Office of Disability Services:
• Confidentiality Form
• Initial Conference Notes
• Intake Form
• Tape Recorder Agreement

Step 2
Upload the required letter explaining the rationale for the meal plan exemption request and any documentation that supports this exemption request. Letter must include a full explanation of the rationale for the request.

Step 3
PVAMU/Sodexo Dining Services does provide meal options for students who are on special diets and have food allergies (including, but not limited to, gluten and dairy). If it is found that your dietary restrictions CAN be met by PVAMU/Sodexo, you are required to meet with the Sodexo Head Chef to determine an appropriate menu and/or shopping list within 10 business days of receiving the final notice.

Appeal Process

1. Students wishing to appeal the decision by the Meal Plan Exemption Committee must submit a written appeal to the Director of Auxiliary Services within five (5) business days after the original decision notification via email at aux_services@pvamu.edu with “Meal Plan Exemption Appeal” in the subject line.
2. The Director of Auxiliary Services will review the appeal with the Meal Plan Exemption Committee and respond in writing. The decision will be final.