Dietary Restrictions Accommodations Policies and Procedures

Dining & Meal Plan Accommodations

Pomona College is committed to providing the opportunity for all students to fully participate in College life, including the dining experience. As a residential college, Pomona requires that all students living on campus participate in the Ultimate Meal Plan. Students living off campus may purchase either the Ultimate Meal Plan or the 10-meal plan.

Pomona Dining Services offers a wide variety of options accommodating many dietary needs, including food allergies and/or intolerances and chronic health conditions. Options include, but are not limited to, vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, Halal, and kosher. Most students’ dietary needs can be met through the different food options offered. Generally, students requesting an exemption for these dietary reasons alone are denied. Exemptions from the meal plan are rare and are made on a case-by-case basis for those students with documented health conditions whose needs cannot be met through the interactive process outlined below.

Students who have food allergies and/or dietary restrictions are encouraged to follow these steps below:

• Step 1: Review Food Allergies and Special Dietary Needs
• Step 2: Complete the Nutrition Information Questionnaire
  • Pomona College nutritionist will respond via email.
• Step 3: In the meeting, the campus nutritionist will work with the student to determine dietary options that are available and create a nutrition plan that will be appropriately communicated with dining managers and staff.

If Dining Services determines that your dietary needs cannot be met through them, the Accessibility Resources and Services office (ARS) will be notified that a formal accommodation may be needed. You may request a Meal Plan Accommodation through ARS by pursuing registration as a student with a disability.

Reduced meal plan accommodations/exemption requests will only be considered for those students who demonstrate an extraordinary and critical need to be accommodated/exempt from the meal plan. Meal plan accommodations/exemptions are are rare and not granted solely on the basis of food allergies, the student’s status as a vegetarian/vegan, or that food service does not meet a student’s personal food preferences. Accommodations/Exemptions to the meal plan requirements are granted only when Dining Services is unable to meet the prescribed needs of the student. No exemption request will be considered without a completed Dietary Restrictions Verification Form by the student’s treating physician. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain all required approvals or necessary documentation.

Steps for Registering as a Student with a Disability for Meal Plan Accommodations

1. Student must complete the ARS New Student Application online
2. Submit the completed Dietary Restrictions Verification Form
3. Once all paperwork is received and reviewed, ARS will have an intake meeting with the student to discuss need for dining accommodations