Disability Services Dietary Accommodations

As a residential college, Westmont requires that all students living on campus participate in the meal plan with the exception of those living in the Global Learning Center (GLC). Westmont is committed to providing the opportunity for all students to fully participate in College life, including the dining experience.  The meal plan description is available through the Westmont Housing Office.

Westmont’s Dining Commons offers a wide variety of options accommodating many dietary needs, including food allergies/intolerances and chronic health conditions. Virtually all students’ dietary needs can be met through the standard meal plan options. Exemptions are rare and are made on a case-by-case basis for those students with documented health conditions.

If you have a condition that requires a modified or restricted diet, please follow the steps below before pursuing a Meal Plan Exemption. Financial restrictions are not a sufficient reason to request a Meal Plan Exemption.

  • Step 1  Review the Food Allergies page on the Westmont Dining website. 
  • Step 2 Complete the Food Allergy, Diet & Nutrition Accommodation Questionnaire The Nutrition Manager or a Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN) from Bon Appétit will respond via email. You can also contact Bon Appétit General Manager, Leon Darley at Leon.Darley@cafebonappetit.com with questions. 
  • Step 3 In your meeting, the Nutrition Manager or RDN will work with you to determine dietary options and create an Individual Medical Meal Plan (IMMP). By actively working together, the IMMP can be modified and adjusted as needed. This IMMP or diet/nutrition plan will be appropriately communicated with dining managers and staff.

What If I still need a meal plan modification?

If Dining Services determines that your dietary needs cannot be met through an Individual Medical Meal Plan (IMMP), the Office of Disability Services (ODS) will be notified that a formal exemption may be needed. An exemption will not be considered until all previous steps have been completed. You may request a Meal Plan Exemption through ODS by pursuing registration as a student with a disability. If so, please read the following instructions.

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

  1. Complete a the online Housing Accommodation Application 
  2. Ask a licensed professional to complete the Housing Accommodation Provider Form and email to ODS.
  3. Once all paperwork is received and reviewed by the ODS Director, you will have an initial meeting with the Director.
  4. Final meal plan accommodation decisions will be made by the Meal Plan Review Committee
  5. Student will be notified of the decision shortly after this meeting

Other Information

Please note, meal plan exemption requests must be made on an annual basis. Previous accommodations are not automatically extended and you will need to contact Disability Services prior to a new academic year. Requests for approval of renewal of meal plan modification may be made by emailing request to ODS@westmont.edu, listing reasons for request for renewal, and arranging for meeting with director to discuss requested accommodations.

 

Students have the right to appeal the Review Committee's decision. Please refer to the ODS Grievance Procedures. 

 

Questions for ODS? For questions related to a disability please contact the Office of Disability Services at 805-565-6135 or ODS@westmont.edu.

 

Definitions

IMMP: Individual Medical Meal Plan created with student, dietician and dining services manager to develop and adjust an individualized meal plan according to student’s dietary needs.

RDN: Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

ODS: Office of Disability Services

DC: Dining Commons -location where food is served to the Westmont community by a contracted food service provider (Bon Appetit).

Disability: The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.