MEAL PLAN WAIVER: A STUDENT PROPOSAL

Introduction

Through a series of four 90 minute meetings open to all students, a two hour forum also open to all students, and a number of emails and conversations occurring over the past few months, the Student Government Association has compiled information to form a Student Proposal for the 2009-2010 Mandatory Meal Plan Waiver. 

The exemption we have prepared is detailed and lengthy.  We believe this is necessary and appropriate for the successful transition of this meal plan which includes an off-campus component that is new to the University of Louisville.  It is understood that such extensive exemptions will not always be provided, but for the upcoming year, before the bulk of food service expansion takes place, it is justifiable that more students be waived from the Mandatory Meal Plan.

With this being said, The University of Louisville Student Government Association would like to propose the following exemptions to the 2009-2010 Mandatory Meal Plan:

Financial Exemption

Students who cannot pay for the meal plan without suffering significant financial lifestyle changes should be exempt from the Meal Plan. 

The Student Government Association believes that the meal plan should enhance a students experience at the University of Louisville rather than cause unnecessary hardships.  We do however acknowledge there should be a tangible definition set for those who should fall under this category of exemption.  Because we are uninformed and under qualified to set these specific guidelines, we would be willing to work with the financial aid office to determine specific guidelines for this particular section of our waiver proposal. 

In general terms, our thought process brought about several measuring devices for the determination of who may fall into this category: students who were eligible for free or reduced lunch in High School, students who are below state poverty line or on food stamps, students who must take on, an otherwise unnecessary, job to accrue funds for the meal plan.  FAFSA, tax returns, and official documentation from and employer would be required to assist in determining and verifying these circumstances.

Students with a Dependent Exemption

Students who care for dependents should be exempt from the Off-Campus Meal Plan.

Students providing the primary care for another individual have financial obligations students without dependents do not have.  Because of their unique financial situations, Student Government Association believes it is more important for students with dependents use their funds to care for this other person or persons. 

The student’s most recent tax return would be required to verifying he or she cares for a dependent.

Medical-Dietary Exemption

Students with disabilities or medical conditions requiring a special diet which cannot be met by on-campus dining facilities should be exempt from the Meal Plan. 

Because the Mandatory Meal Plan is not a fee and is instead a dollar-for-dollar meal purchasing plan, the Student Government Association believes students should be able to eat the foods they purchase; this is not the case for those who have medical-dietary needs that prevent this.  In order to verify such needs, we find it acceptable to require documentation from a physician or qualified professional indicating a student’s dietary needs and/or restrictions.

Religious-Dietary Exemption

Students with religious needs requiring a special diet that cannot be met by on-campus dining facilities should be exempt from the Meal Plan. 

Because the Mandatory Meal Plan is not a fee and is instead a dollar-for-dollar meal purchasing plan, the Student Government Association believes students should be able to eat the foods they purchase; this is not the case for those who have religious-dietary needs that prevent this.  In order to verify such needs, we find it acceptable to require documentation from a clergy indicating a student’s dietary needs and/or restrictions.

Co-Op/Student Teachers/Online Classes Exemption

Students who both live off campus and Co-Op off-campus, Student Teach off-campus, or take fewer than twelve hours on Belknap Campus but remain full-time because of online courses, should be exempt from the Off-Campus Meal Plan.

It is the Student Government Association’s understanding that The Mandatory Meal Plan is intended for undergraduate students taking twelve hours or more on Belknap campus.  This is interpreted to mean that students must be taking at least twelve course hours physically on Belknap campus.  Under this interpretation, students who Co-Op, student teach, or are taking online classes without twelve class hours located on Belknap Campus should be automatically waived from the meal plan. 

It is important to clarify this distinction because currently, students living on campus in these situations are required to purchase a meal plan.  With the new off-campus meal plan, a significant distinction is incurred: location.  Students living off-campus without these twelve Belknap Campus hours do not have the needed opportunity to spend their meal plan and eat on-campus without going to great lengths. 

Class schedules may be used to determine the validity of these exemptions.  Some co-op, and student teaching courses may need to be re-classified in terms of their location to ease the difficulty of this process.

Evening Student Exemption

Students living off-campus and taking only evening classes should be exempt for the 2009-2010 Meal Plan.

Because evening dining options will still be quite limited for the 2009-2010 school year, The Student Government Association believes it is important to exempt students who will only be on campus in the evening.  These students will not be able to fully benefit from the dining services and will have narrow options at which to spend their meal plan.

A class schedule would need to be provided each semester for exemption to be valid. 

Non-Medical Dietary Needs Exemption

Students who have non-medical dietary needs such as vegan, vegetarian or organic diets should be exempt from the 2009-2010 Meal Plan.

Because vegan, vegetarian and organic options will still be quite limited for the 2009-2010 school year, The Student Government Association believes it is important to exempt students who strictly adhere to such diets.  These students will not be able to fully benefit from the dining services and will have narrow options at which to spend their meal plan.  It is also important to note the serious health issues that these students may incur if they purchase and consume and access of foods that are in the realm of vegan, or vegetarian but do not align with nutritional needs. 

In order to verify such needs, the Student Government Association finds it acceptable to require receipts from two-months of the student’s groceries as well as a two-page essay in which the student explains their decision to adhere to a vegan, vegetarian or organic diet.

Special Circumstance Form for Exemption

Students who feel they have a specific and/or unique circumstance that is not presently exempted and warrants an exemption should have the opportunity to present their case to be exempt from the meal plan.

The Student Government Association has presented an extensive list of exemptions that we believe warrant an exemption. However, we realize we have not covered every situation that may arise with every student.  With a diverse student body that we pride ourselves on as a University, we should gladly allow a Special Circumstance form to allow students to explain their situation.  This Special Circumstance form should be open to any and all circumstances: uncovered financial situations, unique class and work schedules, etc. 

Each of the Special Circumstance Forms will be determined on a case-by-case basis.  The circumstance will be determined justified or unjustified for exemption by the Dining Advisory Committee, one additional student involved in SGA, two additional students not involved in SGA and any other faculty or staff that may have professional and constructive knowledge on the particular circumstance