Dining Accommodations for Students with Food-Related Disabilities

Elizabethtown College is a four year residential college with a required meal plan. We recognize that certain food related conditions, such as an autoimmune disease like celiac disease or allergies to products like shellfish, wheat, milk, peanuts, or eggs, constitute a disability for some students. The College makes reasonable modifications for students who have food-related disabilities limiting their ability to fully participate in our meal plan. One reasonable modification might be to provide food made without allergens, using a specific allergen-free food preparation area. Other possible modifications, depending on the specific circumstances, might include certain meal plan revisions. The College expects specific modifications will be the result of an interactive process among the student, the Director of Dining Services, and the Director of Disability Services.

Students who qualify for dining modifications can review the online daily dining menus and have the option to pre-order requested meal choices. If Dining Services is unable to fulfill the particular request because the request is not made in a timely manner, we will provide an alternative option consistent with the student’s dietary requirements. Dining Services provides students with food-related disabilities a separate area with gluten free and allergy free appliances to store and prepare food, as well as access to designated areas in the walk in coolers, in accordance with their specific dietary needs. Elizabethtown College Dining Services allows students with dining modifications to submit their individualized "shopping lists" of requested foods made without allergens. While Dining Services is committed to the dietary health of each student, it is the student’s responsibility to inquire about ingredients in foods served. Students may do this by asking the server, by reviewing the ingredient list in the log book at the check station, or upon request by reviewing the ingredients in the storage areas.

Dining Accommodation Request Procedure :

1. The student will submit Dining Services Accommodation Request Form to Disability Services and request a meeting with the Director of Disability Services.

2. During this meeting, the student and the Director of Disability Services will discuss reasonable modifications to the meal plan based upon the submitted request and supporting information from the student. The student will be given a meal plan accommodation letter detailing the specific modification plan tailored to the student’s dietary requirements. On occasion, the Director of Disability Services may request additional supporting documentation prior to making a final determination regarding appropriate modifications. If this is requested, you can ask your health care provider to complete the Disability Documentation Form and submit the completed form to Disability Services.

3. The student will make an appointment with Director of Dining Services to review the specific modification to the meal plan and to determine suitable meal options. The student and the Director of Dining Services will discuss specific details pertaining to the student’s options and responsibilities as stated above.

4. It is the student’s responsibility to notify Disability Services of any changes in the requested modification during their enrollment in the college.

5. Students’ whose requests are denied or who are dissatisfied with the process or its outcome have the option to file a petition using the Grievance Procedure.

The following factors are taken into consideration when evaluating Dining Services Accommodation requests: