At TCNJ, we strive to provide comprehensive support for students in managing dietary needs, restrictions, and any food-related concerns that may arise during their time on campus. To ensure that all individuals requesting a medical / allergen meal plan modification receive proper assistance, it is essential to be registered with the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC). Meal Plan Modifications are granted on a case-by-case basis. Meal Plan Modification requests must be renewed every academic year. There may be times when the committee may allow for an extension of the one-year modification. Such extensions will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The Process
Students will register with the ARC and have an Accessibility Specialist assigned to them. During the registration process, students will have the opportunity to submit relevant documentation to support the meal plan modification request. Students may upload supporting physician’s documentation during the registration process or separately. This documentation is crucial for identifying appropriate accommodations and facilitating the medical/allergen meal plan modification process with our Residential Education and Housing and TCNJ Dining partners.
Please note: If the student does not have documentation or previous accommodations ready to upload during the registration process, they can upload it to their portal later. However, we cannot proceed with the process until we have the required supporting documentation, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Students will meet with the Accessibility Specialist to discuss their individual needs and review the submitted documentation related to their medical/allergen meal plan modification request. During the meeting with the Accessibility Specialist, the specialist will assist the student in filling out the appropriate forms and scheduling a meeting with Sodexo’s registered dietitian.
This information will be shared among the members of the Meal Plan Modification Committee and will be maintained as an education record subject to privacy protection under FERPA. The Meal Plan Modification Committee is composed of staff members from the Accessibility Resource Center, The Office of Residential Education and Housing, and the Dining Services Registered Dietitian. Depending on the scope of the request, additional TCNJ or Dining Services staff may be invited to the discussion.
Students can expect a decision within 10 business days from the student’s appointment with the dietician provided that:
- the materials submitted via Accommodate are sufficient
- an intake meeting with an Accessibility Specialist has occurred
- the appropriate forms have been submitted
- and the student has met with the Registered Dietician,
However, if further information is needed or if a conference is necessary to discuss the Meal Plan Modification request, the student will be contacted by the Meal Plan Modification Committee, potentially delaying the time needed for the committee to make a decision.
All decisions will be sent to the student’s TCNJ email address. There may be suggestions, options, and resources available that the Committee may suggest and that the requestor may not be aware are available to help support the specified needs.
Note: All approved meal plan refunds will be processed by the Housing office. Any financial adjustment will be reflected in PAWS within 10 business days. If a refund is granted, check processing times may be a little longer.
Approved requests for medical / allergen meal plan modifications prior to billing will be processed with a full refund. Any approved requests submitted post-billing will be processed as a pro-rated refund based on the date the meal modification approval email has been sent.
Here’s how to get started
STEP 1: Register with the Accessibility Resource Center. Visit our website at arc.tcnj.edu and click on the icon labeled “Accommodation Process.” This page will provide important details and guide you through the registration process. During registration, you will be prompted to provide information about your medical / allergen diagnosis, issues with your current meal plan, and supporting medical documentation.
Note: Non-Medical / Non-Allergen (i.e. religious identity) requests will be processed via a different process. More information is coming soon.
STEP 2: Schedule a meeting with your Accessibility Specialist. Once registered, you will be assigned an Accessibility Specialist. Your specialist will reach out to you OR you can reach out to your specialist via email to schedule a meeting to discuss your meal plan modification request in detail.
STEP 3: Complete the medical / allergen meal plan modification form with your Accessibility Specialist.
STEP 4: Schedule a meeting with our Registered Dietician, Nicole Piotrowski.
STEP 5: (If Applicable) Schedule a meeting with the Meal Plan Modification Committee. Following your meeting with the Registered Dietician, if needed, you will receive an email from the Meal Plan Modification Committee to further discuss and review your request.
Appeals Process for Medical/Allergen Meal Plan Modification Decisions
If a student receives an unfavorable outcome regarding their Medical/Allergen Meal Plan Modification request, they are afforded one opportunity per semester to appeal the decision. Appeals can be made based on any new information that supports the request, as well as a review of the information originally presented.
To proceed with the appeal process, the student must complete the following via our Qualtrics form:
- Submit a Letter of Appeal: Provide a written statement explaining why they are appealing the decision.
- Provide Additional Documentation: Submit any new documentation that supports their appeal to their Accommodate portal.
- Optional Meeting with the Committee: The student has the option to meet with the Meal Plan Modification Committee via Zoom to discuss the appeal further. Students may choose not to set up a meeting if they feel their letter of appeal and additional documentation is sufficient for a decision to be made.
The Meal Plan Modification Committee has standing meetings weekly. Students should select from the available times provided below. If none of these times accommodate their class schedule, they should indicate all available times that do:
- Monday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Thursday: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- Friday: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Appeals will be reviewed and discussed by the Meal Plan Modification Committee and the Interim Vice President of the Division of Inclusive Excellence. A decision will be processed within 10 business days of the student’s appeal submission or their meeting with the committee, whichever comes later. (If the student chooses not to meet with the committee, the decision will be processed within 10 business days of the form submission date).