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Meal Plan Exemption

Trinity College is a four-year residential college and finds that dining together is one factor that allows students to develop a sense of community. Therefore, all students who live on campus in traditional residence hall rooms are required to purchase a Meal Plan. The College currently offers an array of dining options that include gluten-free, vegan, Halal, and Kosher selections, in addition to other healthy eating choices.

The College, in unique circumstances, may exempt a student from the required meal plan for religious reasons. Please note that a meal plan exemption will only be granted when the Dining Services program cannot meet the nutrition needs of a student. As part of this process, students must meet with the Resident District Manager of Chartwells to inquire about all the dining options available. The goal of this process is to provide students with the tools they need to actively manage their dietary needs within the residential dining program

If you’d like to discuss this process further before beginning, please contact the Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life, the Rev. Dr. Marcus Halley.

Meal Plan Exemption Process

Step 1: Download and complete the Religious Leader Form (you will need this to complete step 2).

Step 2: Complete the Dining Exemption for Religious Observance Form. The Dean of Spiritual and Religious Life will review your completed application and connect you to the Resident District Manager for a follow-up.

Step 3: Meet with the Resident District Manager of Chartwells to determine if they can meet your specific needs. The Resident District Manager submits a report to the Chaplain’s Office.

Step 4: The Chaplain’s Office makes a final judgment.

Please note

  • Exemptions for the following reasons will not be considered: financial, vegan/vegetarian/gluten free diet, work/class/practice schedules, access to a kitchen, or personal preferences.
  • A written statement from a religious leader does not guarantee the student will receive a meal plan exemption.
  • You will be notified of the decision of your exemption request via your Trinity email account. Your exemption, if granted, is only for one academic year. You must reapply the following year.
  • Please keep a copy of the documentation that you submit for your files.

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