Tech Dining Meal Plan Exemption Process

 

Policy Type: Meal Plan Administration
Effective Date: February 17, 2026
Latest Revision Date: February 17, 2026
Contact Name: Houston Freeman
Contact Title: Director of Customer Experience
Contact Email: Hfreeman38@gatech.edu

Reason for Policy:

To provide a clear and structured process for students seeking a meal plan exemption.  This includes religious exemptions or dietary exemptions from the mandatory college dining program.

Policy Statement:

This SOP applies to all students enrolled in the college who have dietary restrictions based on their that cannot be accommodated by the dining services.

Procedure:

  1. Initial Request:
    • Students must submit a written request for a dietary or religious exemption to Tech Dining through our ticketing system (Zendesk)
    • The request should include detailed information about the specific dietary restrictions and/or the religious practices that necessitate these restrictions.
  2. First Round Review:
    • Students will be required to meet with Tech Dining’s Dietician to assess the department’s ability to accommodate the request.
    • If the Dietician feels there needs to be accommodation made, they will consult with the Culinary Director and make a final determination.  This review process will determine if dietary needs can be accommodated within the existing meal plan options.
  3. Second Round Review:
    • If the student feels their request needs to be reviewed, they can submit an appeal request in email to the Director of Customer Experience.  The Director of Customer Experience will review the request, gather all relevant information, and submit it to the Exemption Appeal Committee.
    • The Appeal Committee will consist of the Director of Customer Experience (to chair and organize the committee but is not a voting member) and representatives from Housing/Residence Life, Campus Service Customer Support Team, Dean of Students Office, Legal, and Auxiliary & Finance.
    • The committee chair will be the Director of Customer Experience with Dining.
    • Students will be notified of the decision in writing within two weeks of submitting their request.
  4. Appeal:
    • If the student feels that their request needs to be further reviewed, they can submit a final appeal request to AVP of Campus Services, Kasey Helton.
    • AVP of Campus Services will review the student’s request and the Appeal Committee’s response and make a final determination.  The AVP can designate an Appeal Officer however, that officer cannot have participated in prior decisions relating to the request, supervise anyone on the committee, or be interpreted as having a conflict of interest with Dining.

  • Discrimination Requests:

    • If a student feels that they are being discriminated against during this process, they should submit the request to the Office of Equal Opportunity, Compliance, and Conflict Management.