CHANGE OF MEAL PLAN/
EXEMPTION APPLICATION
University of Massachusetts Dining
Part I: Application
Name: ________________________________________
UMass Student I.D. No.: ______________________
Currently on:  Unlimited Meal Plan
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
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
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
Reduce to:
Value Meal Plan
YCMP Platinum
YCMP Gold
Commuter
School Address: ________________________________
Value Meal Plan
YCMP Platinum
YCMP Gold
Commuter
No Meal Plan
E-mail:______________________@umass.edu
(Room # & Dorm)
School Phone Number: ___________________________
Date of Birth ___________________________________
Parent/Guardian Address: ________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Phone Number: _________________________________ Number of credits completed _________
Number of semesters on meal plan (please circle)
1
2
3
4
5 or more
Class of _____________
Part II: Personal Statement (please attach) – The student is to write an essay which details why a reduction/exemption
of the meal plan is required. It must be clear in your statement how you will provide your own meals if not eating in the
dining commons.
PART III: Documentation (please attach)
Reason(s) for Applying – Check the reason(s) you are applying for a meal plan reduction or exemption. Supply the
appropriate documentation. Refer to the fourth page of the application for the documentation required for each reason.
Office Use Only
Date Received __________
Medical
Nonmedical
 Academic
Date Responded ________
 Religious
For financial assistance with your UMass bill,
please contact the UMass Financial Aid Office.
Due Date: Your completed application is due in the Dining Services Administrative Office in Worcester Dining
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Commons, 3 floor, no later than 4:45 P.M. on Add/Drop Day. Applications received after Add/Drop Day will be charged a
non-refundable administrative fee of $250.00. Students who cancel their meal plan will be refunded as per the Registrar’s
Office refund schedule. It is recommended that you make a copy of this application and keep it for your files. Your
signature below indicates that you have read the information sheet and application completely and understand the
procedures. Your signature also gives permission to the coordinator of the committee to share documentation with the
committee and to other departments on campus, such as the Dean’s Office, to assist in your case if necessary.
Confidentiality is ensured.
_____________________________________________
Student’s Signature
___________________________________________
Date
669 North Pleasant Street, Worcester Dining Commons, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 01003
Phone: (413) 545-2472 Fax: (413) 545-9673
CHANGE OF MEAL PLAN/
EXEMPTION INFORMATION SHEET
University of Massachusetts Dining
This application is for student residents who fall under the requirement of the University Policy governing meal plans and
the on-campus residency who would like to apply for a lower meal plan or be exempted from the meal plan.
The University policy requires that all students living in non-apartment University housing must be on a meal plan.
Students living in the campus apartments, graduate students and off-campus students have the option of being on the
meal plan. You are automatically exempt if you are:
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A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (documentation must be submitted to Meal Plan Office in Franklin
Dining Commons)
Living with your parents or court-appointed legal guardian within a 40 mile radius of school
A person with dependent children
Living in a Greek House
Be sure to contact the Meal Plan Office to notify them of your exemption status.
submitted.
Documentation may need to be
Application process for exemption/reduction of meal plan: If you do not fall in any of the above categories and
feel you have reason to reduce or be exempt from the meal plan, then this is the application for you. There are three
parts to the application:
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Part I: Application – must be completed and signed at the bottom of the page.
Part II: A written essay that details why you require an exemption/reduction.
Part III: Written documentation supporting your reason for application.
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Once you have completed the application, submit it to UMass Dining at Worcester Dining Commons, 3 floor. The
Exemption Committee reviews all applications and determines your future meal plan status. The committee meets weekly
for the month prior to the semester and the first two months of each semester and then monthly thereafter. After your
application has been reviewed, your meal plan status will be e-mailed within two business days after the committee meets
and a formal letter will be mailed to your school address. If the Exemption Committee does not approve your initial
application, you may appeal the decision to the Committee in person. You are expected to provide either new or clarifying
information. If additional University administrators, faculty members or student leaders (i.e., Dean of Students Office,
Academic Departments, Ombuds Office, the Student Government Association, etc.) have direct knowledge of your
situation, your appeal may benefit by having their statement or letter included at this point in the process.
Some Things to Keep in Mind:
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Refunds will be prorated from the time the application is received for an exemption.
All applications will be reviewed and you will be notified of any missing documentation.
If you plan on submitting the application after bills are due, it is recommended that you pay for a residential
meal plan and if you are approved for a reduction/exemption, a refund will be processed provided there is no
outstanding balance.
Deadline Dates
Applications for the Spring 2014 semester are due on:
December 6, 2013, January 3, 10, 24 and February 3, 2014
Note: Add/Drop Day is February 3, 2014. Any changes after Add/Drop Day will be charged a non-refundable $250 administrative fee.
Students who are approved to cancel their meal plan will be refunded as per the Registrar’s Office refund schedule.
Commonly Asked Questions
1. Why am I required to be on a meal plan? The University has deemed it mandatory for all undergraduates living
in residence halls to be on a meal plan for the following reasons: convenience, nutrition and to promote the campus
community. Juniors (57 or more credits) and seniors living in residential halls have the option of purchasing the
Platinum or Gold YCMP.
2. How do I take advantage of the variety in the dining commons? There are many options available in the
dining commons. Please make a point of speaking to the manager on duty or contact our staff dietitian at
dietitian@umass.edu or by calling 413-545-2472. There may be more food options available than you realize. If
you want to pursue an exemption or reduction, you need to prove to the Exemption Committee that your dietary needs
cannot be met in the dining commons with written documentation. Refer to the last page of the application for specific
documentation required.
3.
What are the residential meal plans? Freshmen and sophomores have a choice of the following meal plans:
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Unlimited Meal Plan (unlimited entry into dining commons) – 12 flex meals - $2660.00/semester
Value Meal Plan – 224 meals/semester (~14 meals/week) – 9 flex meals - $2296.50/semester
Kosher Meal Plan - $200.00 additional charge to any meal plan
Each meal plan includes 15 guest meals as part of the meal plan. The flex meals (or meal exchanges) entitle the
student to eat allotted meals in the Campus Center/Dining Services Cafes on campus. If the student wants to change
the meal plan, a meal plan adjustment (what they are eligible for) can be made on SPIRE by 5 pm on Add/Drop Day.
4. As a freshman or sophomore, can I apply for the YCMP (Your Campus Meal Plan)? Yes, but you need
to justify your case. YCMP is an option for juniors (57+ credits), seniors (does not include Stockbridge students),
graduates or commuting students. Students have two options: All-you-care-to-eat in the dining commons (DCs)
and/or a cash equivalency for each swipe at the following locations: Bluewall Cafe, Bluewall MarketPlace, Hatch,
Fresh Meadow Cafe, Pita Pit, Thompson Café, Procrastination Station at the library, Marcus Café, Morrill Café,
Earthfoods, Sweets ‘n More, Greenough Sub, Sylvan Snack Bar, Whitmore or Southwest Cafes, etc. YCMP holders
are not limited to a specific number of visits in the dining commons or cash operations. It offers more flexibility and
convenience. Three meal plans exist:
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Platinum – 200 meals/semester - $2230.00/ semester (12 meals/week average)
Gold – 100 meals/semester - $1145.00/semester (6 meals/week average)
Commuter – 60 meals/semester - $700.00/semester (3 meals/week average)
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Kosher Meal Plan - $200.00 additional charge to any meal plan
ONLY FOR COMMUTER STUDENTS
5. I have classes and/or work from 7 am to 6 pm and don’t have a chance to eat in the dining
commons. I am on the residential meal plan. What can I do? Dining Services has options for you:
 Continuous dining from 7 am to midnight in the DCs and some retail operations open beyond midnight
 Grab-n-Go: Pick up a breakfast (Worcester & Hampshire DCs) or lunch (Berkshire, Franklin or Worcester
DCs) and eat the meal Monday to Friday. This meal is deducted from your meal plan.
Please note:
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A refund will be issued provided there is no outstanding balance on your bill. If you sign up for Excess
Express www.umass.edu/bursars, the refund will be deposited directly into your designated account within a
week or so. If you want a paper check, you need to request this on SPIRE, Student Center, and Finances. An
excess check will be issued within three weeks and you must personally pick up this check at the Bursar’s
Office. An e-mail will be sent to you when the deposit is made or a check is ready for pick up.
The refund schedule is based on the Registrar’s refund policy. No refunds after the fifth week of the
semester.
Reasons for a reduction/exemption from the meal plan and the type of documentation required.
MEDICAL: Two or more forms of documentation are required.
 Diagnosis: A letter on letterhead paper from a MD or DO (letters from chiropractors are not accepted) is required
stating your medical diagnosis. In event of food intolerance/allergies, the doctor must state specifically which food(s)
you cannot consume and what the allergy reaction(s) are. Your doctor can fax the documentation directly to us at
(413) 545-9673.
 Diet: A diet you are to follow for your medical condition. This includes a sample menu for meals/snacks for 3 days,
foods you are to avoid and foods you can eat. A dietitian can meet with you free of charge at University Health
Services; however, you must have a letter from your doctor stating your medical condition so she can counsel you
properly. To set up a consultation appointment (45 minutes), call (413) 577-5101.
 Cholesterol Level/Date Taken: If cholesterol/lipid levels exist, results from recent/multiple cholesterol lab tests and
the dates(s) taken must be documented. This can be included in the doctor’s letter.
NONMEDICAL:
 Academic Documentation: Documentation to include an unofficial transcript from UMass (SPIRE), other
college/university transcripts, class schedule (SPIRE-computer must print your name on document) and/or Registrar’s
documentation stating number of credits completed to date (no the number of credits to be completed at the end of
the semester). Your full name must be printed on the document by the computer. Your name cannot be hand written
on document.
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Religious Documentation: A letter evaluating your particular situation from your religious leader, or student
association advisor, must accompany your application. Your religion and any dietary guidelines must be stated in this
letter.
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Employment Documentation: Supply documentation from employer on letterhead paper stating your schedule (days
and hours are to be included). If meals or a discount on meals are a benefit of working at the establishment, it must
be stated in the letter. Your employer must also sign the letter.
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Class Schedule Conflicts: Provide an official copy of your schedule for the semester from the Registrar’s Office or
from SPIRE. Your name must be on the SPIRE documentation – printed by the computer, not handwritten.
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Extracurricular Activities: Provide a letter from an officer, coach, or representative of the committee/activity with
approximate schedule or average number of hours each week stating your involvement.
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Vegetarianism: The personal statement must state the type of vegetarian he or she is, how the food in the dining
commons does not meet his/her dietary needs and give a three day sample menu of foods eaten regularly. Students
who recently became vegetarians may want to meet with a dietitian at University Health Services, (413) 577-5101, to
be sure all nutrients are being met as a vegetarian. This would be considered supporting documentation.
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Sample Menu: If applying for an exemption or the Gold YCMP, submit a sample menu for 3 days for all meals,
snacks and beverages of the foods you will be preparing for yourself if not eating in the dining commons or at retail
operations on campus. Please submit how you will be paying for food (submit employment documentation to prove
you have a job) and where you will be preparing the food.
The Committee will need the above written documentation to review your case. This documentation is required as we are
a state institution and all files in the department are subject to audit and a justification for a meal plan exemption or
reduction is required for each and every case.
If you have further questions, please contact:
Brandy Sullivan
rd
Dining Services, Worcester Dining Commons, 3 Floor
669 North Pleasant Street
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-9314
Phone: 413-545-2472
Fax:
413-545-9673
bsullivan@mail.aux.umass.edu