Meal Plan Appeals Policy & Process
South Dakota Board of Regents Policy 3:6 requires all students enrolled in six (6) or more on-campus credits live in on-campus housing and have meal plan during the first two (2) years following their high school graduation. The meal plan appeals process is in place to provide recourse for those students who wish to have a review of their request to not purchase a full meal plan for medical or other reasons. Students who feel their circumstances should exempt them from the requirement may submit a meal plan exemption form. Once the form has been reviewed, students will be informed of the committee’s decision by email. If a student does not agree with the decision made by the meal plan appeals board, they may appeal this decision to the Associate Dean of Students office within one week of the board's decision.
Meal Plan Exemption requests must be submitted by July 15 for the fall term and December 15 for the spring term within the academic year. It is the student's responsibility to provide the completed documentation to the University Housing office within 2 weeks, from the date the form is sent to the student via email (return date may be extended upon request if needed). The request will be denied if the student has not returned their completed paperwork to University Housing within 2 weeks. If a student is a late admit to USD they will have ten days from admittance to file an exemption.
Documentation advised:
- Appeals are typically based on medical or financial reasons that are not able to be accommodated by Dining Services. In both cases, the appeals board strongly encourages the student to provide supporting documentation. It is the student's responsibility to provide documentation with the appeals form.
- Students needing to provide medical documentation may attain this documentation through the Sanford Clinic Vermillion at 20 South Plum Street or through your primary care provider. A medical professional will assess previous medical documentation or provide an assessment of the student's current status. The Sanford Clinic staff are familiar with both the appeal process and the dining options available through USD Dining Services, and is USD's medical partner in this appeals process.
Appeals not granted for:
- The building in which a student lives.
- Personal convenience (i.e. money can be saved by purchasing groceries).
- Vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options. Students and family members are encouraged to talk with USD Dining Services to discuss their individual nutritional needs and learn about the food options available through all of the Dining Services locations. A meeting can be arranged by emailing [email protected].
- Scholarship status. Resident assistants and athletes on certain scholarships will not be considered for an appeal.
Refunds of Food Service Fees
Students with a food service contract who withdraw from the Regental system will receive a proportional refund at the time of withdrawal of up to 60 percent, after which no refund is available.
