Dining & Catering Accommodations

Springfield College is a four-year residential college and finds that dining together is one factor that allows students to develop a sense of community. In addition, the College strives to provide students with sufficient housing and meal plans to support student success. For the traditional residence life buildings, which include Gulick, Reed, Massasoit, Abbey-Appleton, Alumni, International and Lakeside Hall, the College requires a minimum meal plan of the All Access + 3, as this plan ensures that students have sufficient meal coverage. The College currently offers an array of dining options that include gluten-free, vegan and allergen-friendly, in addition to other healthy eating choices.

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. A registered dietician is also available to consult with students as needed. Generally, exemptions requests for the following reasons will not be considered: financial, vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free diet, work/class/practice schedules, or personal preferences.

Allergies and Disabilities on the Basis of Food

Springfield College recognizes the need for reasonable modifications for disabilities on the basis of food allergies, celiac disease, or other disabilities or medical conditions requiring a special diet (collectively, "food allergies"). Read the College's food allergy policy.

If you are seeking an accommodation or reasonable modification relating to dining or catering services, including any accommodations related to your Springfield College meal plan, you can initiate that process by completing  Online Student Application through the Academic Success Center’s Disability and Accessibility Services (DAS)

Accommodation Request Form

Religious Exemption Requests

Dining with other students is an important part of the residential experience at Springfield College as it builds connections with the campus community and ensures students have access to nutritional foods. Springfield College places an emphasis on cultivating a campus environment that is not only inclusive and respectful but also mindful of the various religious affiliations and spiritual needs of our diverse student body. Our goal is to create a culture where each student, irrespective of their faith, feels completely at home and can practice and engage with their religious beliefs wholeheartedly.

The College, in unique circumstances, may exempt or make a change to a student's required meal plan due to their sincerely held religious beliefs. A meal plan exemption or change will only be granted when, in the reasoned opinion of the Committee, Harvest Table cannot meet the religious needs of a student. Before any exemption or change is granted, students must fill out an exemption application and meet with a representative from Harvest Table to inquire about all the dining options available. The Religious Accommodation Review Committee will review the application and any supporting documents/evidence supplied by Harvest Table and render a decision. 

As Harvest Table continuously works to meet the many needs of students, students may be required to use the required meal plan option for a set period of time before an exemption or change will be considered. 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. A registered dietician is also available to consult with students as needed. If an exemption or change is granted, the College will review further housing accommodation options to ensure that the student has access to a functioning kitchen and/or special permission to have otherwise prohibited appliances suitable for preparing their own meals. 

To discuss this process further, please contact the Office of Non-discrimination Initiatives at access@springfield.edu. 

Request Deadlines: 

The Request must be received by the second Friday of the academic semester in which the request is being made. If a change is made after bills are due, the student will pay for the meal plan, and if the student's request for a reduction is granted, a credit will be processed. The exact amount of the credit will be prorated based on the Committee’s decision date. 

To be Eligible for Consideration, a Student

• Must be a matriculated student at Springfield College currently enrolled in the meal plan. 
• Request a waiver by using the Religious Accommodation Request Form.
• The request must be received by the second Friday of the academic semester in which the request is being made. Any requests after the deadline will be considered for the next academic semester. Requests will be reviewed on a rolling basis after the student's Harvest Table meeting. It is suggested a student fill out the Religious Accommodation Request Form as soon as the student knows there is a need. 
• May have a qualifying event that requires a meal plan reduction. 

Supporting Documentation 

• It is strongly recommended that you include a letter or documentation from a religious leader on the religious leader's letterhead outlining meal accommodation requirements.

Meal Plan Exemption Request Process:

1. Complete the Religious Accommodation Request Form. 
2. It is strongly recommended that you include a letter or documentation from a religious leader on the religious leader's letterhead outlining meal accommodation requirements. 
3. The Religious Accommodation Review Committee will refer the student to the Harvest Table registered dietician to determine if Harvest Table can meet the student's specific religious needs.
   1. Each request is reviewed on an individual basis. 
   2. Harvest Table will report to the Religious Accommodation Review Committee their ability to meet the religious needs of the student. 
   3. If the student does not attend the scheduled meeting, the Committee may decide with the information provided.
4. The Religious Accommodation Review Committee will make its determinations based on a review of all the information presented by the student and Harvest Table.
   1. If the Religious Accommodation Review Committee determines that Harvest Table can reasonably accommodate a student's basic nutritional needs, the student will remain on a full or partial meal plan. 
   2. If the Religious Accommodation Review Committee determines that Harvest Table cannot meet the student's needs, a meal plan reduction or exemption will be processed, although it may be suggested that the student move to a suite-style housing placement with a full kitchen. The student will be responsible for any change in the cost of the accommodation.
5. Meal plan exemptions are only granted in the most limited circumstances.
6. The student's meal plan is still considered active and may be used during the review process. The student will be charged whether it is used or not. 

Please Note: 

• Exemptions or changes for the following reasons will not be considered: financial, vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free diet, work/class/practice schedules, or personal taste preferences. 
• The letter or documentation from a religious leader on the religious leader's letterhead outlining meal accommodation requirements does not guarantee the student will receive a meal plan reduction or exemption. 
• Students will be notified of the decision of their exemption request via their Springfield College email account. 
• Students have an obligation to pay for their meal plan until their exemption or meal plan change request is approved, including through any request review period. 
• Students should keep a copy of the documentation they submit for their files.
• Students living in suite-style housing may move through the approval/change process more quickly. 
• It is suggested that students who receive a full exemption move to a suite-style housing placement with access to a full kitchen, if available. The student will be responsible for any change in the cost of the accommodation. 
• If the meal plan reduction is needed due to a medical concern, please start the Disability Accommodations process.
• Meal plan exemption and change requests must be submitted and renewed annually. 
• If it is determined during the semester that a student waived from the meal plan is able to utilize the College's dining facilities (i.e., found eating in the dining hall or eating at catering events on campus, etc.), the minimum required meal plan may be added back to their student account.
• If the student feels as though the College or any College employee has discriminated against you based on your religious affiliation, please contact the Office of Non-discrimination Initiatives at access@springfieldcollege.edu.
• If the student receives a meal plan stipend, it will only be applied to the actual cost after the waiver or reduction. 
• A student whose request for a meal plan change is denied or reduced by the Committee may appeal to the appellate officer, the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, or designee by following this The appeal may be based on the following. 

New information that was not available before the process that would have materially affected the outcome. A summary of this new information, why it was previously unavailable, and its potential impact must be included in the appeal.

Dining Support

Have questions about navigating your preferred diet or religious restrictions while at school? Looking to learn more about healthy eating while on campus? Our staff is here to help support you in finding the best meals, stations, and services to support your lifestyle. 

Learn more about the support available through Springfield College Dining Services by contacting us: 

Harvest Table Culinary Group 
Email: scdining@springfieldcollege.edu 
Phone: 413-748-3205

Registered Dietitian: Holly Corcoran 
Email:corcoran-holly@harvesttableculinary.com 
Phone: (413) 748-4413

Learn more about our hours, daily menus, and resources here.

Questions: 

Questions regarding the meal plan exemptions can be directed to the Office of Student Affairs. 

If you feel as though you have been discriminated against by the College or any College employee on the basis of your religious affiliation, please contact the Office of Non-discrimination Initiatives at access@springfieldcollege.edu.