Navigating dietary needs
UHDS is obligated to make reasonable accommodations for resident students with dietary restrictions. The comprehensive integration of multiple tools that enable students with dietary restrictions to navigate menus, request for food to be separately prepared for cross-contact sensitivity, and prepare much of their own food in residence hall kitchens provides support tools that meet the needs of the vast majority of students. There are additional accommodations that can be provided following connection through Disability Access Services. Since there are multiple comprehensive operational tools and accommodations, it is exceptionally rare for a student to be granted a meal plan exemption.
Each residence hall has at least one shared kitchen space for all residents to use. These spaces are maintained by the resident leadership in each building and topics can be addressed directly with those contacts. Full, single kitchens are not available in the first-year residence halls, although some shared kitchenette spaces (which include a small sink and microwave) are available in a few of the second-year and above residence models, many of which require connection through Disability Access Services. Please reach out and work with your residence leadership for help, concerns or issues related to the shared kitchen spaces.
Few of the residence halls have lockers available near the kitchen spaces, and those that do are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Most residents that will use their own cooking equipment (due to cross-contact sensitivity or limited availability of rental equipment) will need to store the equipment in their room when not in use. This may be accomplished by storing the equipment in a bin with a lid that can more easily be carried to and from the kitchen.
UHDS works to place students in an appropriate residence based on multiple factors, including enrollment in or association with certain colleges or extracurricular programs, roommate matching, room availability, economy room preference, and disability accommodations, among others. While much of the residence placement is able to be done systematically and electronically with a specialized matching program, a significant portion must still be done manually. During the process of residence placement, all factors are taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis. For special requests in regards to residence placement due to allergies or other medically necessary factors, please contact Disability Access Services.
The approach to food allergen and gluten screening and limitation in Dining Services' operations is intentionally and comprehensively integrated into all restaurants managed by UHDS within the three dining centers and Memorial Union. This is intended to enable all students to be able to safely dine in any of these locations without exclusion, as opposed to pressuring students with dietary restrictions to dine only in designated locations. Please refer to the Food Allergy and Special Diets Accommodations guide for more information about the locations that have designated spaces or menus that are free from certain ingredients.