We accept requests to be exempted from a mandatory meal plan for the following reasons only:
- Multiple food allergies that can’t be accommodated by the Dietary Restriction Program.
- Religious reasons (e.g., kosher diet)
- Physician-prescribed diet that can’t be accommodated by Food Services.
If one of the above applies to you, we recommend selecting a residence that doesn’t have a mandatory meal plan.
Food allergies? Learn about our Dietary Restriction Program.
Submitting a request for exemption
Contact our dietitian to confirm your request is eligible. You may be asked for supporting documents.
Request processing
It can take up to ten business days to process your request.
If your supporting documents aren’t considered sufficient, an evaluation by a University of Ottawa health care professional and allergy tests may be needed. This might delay processing of your request.
Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and we can’t guarantee you’ll receive an exemption.
If your application is approved and you’re entitled to a refund for the cost of your meal plan, it will be calculated based on the date your access to the Dining Hall ends.