Meal Plans

• Busy schedule
• Food preferences (likes/dislikes)
• Vegetarian/vegan diets
• Lactose intolerance
• Top 9 food allergy
• Gluten free diets

Students with food allergies or medical dietary needs should contact Ali Olsen RD, CDN at [email protected] or 315-312-3284 before requesting a meal plan waiver.  In rare cases, where there is a medical, religious or dietary requirement that Oswego Dining cannot accommodate students may request to be waived from the meal plan.

• Students requesting a waiver from the meal plan must fill out the meal plan waiver request form and submit proper supporting documents. This can be submitted here.
• Waivers will not be considered until all documentation has been provided
• An email to your oswego.edu account will be sent once all documents have been received.
• A decision will be made within 3 weeks of all documents being submitted.
• Meal Plan Waiver requests will be accepted during the following time frames:
  • Fall Semester - Final Submission date is the last day to drop a class as defined in the University Calendar.
  • Spring Semester - Final submission date is the last day to drop a class as defined in the University Calendar.
• Meal plan waivers submitted after the deadlines will be considered for the following semester.
• A new meal plan waiver and supporting documents MUST be submitted at the start of each fall semester.
• The meal plan waivers will be reviewed by the Meal Plan Exemption Committee and the student will be contacted with a decision within 3 weeks. Decisions will be emailed to the student's oswego.edu email. The committee may contact the medical provider during the review to clarify any questions.
• If a meal plan waiver request is granted the student will get a credit to their account.
• Meal Plan Exemption requests are not granted solely on a student’s status of being a vegetarian/vegan or due to a student’s food preferences.
• Please note, Oswego Dining Services does provide meal options for students who are on special diets and have food allergies.  If it is found that your dietary restrictions CAN be met by Oswego Dining, you are required to meet with the Registered Dietitian and dining hall manager to determine an appropriate menu within 10 business days of receiving the final notice.

This exemption type is considered for students with documented medical disability(ies) that drastically affect the student’s ability to eat from on-campus food locations and requires accommodations that Oswego Dining cannot provide

If the exemption request is for Medical Dietary Restriction, the following information must be provided and submitted directly to the Registered Dietitian:

• Medical documentation must be from a licensed medical physician submitted on letterhead, typed, dated and signed
• Statement of diagnosis, and date of onset
• An explanation of why Oswego dining can’t meet the students' medical or dietary restrictions
• The alternative plan recommended for the student and how they will eat throughout the year
• An estimated length of time this treatment will be necessary

Please note, Oswego Dining Services does provide meal options for students who are on special diets and have food allergies. If it is found that your dietary restrictions CAN be met by Oswego Dining, you are required to meet with the Registered Dietitian and dining hall manager to determine an appropriate menu within 10 business days of receiving the final notice.

This exemption type is considered for students who are committed to practicing a religion that requires a restricted diet.

Students applying for Religious Dietary Observance exemption must do the following:

• Submit a letter outlining:
  1. The significance of the religious dietary observance
  2. What food/food items must be avoided
  3. Upload a letter from the religious leader with specific details regarding the religion and dietary restrictions.
  4. A written plan of how the student will eat throughout the year, should an exemption be granted. 

• A written letter explaining why a request is being made.
• Any supporting documents to show need for a request
• A written plan of how the student will eat throughout the year

You have multiple convenient options to purchase block meals:

1. Online:
   Purchase block meals online quickly and securely by filling out the Block Meals Order Form.
2. Visit Us in Person:
   Stop by the ID & Meal Plan Office located in 503 Culkin Hall.
3. Call Us:
   Reach us at (315) 312-2588 for assistance.

What Does 1 Swipe Get You?
Each swipe equals 1 block meal, which can be used for:

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Global Faire, or Late Night options.

Enjoy your meals at any of our Resident Dining Centers:

• Lakeside Dining Center
• Copper Dining Center
• Pathfinder Dining Center

Laker Dining Dollars, can be used at a variety of locations:

• Retail Dining Operations: Marano Campus Center, Fusion Cafe, Rich N' Pour Cafe, Lake Effect Cafe, Refresh 2.0
• College Store in Lanigan Hall
• Vending
• Resident Dining Centers: Lakeside, Copper, Pathfinder

• Meal balances from Block Meal purchases rollover from fall to spring semester.
• Block Meal balances and Laker Dining Dollars do not roll over from the spring semester to the fall semester. Balances must be used by spring Commencement.
• Block Meals and Laker Dining Dollars are New York State tax-exempt and therefore non-refundable.
• Questions?  Please email: [email protected]

• 3 Guest Meals $39.99

Minimum purchase per transaction is 3 meals.
Maximum purchase per transaction is 6 meals.
You may purchase Guest Meals anytime, as many times as needed during the semester.

• The guest must be accompanied by the meal plan holder.
• Guest meal balances roll from Fall to Spring semester provided a Residential meal plan is purchased for Spring semester.
• Guest meals must be used by Spring Commencement.
• Guest meal balances and usage may be tracked using Laker LookUp.
• Guest meals are to be used for guests only. Students cannot purchase guest meals and use them for themselves as way of supplementing their meal plans.
• Guest meals are not to be used during the summer.