Dietary Accommodations at Whitman College
³Ô¹ÏÍø is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible dining experience for all students. We understand that some students may have dietary needs related to a documented disability that require reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to campus dining services.
Residential Meal Plan Requirement
All students living in residence halls are required to participate in a resident meal plan. However, Whitman recognizes that some students may need special dietary accommodations due to medical or disability-related conditions. Accommodations are individualized and handled on a case-by-case basis. If you have special dietary requirements or food allergies, please indicate these in your housing application.
Dining Services at Whitman
Bon Appétit is ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s dining services provider, offering a diverse and inclusive dining environment. Our culinary team is experienced in accommodating a wide variety of dietary restrictions, including:
- Dairy-free
- Lactose-free
- Peanut-free
- Gluten-free
- Sesame-free
- Soy-free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
For more detailed information and resources, visit the website.
Dietary Accommodation Request Process
Step 1: Meet with Bon Appétit
Students are encouraged to first meet with Bon Appétit’s dietary accommodations team to discuss their needs and explore available options. Bon Appétit offers one-on-one consultations and has Certified Dietitians available to support students with specialized dietary requirements.
Contact Bon Appétit at Whitman College:
345 Boyer Ave., Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: 509-527-5429
Email: Shannon Null, General Manager, shannon.null@cafebonappetit.com
Step 2: Submit a Request for Accommodation
If Bon Appétit’s accommodations are insufficient to meet your documented dietary needs, you must submit a formal request through Disability Access Services (DAS).
- Complete the Dietary Accommodation Documentation Form with your healthcare provider.
- Submit the form and any supporting documentation through the or email to DAS at das@whitman.edu.
- Schedule and attend an intake meeting with DAS to discuss your dietary needs.
- After the intake, DAS will coordinate a meeting with Bon Appétit to explore reasonable accommodations.
Important Notes on Meal Plan Accommodations
- Removal from the mandatory meal plan is only granted for documented disability-related reasons, after all reasonable alternatives have been considered.
- Requests based solely on dietary preferences will not be accommodated.
- Bon Appétit strives to accommodate most dietary restrictions through their offerings.
- Bon Appétit will inform DAS if they are unable to provide the necessary accommodations.
- Approved accommodations are valid for one academic year and require annual renewal.
Disability Information and Documentation Requirements
To qualify for dietary accommodations related to a disability, the condition must meet the ADA and Rehabilitation Act definitions:
- A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
- Documentation must clearly demonstrate how the condition substantially limits your ability to access campus dining.
- Documentation should be recent, detailed, and provided by a qualified healthcare professional (not a family member).
- Documentation must be typed or legible on professional letterhead with license details, diagnosis (including DSM-5 codes if applicable), and a description of functional limitations.
- Recommended accommodations may be listed, but final decisions are made by DAS staff after intake and review.
How to Apply for Dietary Accommodations
- Apply or register with Disability Access Services if you have not already done so.
- Log into the to submit a Supplemental Accommodation Request for dietary needs.
- Upload the completed documentation form and any supporting medical records.
- Attend the scheduled intake meeting with DAS.
- Participate in a follow-up meeting with Bon Appétit to finalize accommodations.
Contacts
Disability Access Services
³Ô¹ÏÍø
345 Boyer Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: 509-527-5429
Email: das@whitman.edu
Bon Appétit Dietary Accommodations
Shannon Null, General Manager
Phone: 509-527-5429
Email: shannon.null@cafebonappetit.com
Last updated: 8/21/2025
Contact Us
- Academic Year Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | by appointment only
- Phone: 509-526-3035 | Fax: 509-527-5039
DAS Testing Center
- Office: 509-527-5898
Contact Us
- Academic Year Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | by appointment only
- Phone: 509-526-3035 | Fax: 509-527-5039
DAS Testing Center
- Office: 509-527-5898