Food Release grants a member exemption from the food portion of Escher's house charges. Co-opers share the cost of eating together, but this arrangement is unlike the meal plan you might find at a dorm. When everyone shares the burden for everything, we all benefit from the lower prices we get when we buy as a group. For this reason, the same house charges are expected of all members (based on room size as per the contract), regardless of what resources they use. Food charges are a bit special, because there are some members with severe allergies or conditions like celiac disease. In some cases, the house may vote to grant food release to a member who demonstrates they cannot have their basic food needs met by Escher.
Process
If a member believes that none of Escher's food options can meet their basic needs, they should do the following:
- Talk to Chef Giselle and explain their situation. Chef Giselle has extensive experience in accommodating dietary needs, and will quickly make an assessment.
- If Chef Giselle cannot accommodate their dietary needs, the member must then email a statement to the President explaining their situation, preferably with proof of their medical condition or dietary situation. This can be a doctor's note, or statements from other members that can vouch for them.
- The house must then vote on this release at a House Meeting. The house is free to disagree with the Judiciary Committee's recommendation. Ideally, the member requesting food release should be present to give a brief statement (private details and doctor's notes are not required here) and answer house questions.
A member that has been granted food charges release must not eat any house food.