I. PURPOSE
This policy establishes the framework for administering the 2025-2026 Meal Plan at New York Medical College (“NYMC”) and Touro College of Dental Medicine (“TCDM”). It ensures compliance with applicable regulations, including Federal Title IV regulations under the Higher Education Act of 1965, New York State tax laws pursuant to N.Y. Tax Law § 1105(d) and 20 NYCRR § 527.8, and other institutional policies.
II. POLICY
First-year students attending classes at the NYMC campus, including TCDM students, are required to participate in the campus Meal Plan unless the student applies and receives an approved opt-out accommodation.
III. SCOPE
This policy applies to all students enrolled at NYMC’s campus, including NYMC and TCDM students who are participating in the Meal Plan.
IV. DEFINITIONS
A. Meal Plan: a declining balance meal plan for use in the NYMC Cafeteria that provides $900 of pre-paid meal plan credits in two or three allotments during the Academic Year pursuant to the Meal Plan Terms and Conditions.
B. Cafeteria: “Doc’s Café” located at 30 Sunshine Cottage Road, Valhalla, New York in the Basic Sciences Building of the NYMC campus.
C. Academic Year: The period beginning with the first day of classes of the first semester/trimester (Summer or Fall) of a student’s program and ending on the last day of classes of the Spring semester/trimester.
V. EFFECTIVE DATE
This policy shall be effective immediately.
VI. POLICY MANAGEMENT
Executive Stakeholders: Chief of Staff
Oversight Office: Office of Food Services
Meal Plan Terms and Conditions – Doc’s Café
1. Contract Duration
Meal Plans follow the full Academic Year calendar and consist of two or three allotments, based on the semester or trimester schedule of a student’s program, of declining balance credits. Credits roll over within the Academic Year. This is a “use it or lose it plan.” Students should plan on using up credits by the end of the Academic Year. No rollover is permitted between Academic Years. Unspent credits may not be used to offset charges in a subsequent semester or trimester. No rolled-over credits shall be refunded. Refunds shall otherwise be subject to the Refund Policy provided in paragraph 5.
2. Participation/Eligibility
All first-year medical, dental, physical therapy, and speech language pathology students enrolled at NYMC and TCDM’s Valhalla campus are required to participate in the 2025-2026 Meal Plan, except as provided herein.
3. Usage
- Meal Plan credits are pre-paid, and purchases made with the Meal Plan are deducted from a student’s balance.
- Meal Plan credits are non-refundable unless a student officially withdraws from the school, as provided herein.
- Meal Plans may only be used at Doc’s Café in the NYMC Basic Sciences Building.
- Meal Plans are active only during Cafeteria hours. Hours of operation and other details about the cafeteria are available at https://www.nymc.edu/departments/food-services/
- Students may not use their plan to make purchases for others.
- Transactions are limited to $75.00 per day.
- Only food and beverages may be purchased with Meal Plan credits.
4. Sales Tax Exemption
- Meal Plans are exempt from New York State sales tax under N.Y. Tax Law § 1105(d) and 20 NYCRR §527.8.
- To maintain this exemption, plans must be non-transferable, used solely by the student, and refunds are limited and governed by time-based criteria, not usage.
- Once Meal Plan funds are exhausted, meals purchased directly by the student will no longer be tax-exempt.
5. Refund Policy
Refunds are processed in accordance with the published refund policy of a student’s program.
6. Accessing the Meal Plan
The Vemos mobile application will be used to manage meal plan transactions beginning Monday, December 1, 2025. Through the app, students will be able to make purchases, view their balances, and transaction history.
- Download the Vemos Pay app from the app store or by clicking this link: https://qrco.de/bbaX6f
- Once downloaded, please sign up using the cell phone number associated with your Touro University Banner account
- Navigate to the “Memberships” section at the bottom of the app
- Find and select the “Touro University Meal Plan” program
- Once you select this program, you will see the option to view your “Member Card” at the bottom right. Click that to reveal your QR code.
- Add your QR code to your Apple or Google Wallet for easy access. This QR code will be scanned when checking out at the cafeteria.
- To view your transactions, navigate back to the Vemos Pay app and select your name on the top left then “My Payment”.
- For additional questions or assistance regarding your meal plan, please contact: helpdesk@nymc.edu.
- For any questions or concerns specific to your QR code or the Vemos Pay app, please email support@vemos.io.
7. Accommodations
Students seeking medical exemptions from the meal plan must complete the reasonable accommodation process by contacting the Division of Student Accommodations and Accessibility at NYMC-mealplanexemption@nymc.edu. All accommodation requests must be renewed annually.
8. Compliance and Conduct
Misuse of the Meal Plan (e.g., sharing, fraud) will be reported and may result in disciplinary action under the student conduct process.
9. Dispute Resolution and Release
Any disputes, questions, or claims regarding charges to the student’s meal plan account must be submitted in writing to the NYMC Office of Food Service within two (2) business days of the charge being posted via the NYMC Help Desk (helpdesk@nymc.edu). Failure to notify the NYMC Office of Food Service of a disputed charge within this period shall constitute a waiver and release of any and all claims related to that charge, and the student shall be deemed to have accepted the charge as accurate and final. No claims or adjustments will be considered after this two (2) business day period.
10. Contact Information
For questions or support regarding the meal plan, please contact the helpdesk at helpdesk@nymc.edu
11. Acceptance of Terms
By using the Meal Plan, students acknowledge and agree to abide by all terms and conditions outlined herein. Activation or use of the Meal Plan constitutes acceptance of these terms, including any updates communicated by NYMC.
