Stanford Junior Alleges Peers Fake Jain Faith to Bypass Costly Meal Plans
Stanford junior alleges students falsely claim Jainism to avoid the $7,944 meal plan and shop off-campus.
A Stanford University student has alleged that some undergraduates are falsely claiming adherence to the Jain faith to avoid the university’s mandatory campus meal plans, which cost nearly ₹7 lakh per year.
In an essay published in The Times, Elsa Johnson, a 21-year-old junior at Stanford, said that accommodation systems intended to protect genuine religious and medical needs are increasingly being misused. While her essay broadly examines disability accommodations, Johnson highlights religious dietary exemptions as one of the most visible examples of alleged exploitation.
Stanford requires most students living on campus to purchase a compulsory meal plan, priced at $7,944 (approximately ₹7.16 lakh) for the 2025–26 academic year. Exemptions are granted when students state that their religious dietary requirements cannot be reasonably met by campus dining services.
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Johnson claims that some students falsely identify as followers of Jainism to qualify for these exemptions. Jain dietary practices prohibit eating root vegetables and foods that may harm living organisms, including insects. According to Johnson, students who do not genuinely follow Jainism allegedly use this claim to opt out of the meal plan entirely.
She further writes that exempted students often use their food allowances at grocery stores such as Whole Foods, purchasing customized meals and fresh produce, while other students remain dependent on standard university dining options, which she describes as limited and unappealing.
Johnson argues that university administrators are hesitant to challenge such claims, as questioning a student’s religious belief could lead to legal disputes or accusations of discrimination. She concludes that while genuine religious and medical accommodations are essential, misuse undermines trust and strains systems meant to support students with legitimate needs.
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