A proposal aiming to make residents partially exempt from the financial mandates of the “”One-rate”” plan was postponed for discussion by the Housing and Dining Advisory Committee on Monday. The newest proposal aims to allow residents to withdraw 38 percent of their meal points to make food purchases elsewhere.

After an earlier proposal submitted on May 20 to exempt International House residents was rejected by the committee, A.S. representative to the Housing and Dining Advisory Committee Josh Whortman submitted the proposal, hoping to deter the controversial plan that obligates all on-campus residents to pay for a meal plan.

“”I’d like to see a mandatory meal plan phased out, but if that is not an option, this proposal or a program similar is the minimal accommodation necessary to meet the needs of students,”” Wortman said.

The proposal was tabled by the committee until next year on the grounds that it was “”unclear,”” according to Whortman.

“”I don’t think there’s anything I could have done that would have changed their minds,”” Wortman said.

Another member of the committee said that the proposal came too late for implementation next year, because the budget for H&DS was already approved and sent to the Office of the President.

Wortman argues that the dining hall facilities do not accommodate all dietary needs, such as strict Kosher, vegan or vegetarian, organic, high-protein, low-fat and Hallal. He said he believes this plan would allow students more flexibility in their dining options.

He modeled his proposition after one at UC Berkeley, where students can use meal swipes to buy merchandise at a 38-cents-per-dollar rate at a convenience mart-type establishment.

Under the proposal, the remaining 61 percent would still be in control of H&DS to pay overhead costs.

Wortman said he felt the need to author such a proposal after the bid to exempt I-House residents was defeated.

He lives in I-House this year — it is his first year living on campus and he has never had a meal plan.

In an e-mail to Wortman, Director of Housing and Dining Services Mark Cunningham expressed his opposition to Wortman’s proposal. Cunningham argued that there would be no way to handle making payments to students.

Cunningham was unavailable for comment.

The committee will look at Wortman’s proposal when they meet next fall.

“”I hope that next year they consider looking at this seriously,”” Wortman said.

Currently, there is no plan for exemption from the mandatory meal plan in place for next year.