Catholic University of America
Not VerifiedWe currently have two made to order stations in our dining hall on a normal basis - our omelet and sandwich stations. Both stations have ingredient information available online or upon request in the dining hall. If we do any pop-ups or specials, ingredient information is always available upon request in the instance that the information is not available on the Dine on Campus app/website.
1. We provide access to ingredient information for made-to-order* items. *Made-to-order - Meals that are prepared on request and to your specification in the dining hall. Examples include a sandwich station, omelet station, burrito station, etc.
Our website and app display ingredients for all menu items. Students with food allergies or Celiac Disease are encouraged to speak with the ingredient expert (chef or manager) for verification. We can provide ingredient, recipe, and preparation information upon request to help students make informed decisions. There are ingredient experts in all locations all open hours to provide ingredient information upon request.
2. We provide access to ingredient information for self-serve* items. *Self-serve - Meals that are served buffet-style in a dining hall. These are typically high risk for cross-contact and are best avoided by diners with food allergies.
Yes, our team members are trained to take precautions in order to minimize the risk of cross contact in made to order areas. This includes proper hand washing, changing gloves and apron as well as cleaning and sanitation procedures.
3. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in made-to-order areas.
Service areas for all stations are often wiped down and sanitized. All associates are trained on ways to minimize cross-contact at each station, including not overfilling pans, using separate utensils for each item, and placing dishes with allergens in the appropriate spots to minimize cross contact between dishes at respective stations. Students are able to request for associates to use clean utensils to serve their food and to serve food from the back (full pans not placed on line yet) if they wish.
4. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in self-serve areas.
Students have access to pre-made meals in the case that they go through Disability Support Services who then grants a meal plan accommodation recommending separately prepared meals. The selected accommodation is based on the overall picture of a student's needs along with the required proper medical documentation. If separately prepared meals are recommended for a student, students are not able to pre-order meals; instead they receive a set rotational four week menu tailored specifically to their allergies. This menu is loosely based off of the G8 menu, giving these students a similar experience to other students eating on campus. There are separate preparation spaces and utensils used for these meals. Only trained head or sous chefs are permitted to make these meals and there are strict cleaning and sanitation procedures in place (along with washing hands, changing gloves). After meals are prepared, they are promptly covered, labeled (with a color-coded sticker specific to the student and their allergies), and wrapped in cellophane. If any risk of cross-contact occurs during preparation, the food is thrown out and re-made. Students are in close contact with the dietitian who oversees the menu and preparation of the food. If they have questions or requests regarding their meals
5. We have pre-order meals* available. *Pre-order meals - Custom meals that can be ordered in advance by a diner so they are ready for pick up at a specific time. Typically these can be ordered online or by phone/text.
Our G8 station avoids the top 8 food allergies as recognized by the FDA (plus gluten). There is a dedicated preparation space and dedicated purple utensils for this station. We provide some dedicated equipment (such as steamer, hot box), and others we have a process for how to minimize cross-contact in equipment we must share (such as ovens). We also have an Avoiding Gluten station full of prepackaged gluten-free items such as breakfast items and baked goods. All associates who prepare and serve G8 food have received FARE certified allergen and Celiac Disease training and must renew this annually. This station is not self-serve; staff are trained to plate the food on clean plates behind the line as they cannot accept plates from students. This station is monitored closely by the dietitian and executive chefs. There is a procedure in place to immediately throw out/pull from the line any food that may have cross-contact or contain allergens.
6. We have an allergy-friendly station*. *Allergy-friendly station - A food station where specific ingredients are banned, typically including many or all items in the Top 8 allergens and gluten.
All managers must complete two online trainings annually: FARECheck Certified Food Allergy and Celiac Disease training & Allergen Management training. All hourly associates who handle G8 food (preparation or service) must complete both above mentioned online allergy trainings as well. In addition, all hourly associates receive annual in-person allergy training at the beginning of each school year. Lastly, all hourly associates (regardless of whether they work with G8) receive monthly CHAT trainings that review different important topics related to food allergy education and safety. Areas of training include understanding food allergies, the top allergens, allergic reaction signs and symptoms, peanuts vs tree nuts, celiac disease and gluten intolerance, and mitigating risk for cross contact.
7. We train dining services staff members.
8. We have a registered dietitian* on staff. *Registered dietitian - Registered dietitians are food and nutrition experts who are often tasked with helping students with food allergies navigate the dining halls.
9. We train our RA's.
In residence life programs, much of the work is curriculum based and not focused on programs. Food is not commonly provided. However, if a student makes residence life aware of allergy needs, residence life will work with the student to accommodate those e.g. buy a gluten-free pizza for a program so that they can participate.
10. We have inclusive resident life programs* including food. *Inclusive resident life programs - Programs in the resident halls often include food. Inclusive resident life programs will offer students with food allergies the opportunity to request safe food alternatives for events they attend in the dorms.
The DSS office on campus processes all accommodations, including those pertaining to housing. The housing application accommodation process is detailed on the DSS website, available at https://dss.catholic.edu/other-accommodations/housing-accommodations.html. The student must also fill out the traditional housing application, available at https://housing.catholic.edu/on-campus/forms/index.html.
From a roommate assignments standpoint, food allergies are not addressed since information is not collected about what allergies students have/do not have. However, housing works to match specific mutual roommate requests. Roommate agreements do not include specific guidance regarding food allergies, but this would be managed in the agreement if one of the students brought it up for discussion. Any conflict between students is managed by Residence Life. If the conflict cannot be resolved, a student may willingly request a room change.
11. We offer accommodations for roommate assignments. *Every accommodation request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A housing accommodation cannot be guaranteed prior to an individual evaluation.
The Disability Support Services fields all student requests regarding accommodations. This is the best department to contact for food allergy accommodation requests. If there are questions on navigating the dining hall or self-selecting, it is best to contact the campus dietitian who can connect the student with helpful resources. DSS will connect students to the campus dietitian when they see it is needed based on their recommended accommodations.
Students can submit an accommodations request by visiting the university's DSS website. There are instructions on how to register and submit required documentation. After review, DSS will meet with students individually to discuss what accommodations they are able to reasonably provide on a case by case basis. Some accommodations do not require students to be registered for classroom or testing accommodations. These accommodations (Foreign Language Substitution, Housing, and accommodations for Commencement) are listed along with their specific procedure for the application process.
12. Our disability office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests.
See what health services we offer >
Our Department of Public Safety is currently considering having undesignated epinephrine available directly through DPS since they are the first on-campus responders to emergencies.
13. We have stock, undesignated epinephrine* available for emergency response. *Stock, undesignated epinephrine - Epinephrine that is prescribed to a college or university rather than to a particular student. This epinephrine is kept on hand to use for any student that experiences anaphylaxis.
14. Our campus emergency responders carry epinephrine.
In the case of any on-campus emergencies, the Department of Public Safety is called. DPS assesses the situation and will call city emergency responders if needed. DPS also collaborates with University Health Services, who are professionals trained to administer epinephrine. In the case of an emergency, they are contacted since they are the only location with undesignated epinephrine on campus. DPS may also call city emergency responders, who would have undesignated epinephrine on hand and be trained to administer it. All managers and hourly dining staff are trained on how to recognize an allergic reaction and how to respond. Students are encouraged to carry their epi-pen with them on-campus.
See what our emergency response policy allows for >