Westfield State University
VerifiedAll- Sushi, Stir fry, Grill, Allergen-Free Station
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.
All of them- salad bar, condiment station, and the dessert station.
All foods are labeled with the top 8 allergens plus corn and sesame. Additional information is always available 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.
There is an established procedure for staff to follow if a student makes a special dietary request. Allergy-friendly meals are made separately from other meals and procedures are in place to prevent cross contamination. All stations in the dining hall have cross-contact procedures in place. Additionally, our allergen free station is always staffed and a new plate is required for every student who is served.
Accommodations can be made for all students with dietary needs. Pre-ordered meals will be held separately until they are picked up.
3. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in made-to-order areas.
All Self-Serve Dining options have effective back-of-house procedures to lower the risk of cross contact. In the front-of-house, all items are labeled with allergens and each item has separate tongs. Additionally, students with allergies are encouraged to request items from backup containers if they are worried about cross-contact.
Our dining room staff is more than happy to get food from backup containers in the kitchen to lower the risk of cross-contact.
4. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in self-serve areas.
If a student needs to pre-order their meals, they must meet with the Registered Dietitian and/or Executive Chef to discuss their needs and come up with a plan.
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.
We provide a gluten-free starch, protein, vegetables, and sauces at each meal. Our allergen-free station may contain corn, sesame, and/or coconut. Please inform the chef of additional allergies.
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.
The top 8 allergens, avoiding cross contact, the signs of anaphylaxis (and what to do if someone is having a reaction), hidden sources of allergens.
Many of our employees have completed their ServSafe training as well as Allergen Awareness training. Additionally, all employees are required to attend the allergy training given by our Registered Dietitian each year.
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.
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.
As with any other accommodation requests, students must submit a written request and supporting documentation. With housing accommodations in particular there is a strong need to provide everything in a timely manner. Housing and Disability Services have a published deadline for initial reviews and placements. Anything sent in afterwards is dependent on remaining spaces available.
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.
If dietary needs do not rise to the level of a disability students may work directly with dining services staff. Majority of accommodation requests from students with food allergies and celiac disease are to be placed in apartment style housing with kitchen access to either supplement or replace the University dining plan.
Registration and request forms are available from disability services advisors and on our website. Students must also submit supporting documentation.
12. Our disability office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests.
See what health services we offer >
The WSU Department of Public Safety has an epipen and all officers have been trained to administer the EpiPen or can assist in the administration of an EpiPen. They respond to all medical calls on campus.
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.
All of the officers are certified First Responders and a few are EMTS . All have been trained to administer the EpiPen or can assist in the administration of a EpiPen. University Police respond to all medical calls on campus.
14. Our campus emergency responders carry epinephrine.
See what our emergency response policy allows for >