Vanderbilt University
VerifiedAll ingredient, nutrition and allergen information can be accessed online on Vanderbilt NetNutrition for all dining halls on campus.
We strategically plan all stations to ensure the safety of our students, including plan-o-grams of stations, where ingredients are stored and how to decrease all possibility of cross-contact.
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.
The only self-serve stations on campus are the salad bars and other small items such as bakeries and dessert stations. All ingredient, nutrition and allergen information can be accessed online on Vanderbilt NetNutrition for all dining halls on campus.
We strategically plan all stations to ensure the safety of our students, including plan-o-grams of stations, where ingredients are stored and how to decrease all possibility of cross-contact.
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.
3. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in made-to-order areas.
4. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in self-serve areas.
Students that submit medical documentation to Student Access Services and have met 1-on-1 with the Registered Dietitian, are given access to online pre-ordering, in which they create a profile that is specific to their allergies and preferences. This allows the student to order up to 7 days in advance and ensures the upmost safety of food being prepared. Vanderbilt Campus Dining also carries Nima Sensors in each of the dining halls to test for gluten before delivering meals to students. Previously, we did the same for Peanut but we are now are peanut and tree-nut free in our dining halls!
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.
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.
Food Allergy 101, anaphylaxis, avoiding cross-contact, college and university policies, Vanderbilt Campus Dining policy and procedure specifics, Nima Training, emergency situations, etc.
All staff must pass Allergy Training courses before they are allowed to work in designated areas.
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.
Contact the Registered Dietitian in advance!
The RAs are trained to refer students to the registered dietitian when a student has an allergy, intolerance, religious restriction, or any other dietary need.
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.
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.
12. Our disability office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests.
See what health services we offer >
Legally we are unable to carry stock epinephrine pens in our dining facilities. Registered Dietitian educates all students with allergies about the importance of carrying epinephrine pens at all times.
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.
If 911 is dialed on campus, our campus emergency response team is immediately notified and we share a campus with a medical center for quick and immediate access.
See what our emergency response policy allows for >