Brandeis University
Verified1. 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.
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.
We conduct food allergy training for all employees upon hire, as well as annually, or more often as needed. Additional training is provided to any staff on our AllGood allergy-friendly stations. Training emphasizes sources of the Big 9 allergens, as well as methods to avoid potential cross-contact with allergens. The culinary leadership team conducts monthly audits to ensure compliance with food allergy policies.
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.
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.
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.
Brandeis' CAs (community advisors) are advised at the beginning of each semester to send surveys or emails out to their residents asking for any dietary needs in advance of their program planning. RAs will provide access to safe foods whenever possible, and are encouraged to speak with their colleagues for support.
RA training on food allergies being developed for the Fall 2021 Semester.
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.
SAS handles all accommodation requests (i.e. academic, parking, medical dietary, accessible transport van). Students should contact the Department of Community Living with any housing accommodations request (https://www.brandeis.edu/dcl/accommodations/index.html)
Students can go to the SAS webiste to submit an accommodations request at this link: https://www.brandeis.edu/academic-services/accessibility/accommodations…
Students should first review the Brandeis Dining Services website to see if their needs can already be met. If this is not the case, students can submit an accommodations request form, as well as supporting medical documentation through the SAS website. Once submitted, the information is reviewed and the student will be contacted to determine if accommodations are needed. This process can take several weeks and students are encouraged to submit documentation as soon as they have committed as students.
There is a Student FAQ page (found here: https://www.brandeis.edu/academic-services/accessibility/information-st…) detailing commonly asked questions about academic accommodations and support provided by Student Accessibility Support. There is also a page for families (found here: https://www.brandeis.edu/academic-services/accessibility/families-faqs…).
12. Our disability office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests.
See what health services we offer >
The health center does have epinephrine for emergency use, treatment of anaphylaxis while awaiting EMS, however it is only available when the facility is open. Hours during the academic year are Monday-Friday: 9:00am - 6:00pm.
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.
See what our emergency response policy allows for >