Williams College
VerifiedStudents can assess ingredient information on line through NetNutrition. Dining staff can also answer questions students have about any menu items.
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.
Grab & Go, Eco Cafe. All dining halls print labels for self-serve menu items detailing the top 8 allergens and dining staff or nutritionist can answer any questions students may have.
Students may assess ingredient information and filter allergens on line through NetNutrition.
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 have specific spaces in each dining hall dedicated for allergen free meal preparation. Staff is trained on these procedures by their managers and procedures are reviewed a minimum of annually and when any new staff is hired.
3. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in made-to-order areas.
Cross-contact risk notices posted on salad bars, buffets, public toasters, microwave ovens and in other public areas susceptible to cross-contact.
4. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in self-serve areas.
Gluten-free, vegan, kosher, soy-free, and halal pre-order meals are available. Electronic forms may be found on the Dining Services website. We also have the option to prepare dedicated meals for students who have food allergies. Dining Services nutritionist reaches out to all students who have indicated they have food allergies (either through information agreed to be released from health services or by filling out an online Allergy Advisory form). We encourage all students with allergies or special dietary needs to meet individually with DS nutritionist, executive chef and assistant director of dining services so that we can address their unique needs.
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 have a Gluten Free and Vegan station at Paresky Dining hall. We also have a gluten free room with dedicated refrigerators, toasters and microwave for students with gluten allergy/Celiac disease to prepare gluten free foods. Peanuts and treenuts are not included in our menus, however, we do use products that were processed in facilities that also process nuts and those items are labeled with nut 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.
Tree Nuts vs. Peanuts, Celiac Disease & Gluten Intolerances, Top 8 Food Allergens, Reading Labels, Avoiding Cross-Contact, Fish & Shell Fish, Clean Prep Surfaces, Allergic Reactions, Emergency Protocol
Williams Dining Services holds annual all staff Training Days in August, prior to students returning to campus. The 3-day training covers topics from policies and procedures to food safety and food allergy prevention.
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.
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.
Residential Life, Health Services
Students may fill out an Disability Request Form and submit to the Director of Accessible Education. Students may also fill out a Food allergy Advisory Form and submit to the Dining Services Director, Executive Chef, and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or request accommodations using the Dining Services Meal Planning Card.
Accessibility Services has developed a special accommodation protocol for students with health-related food consumption conditions to facilitate accommodation requests.
12. Our disability office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests.
See what health services we offer >
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.
Only Health Services staff are trained to administer epinephrine. Williams College Security does not stock undedicated epinephrine or administer epinephrine. Village Ambulance Services will also administer epinephrine and provide medical transportation as needed.
14. Our campus emergency responders carry epinephrine.
See what our emergency response policy allows for >