Columbia University

Verified
Dining Services
Made-to-order items
Made-to-order items
[Yes, for all stations]
How are ingredients available?
Table: Ingredient Info Availability
Top 9 allergens, online database
[Yes]
Full ingredients, online database
[No]
Top 9 allergens, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, a list is posted in the dining hall
[No]
Top 9 allergens, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
 
Top 9 Allergens
Full Ingredients
Specific areas

While ingredient information is not posted on our website or listed in the dining halls, students can email the Registered Dietitian for specific ingredient information.

Additional Information

Complete ingredient information is available on request in the dining halls. Menu items are labeled on-site in dining locations for Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Halal, and top 9 allergens.

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.
Self-Serve Items
Self-Serve Items
[Yes, for all stations]
How are ingredients available?
Table: Ingredient Info Availability
Top 9 allergens, online database
[Yes]
Full ingredients, online database
[No]
Top 9 allergens, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, a list is posted in the dining hall
[No]
Top 9 allergens, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
 
Top 9 Allergens
Full Ingredients
Specific areas

While ingredient information is not posted on our website or listed in the dining halls, students can email the Registered Dietitian for specific ingredient information.

Additional Information

Complete ingredient information is available on request in the dining halls. Menu items are labeled on-site in dining locations for Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Halal, and top 9 allergens.

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.
Made-To-Order Areas
Made-to-order areas
[Yes, in all stations]
Additional information

Students can request that our staff change gloves, use a new pan, and clean utensils when placing an order at made-to-order stations.

3. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in made-to-order areas.
Self-Serve Areas
Self-Serve Areas
[Yes, in all areas]
Additional Information

Staff monitor self-serve areas to ensure that each menu item in self-serve areas has its own utensil. Students can also ask staff or a manager to serve from a fresh pan.

4. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in self-serve areas.
Pre-Order Meals
Do students have access to pre-order meals free from their allergens?
[Yes]
Additional information

Columbia has a Custom Meals Program where students can pre-order allergen-friendly meals. To gain access to this program, students can reach out to the dining team and our dietitian. We will review how best to accommodate a student's food allergies. Once students have access to the Custom Meals Program, students have an app that will allow them to order ahead. A designated Custom Meals Chef will prepare requested foods, and send a complete ingredient list of products used back to the student to confirm safety.

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.
Allergy-Friendly Station
Do students have access to an allergy-friendly station(s) that is free from specific allergens?
[Yes]
Additional Information

We do not have a station that eliminates use of all top 9 major allergens. However, John Jay Dining Hall has a Gluten Free station, a Vegan Station, and a Halal Station.

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.
Dining Services Staff Member Trained?
Dining services staff trained?
[Yes, all staff]
How often?
At least once a year
Which course(s) are used?
AllerTrain courses by MenuTrinfo
We developed our own food allergy training.
What topics are covered?

Every August, a Dining orientation is held for all associates, in which an extensive training on food allergies (what they are, side effects and symptoms, the major allergens, gluten free diets, egg and dairy allergies, vegetarian versus vegan diets, and our food allergy identification key) is administered by the Registered Dietitian.

Additional information

All employees complete allergen training at onboarding. Chefs, managers, and culinarians cooking custom meals must complete the highest level AllerTrain course. The training must be completed every three years. In addition, at orientation each year, our dietitian will review food allergy management procedures with all staff.

7. We train dining services staff members.
Registered Dietitian on Staff?
Do you have a registered dietitian on staff?
[Yes]
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.
Campus Life & Disabilities
RAs Trained
RA’s trained
[No]
9. We train our RA's.
Inclusive Residence Life Programs Including Food
Inclusive residence life programs involving food?
[Not answered]
10. We have inclusive residence life programs* including food. *Inclusive residence life programs - Programs in the resident halls often include food. Inclusive residence life programs will offer students with food allergies the opportunity to request safe food alternatives for events they attend in the dorms.
Accommodations for Roommate Assignments
ROLLUP - Accommodations for roommate assignments
 
How does the school provide accommodations?
Trying to match students with food allergies for room assignments upon request
Facilitating roommate agreements involving food allergies upon request
Working with students to change roommate assignments if it becomes necessary
Does the housing office process requests?
Yes
Where can students get more information?
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.
Disability Services Office Processes Food Allergy and Celiac Disease Accommodation Requests
Disability services office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests
[Yes]
Other departments a student should contact?

Columbia Dining

How can students submit an accommodations request?

Registering with Disability Services includes submission of both the Disability Services Registration Form and disability documentation. After review of a student's documentation and registration form, Disability Services will coordinate services and accommodations based on eligibility.

12. Our disability office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests.
Health Services
What health services are offered?
Prescriptions for epinephrine
Seasonal allergy shots
See what health services we offer >
Emergency Response
Stock, Undesignated Epinephrine Available for Emergency Response
Stock, undesignated epinephrine for emergencies
[No]
Where?
Healthcare facilities
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.
Campus Emergency Responders Carry Epinephrine
Campus emergency responders carry epinephrine
[Yes]
Who are the emergency responders?
On-campus emergency responders
Local hospital
14. Our campus emergency responders carry epinephrine.
Emergency Response Policy
What does the policy allow for?
On-campus emergency responders carry epinephrine for use in an emergency
See what our emergency response policy allows for >
Contact Info
Dining Services Staff Contact
Disability Staff Contact
Columbia University Disability Services
212-854-2284
Last Updated on:
College profiles containing a purple checkmark under the university name are verified college users. All other profiles have been generated through publicly available information from college websites. Accommodations may be available that are not listed here.