Is this college really "serving" FA students??

[CMdeux]

http://cw.ua.edu/2013/02/11/bama-dining-accomodates-students-with-allergies/

For students whose allergies include a broader range of foods, Bama Dining offers services to help avoid unwanted allergen encounters.

"The University of Alabama Dining Services is committed to accommodating the dietary needs of students," Kelsey Faust, a Bama Dining representative said. "Our residential director, Ed Robertson, regularly meets with students who identify themselves as having food allergies, gluten intolerances or special dietary needs. He reviews food allergies and preferences with students and develops individualized food plans for them."

Additionally, Bama Dining's food policies are posted at the entrance of each dining hall. Under a bold heading that reads "Food Allergy Awareness," students are notified that the food being served may have had contact with common food allergens such as wheat, eggs, milk and fish.

I get that they are trying, and that this is a level of awareness that would have been largely lacking even ten years ago...  but that disclaimer...  Oy...

So basically, "If you have a low threshold, you're eating at your own risk.  Cheers."

How is that "helpful" and "welcoming?"  How is it inclusive?  Doesn't it present a barrier in disability terms?

It's so frustrating that-- yet again-- "peanut allergy" is serious... and the rest?  Well, "you can't expect" anything better, evidently.   

[Macabre]

I'm glad a college is trying though.  At least it's on their radar.  Maybe in a few years it will be even better.  Well, it will have to be. As that curve of kids born in 97-98--the first big years it seems for food allergy--gets to colleges, they'll have to adapt.

I remember at this group's first home how we had a thread for peanut free day care/preschools that I posted in when DS was in preschool--and also schools.  Guess now we need to start a thread on allergy aware colleges. 

My, how time has flown!

[rebekahc]

I remember that, too.  Now, I'd wager it's easier to find preschool/daycares that are peanut free and/or allergy aware.  Perhaps in 12-15 years the same will be true of colleges.  What we do now really does impact future generations. 

[twinturbo]

A couple of standouts there are "self-identified" and "preferences" grouped in with food allergies.

[CMdeux]

That's my concern, too, TT:

those of us in higher ed are well aware that colleges have taken a "boutique" approach to student services in the past decade or so.  This is what "quiet dorms," other housing preference groupings, fancy "entertainment" centers, well-equipped gyms, etc. are all about.  It's been a trend in campus dining, too.

I worry that this isn't really about food allergies and understanding why it's important to get it right-- I worry that it's about being "accommodating".  Or maybe just seeming that way.

It's hard to say which is which without actually visiting and talking to a campus.

[lakeswimr]

I think they are breaking ADA.  A university in MA just got forced to accommodate FAs in dining halls so I think they could easily get sued.  (shrug)  Obviously they don't get it.  I think it is better than if they claimed that food was safe but still, what do students do there who can't eat xcontamed food?