Carlin Hanley

Allergy-Friendly American University Guide

I think the allergy support at American University is great. Not only is the dining hall nut-free, but the other dining options on campus (not including the coffee shops—The Dav, The Bidge, and Starbucks) are also completely nut-free! The support for food allergies is great on campus and I feel comfortable with the Student Health Center, disability services, and dining services if I have any issues or concerns. The people here are understanding and there is nothing more reassuring than that I do not have to ask about nuts every single time I eat! They have sunflower butter as an option in the dining hall and some prepackaged sandwiches in the campus stores if that’s your jam! (no pun intended!) I’m happy here and have found some amazing people who are conscious of and thoughtful about my allergies.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Allergy-Friendly Boston University Campus Guide

Each semester at Boston University, the nutrition center met with each student with dietary restrictions to figure out meal plans and safe options. A separate dedicated pantry in each dining hall is available to anyone with allergies.

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Allergy-Friendly DePaul University Campus Guide

I am a current student at DePaul University and even though I have never eaten in the food hall, DePaul is very considerate when it comes to food safety. At all events they have clear signage on each ingredient. DePaul does a great job with being accommodating to any restriction or allergy. Don’t hesitate to ask someone! They have been a fantastic fit for me, socially, academically, and with everything from A to Z. DePaul does not have a student health insurance plan, which is disappointing.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Allergy-Friendly Duke University Campus Guide

Duke is an almost completely nut free campus with everything labeled very clearly. Any questions can be directed to specifically designated people wearing hats that are trained to answer any questions about allergies. Staff will also change gloves for anyone with allergies.

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Allergy-Friendly Elon University Guide

As freshman at Elon University, my mom and I went through extensive research on which school would be the best to accommodate my allergies. After many meetings with the chefs and nutritionists at Elon, we figured out a plan to keep me safe. Then during the first day of orientation, the day after my mom left me at school, I had an allergic reaction. Following this reaction, the school put in place a plan for me that I would only get my meals from 3 chefs that I had a group chat with. I requested what I wanted, whenever I wanted. This was not something normal Elon does for students, but after they nearly killed me, that’s what they saw as best fit.

The next school year, there was a completely vegan cafe in one of the dining halls. Whenever I ate there, I always had to make sure all the stuff was prepped in its own space. I did not have a reaction once! Now that I am a junior, I don’t have a meal plan but ironically, they got rid of the completely vegan cafe. They do, however, have a top allergen free cafe in one of the dining halls. In my past years, the chefs advised me not to eat there because of possible cross contamination. This year whenever I go with my friends, I either make sure it was prepped individually, or ask them if they can go prep me something individually in a safe dairy-free zone.

Location: Elon, North Carolina

Allergy-Friendly George Mason University Guide

I’ve had an amazing experience with George Mason University's dining staff! Upon first entering as a freshman, there were no options for me that were made safely in separate areas without my allergens, so every week the dietician would create a menu based off of my preferences & email me the menu. Each day and each meal, I would go into the dining hall, talk to the designated person and they would remove my meal that was wrapped in plastic wrap safely from the heater. It was always prepared safely for me in a separate area without my allergens. They went as far as providing me with their cell numbers to text them the times I was coming to eat so my food wouldn’t be cold. I was able to safely dine in the dining hall with all the other students for the first 2 years of college, then my junior year, they created a station called simple servings. Simple servings serves top 8 allergy free food items daily, 3x a day in a dedicated allergy free section/ station. I was able to help with the development of that safe section! They have their own simple serving specific pans, pots, utensils, and ingredients. They also have allergen free baked goods, sunbutter, rice milks, etc. They also do not allow students to get food at that station themselves, it is not self serve, all of the staff is aller trained, and food is given to students on a new plate every single time to eliminate cross contamination. I am so grateful for their attention and help with my allergies. I’ve never had a better experience at any other college Update on Aug 2023: I graduated 2 years ago but I went back on campus to serve as an assistant director for my professor’s STEM camp. I had to eat in the dining hall during the week and the staff was amazing at Ike’s! I had never really dined at Ike’s as a student - Southside always supported my allergies but they were just as amazing at Ike’s. Brooke T, the dietician, Deniz and Tytianna, the managers, Chef Sharmaine, Chef Jose, and Ms Gladis were all so kind and amazing as was everyone in the dining hall. They made sure I was safe and had enough to eat!

Location: Fairfax, Virginia

Allergy-Friendly Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) Campus Guide

I am a 4th year Digital Marketing student at FIDM. In my experience, the school is okay with allergies. They give accommodations that they are legally required, but nothing more. I've had to fight for safe housing and classroom experiences. If you plan to attend the school, I highly suggest getting 504 accommodations because that is the only way your requests will be honored.

Location: Los Angeles, California

Allergy-Friendly Howard University Campus Guide

After finishing my freshman year at Howard University, I am hopeful that moving forward I will have a more positive dining experience as an upperclassman. I witnessed a lot of cross contamination issues and had difficulty communicating with staff members about my needs. While I was able to work with a dietitian to make contact with the head chef in our main cafeteria, there were often times when entrees would be missing allergen warnings from nutritional labels, or they were not labeled at all. I hope that moving forward there will be change.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Allergy-Friendly Lawrence University Campus Guide

Lawrence University's dining service staff are all very friendly and willing to work with students on their dietary restrictions and needs! I’ve met with the staff a couple of times and was able to work out the possibility of getting a safe bread for me to make sandwiches in the dining hall! There is a SimplyOasis station free of the top allergens, as well as a gluten-free fridge section that also includes some nut-free/allergy-friendly Enjoy Life products! Their kitchen staff even goes through the FARECheck training.

Location: Appleton, Wisconsin