Accommodating Students with Allergies at BGSU: A Mixed Experience

BGSU Dining and Accessibility Services work hard to accommodate students with allergies, but students have differing opinions on the options available. While some praise the university's allergen-friendly dining station, Thrive, others find the options too limited or inconsistent. University staff emphasize the support systems and allergen-safe programs in place to keep students healthy and safe.

Key Takeaways:

• BGSU's allergen-friendly dining station, Thrive, remains a safe option for students with allergies.
• University staff work with students to create personalized dining plans involving the student, head chef, and general manager.
• BGSU Dining and Accessibility Services collaborate to provide multiple resources for students with allergies, including ingredient experts and package allergen-free items.
• Some students, like Elaina Wintringham, who has a severe nut allergy, have to be extra careful when eating on campus and rely on staff to accommodate their needs.
• Others, like Emmy Northup, who eats gluten-free, appreciate the university's attention to allergy safety and the variety of options available.
• Students with gluten allergies, like Madeline Waddell, find the options to be too limited and often rely on food from home or off-campus restaurants.
• Consistency is a major challenge for students like Elle Hammerhofer, who often finds it difficult to navigate the menu and check for allergens.

Statistics:

• According to Rechelle Bischoff, BGSU Campus Dietitian, the university has ingredient experts in every dining facility who can answer questions about ingredients and grab food labels.
• BGSU Dining and Accessibility Services collaborate with students to create personalized dining plans involving the student, head chef, and general manager.
• The university's allergen-friendly dining station, Thrive, is a popular option among students with allergies.
• BGSU continues to add packaged allergen-free items to its markets, providing more options for students with food allergies.

Sources:

• Rechelle Bischoff, BGSU Campus Dietitian, as quoted in the article.
• Elaina Wintringham, a student with a severe nut allergy, as quoted in the article.
• Emmy Northup, a student who eats gluten-free, as quoted in the article.
• Madeline Waddell, a student with a gluten allergy, as quoted in the article.
• Elle Hammerhofer, a student with a severe allergen sensitivity, as quoted in the article.
• BGSU Dining and Accessibility Services website.