Today: Mar 28, 2024

Changes coming to gluten-free station

Victoria Bresnahan News Editor

Paige Tetro, Student Government Association (SGA) representative-at- large and member of the Food Service Association Committee (FSAC), said the gluten-free section in Connecticut Hall is running out of food too quickly.

Aidan Coleman, SGA representative-at-large and member of FSAC, said residence life staff who were eating at Connecticut Hall noticed several students going in and out of the section, that proportionally were allegedly not gluten-free.

“Too many people were going in to have the need,” said Coleman. “It was somehow communicated between them and Chartwells staff that maybe some measures could be taken so that only people who are gluten-free have access to it.”

Tetro said the committee is working on possible solutions to prevent students who do not have a gluten or lactose allergy from taking the food.

“We are trying to find a resolution where we can kind of decrease the amount of people going in and out,” said Tetro.

“Especially if you don’t have a gluten allergy. Just to make sure that the people that do need it are getting the accommodations that they need.” The station—located at the top of the stairs near the center hot food section—includes a refrigerator and cabinets that store different gluten- free and lactose-free food options.

Tetro said there are a small number of registered gluten-free students, and the amount of food in the station is intended only to accommodate them.

“It looks like people are just taking a lot on the Monday or Tuesday and not saving any for the end of the week,” said Tetro. “We are also suspecting that these people don’t have these allergies. They are just getting some food and going.”

The committee is considering installing a door with scanners to read proxy card magnetic strips, or a code access mechanism, to resolve this issue, said Coleman. Cameras may be installed, as well, inside the section.

Tetro said the SGA wants to be involved in how much the committee spends on any security update, since they have an input on how any money is spent.

According to Tetro, Chartwells committee members did not provide a number yet, but they said it could be “pricey.” Tetro said she would like to wager other ideas, and not spend the money on a camera system.

Coleman said he made sure a student sits on the committee if any student funds are potentially used. Since Connecticut Hall is a Residence Life building, the funds would be allocated from Chartwells or Resident Life.

Jeff Kwolek, resident district manager, said a price has not yet be set for either the door or cameras. However, he said Chartwells will be putting the doors in.

The door’s windows will be somewhat frosted for privacy, but would also help make sure only students with access are allowed in there. Students with applicable allergies or insensitivities would have to self-identify with the health department to get access to the gluten- free station, Kwolek said.

The cameras, he said, would be used to investigate any students who entered the station without appropriate permissions to use it.

Tetro said a sign-in booklet facilitated by a southern staff member outside the section is also being considered as a proposed security update.

“I think we definitely need to be trusting in the students, so I think that a camera system is kind of like elementary type of,” said Tetro. “I really hope that there is a system where we can have a sign-in. We can have a staff member.”

Photo Credit: Victoria Bresnahan

 

 

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