Vanderbilt WOWS

If you are in high school and thinking about college, you have probably heard of Vanderbilt. This prestigious university is located in Nashville, Tennessee and it is known for its beautiful campus and impressive students and programs.

In April, my family and I went to visit Vanderbilt. Like many others, I fell in love with the campus, the music scene, and their “dare to grow” motto that could be seen all around the campus. But what really captured my heart was a small sign on a door. The sign was simple and said “Allergy Notice - This location may contain peanuts and/or tree nuts”. As a high school student with incredibly severe tree nut allergies, I am so grateful that Vanderbilt is taking steps to make kids with allergies feel safer. The sign at Vanderbilt gave me hope that I might be able to have a safe and normal college experience, which I never thought could be possible.

Those who don’t suffer from severe food allergies might be surprised to know that 11% of the population suffers from food allergies. According to Helio.com, more than 28% of college students with allergies have reported having a reaction to food at a college dining hall. Many allergy students feel that their college is not prepared to support their allergies. This makes sense since nearly 83% of students with food allergies attend social events but don’t eat. I know that’s usually true for me. Because of this, food allergies can create feelings of social discomfort and loneliness. So, Vanderbilt’s allergy awareness is a big deal.

As I researched Vanderbilt more, I became even more impressed. According to their website, Vanderbilt is aware that 8% of college students have a severe food allergy, and they are committed to providing safe dining options for all their students. Vanderbilt’s 2301 Dining Spot is a popular and certified “free from” dining hall. This means all served food is free from the top nine allergens. Additionally, Vanderbilt is the first school in the country to offer peanut and tree nut free food in all their dining halls! Vanderbilt's 2301 dining spot will be opening in E. Bronson Ingram Dining Hall according to Vanderbilt's website under What's New For Fall 2024.

As someone with severe allergies, thank you Vanderbilt for all you are doing to raise the bar and "grow" awareness for students with allergies.