Rider University Settles Claim With Gluten-Free Student

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Rider University has agreed to make changes to its dining options to accommodate students with food allergy-related disabilities after a former student filed a complaint claiming their Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rights were violated, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced Thursday.

The former student with Celiac disease, which is triggered by consumption of gluten, claimed the University failed to accommodate their needs.

"The U.S. Attorney’s Office determined that Rider University failed to provide reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures for students with food allergy-related disabilities and failed to adequately train its staff on appropriate policies for accommodating individuals with food allergies," Carpenito said. "Since the beginning of the investigation, Rider University has worked cooperatively to develop and amend its policies and practices to comply with the ADA."

As part of the settlement agreement Rider University is required to:

• Adopt policies for accommodating students with food allergy-related disabilities instead of relying on the limited policies of a food service vendor,
• Make certain structural changes to food service areas to provide allergen-free food preparation areas in its dining facilities,
• Employ a full-time dietician to advise the University and its students on ways to address food allergy-related disability issues,
• And create a "pre-order" option for students with food allergies.

"We commend Rider University on working to ensure that its students with severe food allergies have options that meet their needs," Carpenito said. "This agreement will improve the experience of students with food allergy-related disabilities and help them to focus on getting an education."

A spokeswoman with Rider University, Kristine Brown, noted that the school has taken even further steps to improve their overall dining experience including opening a new food-preparation station that excludes ingredients that cause major food allergies.

Located in the dining hall, the station serves food free of the eight major food allergens – peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs, wheat and soy. The food provided is also gluten-free. This kitchen was built to meet the needs of students with allergies and to improve their student experience, Brown said.

"We will continue to explore ways to provide the healthiest and safest food options for all Rider University students," Brown said.

Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may file a complaint with the U.S Attorney’s Office at justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint or call the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Complaint Hotline at 855-281-3339.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at ada.gov, or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at 800-514-0301 and 800-514-0383 (TDD).

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