Campus Resident Advisers play an extremely important role in shaping the college experience for students. From being a role model to incoming students to organizing fun activities for dorm residents, RA’s are involved in many facets of student life. Among the many responsibilities, one of the core duties that Resident Advisers are tasked with is ensuring the safety of the students on their floor. With 1 in 13 students of school age having at least one food allergy, the likelihood that a campus RA will have a student on their floor with a food allergy is very high and it is the RA’s obligation to help these students balance dorm life and life with food allergies.
Each year, campus Resident Advisers participate in multiple training to learn conflict resolution, campus services, and emergency procedures to name a few. Food allergy training is an important addition to this training schedule, and unfortunately is not something that is required in many colleges and universities – but why not?
Introducing AllerTrain RA™! AllerTrain RA™ is an educational training developed specifically for university Resident Advisers. Upon completion of this course, RA’s will be equipped with knowledge and confidence to help food allergic students make the transition to campus living safely. AllerTrain RA™ is a 15 minute, FARE endorsed training which contains basic information of food allergies and anaphylaxis, RA responsibilities for students with food allergies, considerations for dorm life and dorm events, and emergency protocol should an emergency occur in the dorms. Growing allergy awareness among RA’s will enable them to help facilitate a safe college experience and encourage students to continue to take responsibility for their health.
