Although George Mason University has come a long way to improve the overall dining experience, I believe it can be made better. For the health conscious and those following a strict diet like those with Celiac disease or wheat/gluten sensitive, it is extremely difficult to eat on campus with friends.

South Side, infamous for its plethora of options, does have some vegetarian and vegan dishes, but those with food allergies to wheat, gluten, soy, nuts, and the like are stuck at the fruit and salad bar. By personal experience, I paid nine dollars to eat a small salad with beans, some fruit, and two cups of coffee.

For the most part, this petition will encourage Sodexo, the food provider for the University, to at least have labels placed where it is accessible to be read by everyone. Hopefully, healthier alternative options will be the norm, and artificial flavorings, high fructose corn syrup, and unnecessary additives will be a thing of the past.

Please consider these alternative options as a way of making the dining experience at George Mason University better than it already is.