Student Advisory Panel

Student Advisory Panel

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The Student Advisory Panel (SAP) organizes and facilitates opportunities for students to advocate for their peers and serve as their voice to the senior leaders within GW Dining. They work hard to gather student opinions and ideas for future advancements and initiatives, teaming up directly with members of GW Dining to bring these dreams to fruition. Anyone interested is encouraged to join the monthly meetings when available.

Our Mission Statement

The Student Advisory Panel collaborates closely with GW Dining Services to drive meaningful change and create the ideal dining experience for all students. Our intent is to give students an active voice in growing GW Dining to fit the needs of an ever-changing student population. We are committed to promoting food safety and sustainable practices that benefit both our community and the environment. Together with GW Dining, we strive to foster a healthy, sustainable, and dynamic dining environment that reflects the values and aspirations of our student body.

Our Inclusivity Statement

GW Dining is committed to dining inclusivity. The Student Advisory Panel maintains this commitment through meaningful discourse and action. This includes planning with students with disabilities in mind and careful attention to dining options that accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. Our goal is to make dining accessible to the GW community as we navigate an ever-changing student population. We strive to provide appetizing and safe food choices to our community, regardless of religion, disability or dietary restrictions.

Meetings

The Student Advisory Panel offers a Town Hall Meeting once per month. All students are welcome to attend and participate in the meeting's feedback and input discussion to voice concerns and opinions regarding GW Dining.

Location

District House B206 Meeting Room

Fall 2025 Town Hall Meeting Dates

• Friday, September 19; 12 - 1 pm
• Friday, October 17; 12 - 1 pm
• Friday, November 21; 12 - 1 pm

Previous Initiatives

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OZZI Reusable Containers

As an initiative spearheaded by the GW Dining Student Advisory Panel, we are revamping our to-go box program to feature reusable OZZI containers at all three of our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, in addition to the fully compostable containers that are already being used at all retail locations.

Students will be able to pick up these reusable containers from the dining hall of their choice, pay a $5 deposit, and simply fill the container with food. Then when they are finished, they can bring the container back to the designated collection machines at each dining hall and get the $5 charge refunded back to their card.

Market Basket Studies

Advisory Panel members volunteered their time to acquire identical baskets from an on-campus market and a Foggy Bottom business of their choice. They then compared the prices for each item in their basket to assess the market value of GW Dining product offerings and presented their findings to the Student Advisory Panel.

Plate Waste Tracking

GW Dining organized a research study of plate waste in the all-you-can-eat dining halls during the Fall 2023 semester. We then hosted a digital art competition to promote awareness of plate waste in the dining halls. To enter, student artists were tasked with creating an engaging design that showcased the sustainability data collected during the research study. The winning artwork was then selected by our Student Advisory Panel members and made into posters and digital displays that can be found in all on-campus dining spaces.

Panel Executive Board Members

The GW Dining Student Advisory Panel Executive Board is a dynamic group of student leaders selected by GW Dining's leadership team to drive meaningful initiatives within the department and across campus. These board members serve as the primary voice of the student body, working closely with senior administrators to shape dining services, advocate for student needs, and foster a vibrant campus community.

Feel free to reach out to any of our Panel Executive Board Members with questions or feedback.

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Henry Scriven-Young

Henry is a fourth-year student studying Political Communication and minoring in Chinese. This is his second year as a member of the Panel. As a member, he is focusing on sustainability and gathering student feedback from all across campus. Henry was also part of the Fall ‘23 Compost Study, in which he volunteered at Shenkman Dining Hall collecting and measuring compostable food waste. Henry believes that food brings communities together in ways that words and events simply cannot. As a foodie, Henry is looking forward to aiding GW Dining as they work to bring great food to the students of GW.

henrysygwu [dot] edu

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Lilly Shaw

Lilly is a third-year student studying Health Data Science with a Music minor. Lilly believes that everyone deserves to have a safe and enjoyable dining experience. She is passionate about increasing accessibility on campus and represents Chronic Health Advocates on the Student Advisory Panel. Understanding the obstacles students with chronic health conditions or disabilities can face around food sensitivities, allergies, and restrictions, she aspires to make the GW Dining experience more accessible. 

lillyshaw45gwu [dot] edu

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Vidya Shah

Vidya is a third-year student majoring in Economics with minors in Sustainability and Computer Science. She is originally from Buffalo, NY, and is very passionate about reducing food waste and increasing sustainability within GW Dining; while simultaneously advocating for student concerns. She is also an Eco-Reps intern with the Office of Sustainability and coordinates student programming focused on promoting sustainable living on campus. Some of her personal hobbies include archery, swimming, photography, finding good eats in DC, and dancing as a member of GW Bhangra.

vidya [dot] shahgwu [dot] edu