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Advocating for inclusive, safe dining for college students with food restrictions
GFF College Dining Survey Responses
Goddard College
Plainfield
Vermont
Survey Date:
Jul 3, 2019
Survey 1 of 1
Student:
Senior
With:
Celiac Disease
Student's Summary Assessment:
College Dining:
F
Surrounding Area:
C-
Rationale for Grades Given
I have found it extremely difficult to get the accommodations I need for my Celiac Disease from Goddard College. The Plainfield campus has only one dining hall that is not prepared to handle severe food related illnesses. After explaining the important of having gluten free utensils and surfaces in the kitchen, I watched someone put wheat cookies on the supposedly gluten free table. I had to explain my condition to multiple people in the dining hall for every single meal of every day. When I ended up getting glutened on campus they did not have a nurse to help me and the disabilities office could not be reached. No one followed up with me.
The only place to get food locally is the co-op. There are no restaurants.
Details About this Student's Food Restrictions
How many years ago were you diagnosed with food allergies or celiac disease?
1-3
If you indicated celiac or gluten intolerance, how sensitive are you to gluten?
Extremely: React to even small traces
Add details to help us better understand your food restrictions (e.g. sensitivity level, potential reaction, need for EPI pen)
Completed original celiac survey which did not ask about other food allergies
Details About this Student's College Dining Experience
Does your college handle food restrictions as you expected when you decided to attend?
Not at all what I expected
Have you had a reation from eating in your dining hall?
YES
If Yes, describe each incident and how your school responded
I had been glutened multiple times during my last residency I became so ill I could not get out of bed in my dorm. I tried to reach out to the disability office and student life who did not answer for over 24 hours. It wasn't until my parents emailed the president of the school that student life noticed I had a problem. Still they were not at all equipped to help me in a medical situation.
Did you register your food restriction with the disabilities office? If yes, describe
Yes, it made very little difference in my accommodations. When I had a medical emergency on campus the disabilities office could not be reached for over 24 hours.
Are there resources to help with nutritious, safe dining (e.g. dietician)? If yes, describe
No. Supposedly the disabilities office is in charge of this but they were not helpful or even available. During my last residency the chef left campus half way through. The school has no nutritionists or support groups.
If you were in charge of dining, what would you change? Would your school be open to suggestions?
The school needs to have a staff member present at every single meal who oversees all meals for celiac students. is also important that the school strictly adheres to necessary food handling procedures for the health of their students. This includes having dedicated gluten free areas in the kitchen that are to be observed at all times, gluten free utensils, cooking surfaces, and an educated staff. I have communicated these things to the school and they have yet to make these changes.
Describe your biggest challenge managing your food restrictions at college and how you deal with it
It has felt like the biggest burden to constantly have to advocate for myself. It seems like every single day on campus I have to explain my conditions to 5 more people. It takes a lot of patience and don't be ashamed to shut down if you need to. If advocating gets to be too much, have some quiet time in your dorm before trying to confront someone else.
Advice for Incoming Students:
Housing:
Did your food restrictions impact your housing decisions? Any dorm recommendations
It is better to stay in Kilpatrick because it is on campus and not in dorm village, so if you have an issue you wouldn't have to walk down the dirt path to get to the main buildings. That being said Kilpatrick is loud at night.
Dining Halls:
Any advice for managing dining halls? Favorite dining halls? Any to avoid?
There is only one dining hall, I do not at all trust the staff to handle Celiac. It is best to avoid the situation all together and eat your own food.
Meal Plans:
Describe your meal plans over the year(s). What's mandatory? Any suggestions?
Meal plans are mandatory for students. For the two semester I have gone to the school I have eaten in the dining hall while on campus for residency.
Dorms:
Any advice for eating in the dorms? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?
It is best to go to the local co-op to stock up on snacks for your dorm.
Getting Started:
What should students do before school starts or when they first arrive?
Ask for a fridge and a microwave and travel with your own food.
Socializing:
Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?
Don't drink underage. Bring your own.
Other:
Any other advice or comments?
I am extremely disappointed with Goddard's inability to accommodate students with Celiac...I even know a few Celiac students who had to drop out of the school because they could not provide them with safe food. I only hope Goddard can create a safe environment for Celiac students so no more students go through what I have been through.
Meal Plans:
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