GFF College Dining Survey Responses

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Troy

New York

Colleges

Survey Date:

Jun 17, 2022

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Sophomore

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

C

Surrounding Area:

B+

Rationale for Grades Given

Often no hot foods available for GF. Top 8 allergy station is very bland. Salad bar is cross contaminated. Frozen food usually available but gets repetitive

Lots of gf options just expensive

Details About this Student's Food Restrictions

How many years ago were you diagnosed with food allergies or celiac disease?

Less than 1

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)

Celiac only

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

School didn't do anything about cross contamination. Had food poisoning from frozen gf food they took it out for 2 months then brought it back ss

Did you register your food restriction with the disabilities office? If yes, describe

Yes but not helpful

Are there resources to help with nutritious, safe dining (e.g. dietician)? If yes, describe

Nutritionist but she's not very helpful or thorough in how she stocks allergy room not even proper utensils and pots to cook food there a6no directions on induction burner

If you were in charge of dining, what would you change? Would your school be open to suggestions?

Good food safety measures, separate salad bar for allergies, more tasty and hot options

Describe your biggest challenge managing your food restrictions at college and how you deal with it

Cross contamination and lack of options. Limited dining hall. Revamp allergy area

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

Did your food restrictions impact your housing decisions? Any dorm recommendations

Yes need dorm with kitchen

Dining Halls:

Any advice for managing dining halls? Favorite dining halls? Any to avoid?

Blitman will make gf food to order if I have time and even change fryer oil for me. It's difficult and I have often just gone hungry

Meal Plans:

Describe your meal plans over the year(s). What's mandatory? Any suggestions?

Mandatory unlimited freshman meal plan. Sophomore 12 meal plan required. Very expensive for food I can't eat

Dorms:

Any advice for eating in the dorms? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?

Delivery not easy as different non gf menu for Uber eats and mealeo. Chipotle is reliable

Getting Started:

What should students do before school starts or when they first arrive?

Get to know chefs and food service workers they're better than dietician

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

BYOB

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

I didn't know I was celiac until a month before college started so I didn't filter choice but food options

Meal Plans: