GFF College Dining Survey Responses

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester

New York

Colleges

Survey Date:

Nov 7, 2023

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Recent Grad

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

F

Surrounding Area:

B

Rationale for Grades Given

Frequently contaminated food at "allergen friendly" station, did not strictly follow allergy protocols, reacted poorly to honest feedback, accused students of lying about getting sick from the food

Not a lot of options close to campus

Details About this Student's Food Restrictions

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

5+

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)

Extremely sensitive, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, rashes, fatigue

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

Incidents every week and the staff didn't seem to care and didn't make any changes

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

Yes. Letter from GI doc explaining Celiac and the severity

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

No

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

Start from scratch. Isolate the allergy station, train all staff on allergy protocols, stick to allergy protocols, be receptive of students needs. School was not open to suggestions.

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

A fear of getting sick every time I tried to eat on campus. I dealt with it by buying freezer meals and other groceries instead of eating on campus.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

Yes. I chose to live in an apartment my 2nd year because the school could not feed me and I needed my own kitchen.

Dining Halls:

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

Eat in the dining hall before committing to the school and talk to current students who have allergies and eat on campus. The best dining hall for allergies that I've experienced was Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Meal Plans:

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

Mandatory for 1st year and anyone in dorms

Dorms:

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

Microwavable meals and meals where you add hot water

Getting Started:

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

Create a plan with the dining hall far in advance and remind them when you will be arriving several times

GFF College Dining Survey Responses

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester

New York

Survey Date:

Nov 7, 2023

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Recent Grad

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

F

Surrounding Area:

B

Rationale for Grades Given

Details About this Student's Food Restrictions

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

5+

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)

Extremely sensitive, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, rashes, fatigue

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

Incidents every week and the staff didn't seem to care and didn't make any changes

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

Yes. Letter from GI doc explaining Celiac and the severity

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

No

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

Start from scratch. Isolate the allergy station, train all staff on allergy protocols, stick to allergy protocols, be receptive of students needs. School was not open to suggestions.

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

A fear of getting sick every time I tried to eat on campus. I dealt with it by buying freezer meals and other groceries instead of eating on campus.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

Yes. I chose to live in an apartment my 2nd year because the school could not feed me and I needed my own kitchen.

Dining Halls:

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

Eat in the dining hall before committing to the school and talk to current students who have allergies and eat on campus. The best dining hall for allergies that I've experienced was Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Meal Plans:

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

Mandatory for 1st year and anyone in dorms

Dorms:

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

Microwavable meals and meals where you add hot water

Getting Started:

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

Create a plan with the dining hall far in advance and remind them when you will be arriving several times

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Pick the location or bring your own food

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

My experiences eating on campus have increased my food anxiety and trust issues

Meal Plans: