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Advocating for inclusive, safe dining for
college students with food restrictions
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
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
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:
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