GFF College Dining Survey Responses

St. Mary's College of Maryland

Saint Marys City

Maryland

Colleges

Survey Date:

Dec 31, 2024

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Freshman

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

A-

Surrounding Area:

B+

Rationale for Grades Given

The food is cafeteria food so it can only be so good. Certain things I have taken a liking to more so than others. It can be annoying when certain things run out before another shipment comes in because of what the requests were that week, as I am not the only student with celiac at school. But the food is there and there are options even if I don’t always love it I can request something else be made for me.

It is lower than the school because not everyone has access to a car and everything is at least 15-20 minutes away from campus. Not all restaurants are accommodating but there are a fair number of ones that are and there is a target and walmart about 20 minutes away from 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?

Very: React to small amounts

Add details to help us better understand your food restrictions (e.g. sensitivity level, potential reaction, need for EPI pen)

It is best to not risk cross contamination or consume food items that say they are processed in a facility that produces wheat products. But, if I had to in theory have one thing that was potentially cross contaminated it most likely would not be the end of the world because there is no guarantee that is what contaminated. But on the off chance I consume a small amount of gluten for certain within 2 hours I get violently ill and if exposure is prolonged could have lasting health issues and potentially death.

Details About this Student's College Dining Experience

Does your college handle food restrictions as you expected when you decided to attend?

Mostly 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

Initially there were no set rules on how my meals were planned and who I would contact. Ok only my third day I ended accidentally exposed to gluten and consuming a significant amount without my knowledge. I then proceeded to get violently ill. Afterward I had a bit of fear of eating in the dining hall but within a week and after a meeting with the dining management and accessibility services we had a plan in place so that my meals were hand made separate from everything else and I requested meals by email ahead of time. I have a certain amount of control over what I want as well more so than typical students.

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

I had to register and answer a multitude of questions when registering with the disability office and accessibility. We had to work together to figure out what I would personally need cause every student is different. We also set up zoom meetings with the woman in charge prior to move in day to discuss but I also have another accommodation that we had to discuss so not everything was about my celiac.

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

Yes there are due to the incident at the beginning of the semester any cafeteria staff with black shirts (upper management) are there for me to contact with questions and prepare my food for me so it is not the job of one singular person. I can also reach out to the same woman in charge of disability services if I have further issues.

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

I would change the nature of accommodations. I believe there should be more questions asked concerning dining in the zoom meetings maybe even a question survey about necessities and offerings of how it could be dealt with and the severity of the sensitivity. I believe one of the main issues was that I packed my lunch every day in high school so we had no basis on how it should work for college and we needed more help/structure. They would most likely be open to suggestions, as they should learn from the mistakes they have made with me.

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

The biggest challenge was as I’ve mentioned being glutened and with the support of my roommate, my friends, and my mother I had enough confidence to speak up for my needs and try and trust that the dining staff would work harder to make sure I could eat safely.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

I could have had a single room if requested but I did not want it. I am also allowed an air fryer as approved with accommodations even though normal students are not. I believe this is the same no matter the dorm. But I like my dorm Caroline Hall.

Dining Halls:

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

There is only one dining hall. I would suggest going on the earlier end of lunch if you can and around 6 for dinner because it is less crowded.

Meal Plans:

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

The meal plan is mandatory to be at silver tier and you get unlimited meal swipes as a freshman. Other than that I can’t really give any advice.

Dorms:

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

As far as dorm life, pack lots of snacks you will need them. As someone who snacks a lot at home it is important. You won’t have access to the store all the time even with a friend with a car and the school store is limited in its stock. There are also vending machines in the dorms but they are not healthy snacks.

Getting Started:

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

Before school reach out and ask a million questions in your meetings with disability. Where will you go to pick up food, how will you request it, when should you request it, are there foods they have in stock even if not on the menu, etc. Come prepared with questions.

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Socially it is a struggle. The other place to eat on campus is open late after the dining hall closes. It’s called the pub and it on the opposite side of campus near upper classmen housing. Not everyone eats at the dining hall for every meal, but by nature I have to so it can be isolating if no one wants to go. The pub is too small to accommodate at all so if I want anything on weekends after going to a party I have to request in very far in advance before I even go out, I would have to plan for it. So, safe to say I have not done it yet. For friends, try to find people that care about you and the fact that you need to be able to eat.

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

No

Meal Plans: