GFF College Dining Survey Responses

Ursinus College

Collegeville

Pennsylvania

Colleges

Survey Date:

Mar 20, 2025

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Senior

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

B-

Surrounding Area:

A-

Rationale for Grades Given

There are usually options, but they are very repetitive and there is usually only one. The other options have allergen labels, but there is little regard for cross contamination.

There are some safe options, but Collegeville is fairly isolated and there are not a lot of restaurants around. I use Find Me Gluten Free to find safe options.

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)

I get digestive symptoms and brain fog when cross contaminated with gluten or oats. I have not been fully exposed in many years.

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 did not report it to my school, because I had already lost confidence by that point.

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

I did. The disability office did not seem to understand what celiac was despite my attempt to educate them, so they offered me a single room and extra time on tests. I have a single since dorm living is required.

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

There is a dietician, I met with her several times, but it was ultimately not very helpful.

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

I would educate the staff on cross contamination so that things like eggs could be cooked safely and they could safely prepare naturally gluten free foods.

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

The biggest challenge is that sometimes the one safe station runs out of food before the dining hall closes and then I can't eat dinner safely.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

Dorm living is required all 4 years and none of the dorm options have good kitchens.

Dining Halls:

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

The dining hall has two sections, upper and lower. Lower is not safe at all, upper has simple servings which is free of all major allergens. They still use oat milk sometimes, so I still ask when it is unclear. Simple servings doesn't open until 11am, so I am on my own for breakfast.

Meal Plans:

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

Meal plans are required, I got a reduced meal plan the last two years through disability.

Dorms:

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

I keep lots of snacks in my fridge! There is a wegmans open until midnight close by, so I go there for most of my groceries.

Getting Started:

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

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Parties don't usually have food. When I go out to dinner I am usually involved in choosing the restaurant so I can pick one I know is safe.

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

Meal Plans:

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GFF College Dining Survey Responses

Ursinus College

Collegeville

Pennsylvania

Survey Date:

Mar 20, 2025

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Senior

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

B-

Surrounding Area:

A-

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)

I get digestive symptoms and brain fog when cross contaminated with gluten or oats. I have not been fully exposed in many years.

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 did not report it to my school, because I had already lost confidence by that point.

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

I did. The disability office did not seem to understand what celiac was despite my attempt to educate them, so they offered me a single room and extra time on tests. I have a single since dorm living is required.

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

There is a dietician, I met with her several times, but it was ultimately not very helpful.

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

I would educate the staff on cross contamination so that things like eggs could be cooked safely and they could safely prepare naturally gluten free foods.

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

The biggest challenge is that sometimes the one safe station runs out of food before the dining hall closes and then I can't eat dinner safely.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

Dorm living is required all 4 years and none of the dorm options have good kitchens.

Dining Halls:

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

The dining hall has two sections, upper and lower. Lower is not safe at all, upper has simple servings which is free of all major allergens. They still use oat milk sometimes, so I still ask when it is unclear. Simple servings doesn't open until 11am, so I am on my own for breakfast.

Meal Plans:

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

Meal plans are required, I got a reduced meal plan the last two years through disability.

Dorms:

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

I keep lots of snacks in my fridge! There is a wegmans open until midnight close by, so I go there for most of my groceries.

Getting Started:

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

​

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Parties don't usually have food. When I go out to dinner I am usually involved in choosing the restaurant so I can pick one I know is safe.

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

​

Meal Plans: