GFF College Dining Survey Responses

Washington University

St. Louis

Missouri

Colleges

Survey Date:

Feb 2, 2019

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Freshman

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

A-

Surrounding Area:

B

Rationale for Grades Given

There are a lot of gluten-free options, and I can request recipes to be made. However, I have to order food well in advance, which prevents me from engaging in the social aspect of eating. There’s a grocery store with several gluten-free options if I want something quick, though. Also, they’re usually very careful about cross-contamination and other hazards, but I ordered pasta during orientation that ended up not being gluten-free, so I had to miss out on getting to know people in orientation activities.

New Day Gluten Free

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)

Completed original celiac survey which did not ask about other food allergies

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

They gave me pasta that was not totally gluten-free. I emailed them about the issue, and they responded saying that they threw out all of the pasta and would refund me for the meal. The day after that, though, one of my Celiac friends got sick after eating the pasta, so we just have to avoid it.

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

Yes, but they said everything is handled by dining services only. I just have to order through a chef or through an app.

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

I have met with chefs and nutritionists to help set up a dining system that works well for my Celiac needs.

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

I would suggest having a gluten-free closet with a toaster and other dedicated items along with easy, quick meals. They are open to this suggestion but have yet to find space for such a thing.

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

The biggest challenge is the social elements associated with eating. I often just get something from the grocery store so I can eat with friends. If I order a meal, they could be done eating by the time my food is made.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

Housing has no impact on this.

Dining Halls:

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

They all offer the same things mostly.

Meal Plans:

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

Freshmen required to be on the “silver plan,” which is designed to meet the average student’s needs

Dorms:

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

Dominos gluten-free pizza is actually really good and it’s super close by. Also, Paws&Go has Smash Mallow, which makes super good marshmallows. The best place is New Day Gluten Free though. Some items are in Paws&Go, but it’s easily accessible by bus or even walking.

Getting Started:

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

Get to know the chefs, and order through the app so you don’t haven to wait around.

GFF College Dining Survey Responses

Washington University

St. Louis

Missouri

Survey Date:

Feb 2, 2019

Survey 1 of 1

Student:

Freshman

With:

Celiac Disease

Student's Summary Assessment:

College Dining:

A-

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)

Completed original celiac survey which did not ask about other food allergies

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

They gave me pasta that was not totally gluten-free. I emailed them about the issue, and they responded saying that they threw out all of the pasta and would refund me for the meal. The day after that, though, one of my Celiac friends got sick after eating the pasta, so we just have to avoid it.

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

Yes, but they said everything is handled by dining services only. I just have to order through a chef or through an app.

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

I have met with chefs and nutritionists to help set up a dining system that works well for my Celiac needs.

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

I would suggest having a gluten-free closet with a toaster and other dedicated items along with easy, quick meals. They are open to this suggestion but have yet to find space for such a thing.

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

The biggest challenge is the social elements associated with eating. I often just get something from the grocery store so I can eat with friends. If I order a meal, they could be done eating by the time my food is made.

Advice for Incoming Students:

Housing:

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

Housing has no impact on this.

Dining Halls:

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

They all offer the same things mostly.

Meal Plans:

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

Freshmen required to be on the “silver plan,” which is designed to meet the average student’s needs

Dorms:

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

Dominos gluten-free pizza is actually really good and it’s super close by. Also, Paws&Go has Smash Mallow, which makes super good marshmallows. The best place is New Day Gluten Free though. Some items are in Paws&Go, but it’s easily accessible by bus or even walking.

Getting Started:

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

Get to know the chefs, and order through the app so you don’t haven to wait around.

Socializing:

Advice on managing parties or dinners out with friends?

Google whatever people are drinking to make sure it’s safe.

Other:

Any other advice or comments?

​

Meal Plans: