Celiac College Student Survey submitted April, 2019
Food Service Vendor
State of PA
What stage are you in college?
Sophomore
Please describe your meal plan for each year there so far. Include if your school required any of these decisions. If you are eating in a greek house or other club type arrangement include that as well.
Freshman year I had a 12 meal, meal plan that was required from the school because I lived on campus. They did offer gluten free option but none where celiac friendly and made me sick. Sophomore year I moved off campus and did not have a meal plan due too the bad experience from last year. I have my own cookware and am enjoying school.
How many years ago were you diagnosed with celiac?
1-3
How sensitive to gluten are you?
Extremely: React to even small traces
How would you describe the worst reaction you have had since diagnosis?
Hospitalized
Does your college handle celiac food restrictions as you expected they would when you selected your school?
Mostly not what I expected
Grade your college on feeding celiac students
F
Explain your rationale for that grade
I would head to the dining hall and go straight to the gluten free options and id tell the worker that i had celiacs disease and she wouldn't do anything about it. She would use the same shared equipment after i would politely ask her to switch gloves and other utensils. NOTHING changed. I would go to the gluten free stir fry and the workers would "use" the gf soy sauce and get my sick because of them not wanting to go to the back to get the bottle.
Check all that apply
My school is medium sized and has a fair amount of dining halls, Ability to feed me varies greatly across dining halls, I avoid certain dining halls that I don't think are safe, I am only comfortable eating in a few dining halls, I can't find any good options in the dining halls at all, I assumed they could feed me and didn't think about it before I arrived, I asked alot of questions before I came but the reality was different
Did you register with your students disabilities office for accommodations? If yes, describe.
No I was told I'd be ok
Are there resources (nutritionists, chefs, peer support groups) to help ensure you are receiving safe nutritious food? Describe
Nutritionists. Although its nice to have her, she doesn't understand what celiacs it. She'd tell me to order on the school's online food website and everything will be gluten free i tried it for a week and i got sick everyday.
How many times have you been glutenized in your dining hall?
More than 3
Describe your biggest celiac challenge at college and how you manage it
Parties. I had to learn which alcohols to drink and how to become a bartender that way my friends didn't get me sick
If you were in charge of your school's dining, what changes would you implement to better feed celiac students? Would your school be open to these suggestions?
I would implement a dedicated gluten free workspace like most restaurants have accommodated for recently and more gluten free options. The school might be up to it.
Did celiac impact your housing decision? How? Is there a certain dorm you recommend for celiacs? Why?
No, almost all housing is the same.
Your advice to new celiac kids for managing the dining halls? Favorite dining hall(s)?
Try to get your own pots and pans and cook in the kitchens in dauphin.
Your advice to new celiac kids for eating in the dorm? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?
Buy a lock chest for your snacks that way they don't become cross contaminated. Glutino oreos have been a constant go to for me. Fritos (except BBQ and chili). The bullfrog brewery has good GF food and its a short drive away.
Your advice to new celiac kids on preparing before they come? Or doing upon first arrival?
Be prepared to cook for yourself and register with the disability. Also talk to your roommates about your disease
Your advice to new celiac kids on managing keg parties and alcohol scene?
Stick to what you bought and dont drink other peoples mixes. beer is disgusting anyway.
Grade your college town area for celiac friendliness
B+
Favorite places to eat in town or foodshop?
Jersey mikes, Bullfrog brewery, 5 guys.
Anything else you would like to add?
Find what makes you happy people