Celiac College Student Survey completed February, 2019
Food Service Vendor?
Sodexo
What stage are you in college?
Sophomore
Please describe your meal plan for each year there so far.
Unlimited swipes with some campus dining dollars, required to be on meal plan first two years
How many years ago were you diagnosed with celiac?
5+
How sensitive to gluten are you?
Very: React to small amounts
How would you describe the worst reaction you have had since diagnosis?
Moderate
Does your college handle celiac food restrictions as you expected they would when you selected your school?
Mostly what I expected
Grade your college on feeding celiac students
B+
Explain your rationale for that grade
They have a station dedicated to be free of top allergens and have a fridge with gf bread, muffins, doughnuts, dressings, and tortillas. All food in dining hall is labeled with allergens. However the workers sometimes don't take precautions against cross contamination and they sometimes forget to restock fridge. We also have dedicated gf toaster and microwave.
Check all that apply
My school is small and has only a few 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 have great options at some of the dining halls, Ability to eat well was a critical part of my college selection process
Did you register with your students disabilities office for accommodations? If yes, describe.
Yes to get second mini fridge and microwave in dorm room
Are there resources (nutritionists, chefs, peer support groups) to help ensure you are receiving safe nutritious food? Describe
Chefs and nutritionist team.
How many times have you been glutenized in your dining hall? If you didn't answer NONE, please explain what happened and how school responded.
NONE
Describe your biggest celiac challenge at college and how you manage it
Social situations can be awkward. At the dining hall it is fine, but trying to find something safe when I go out to eat can be a challenge. I manage it by being a strong self advocate. If people get weird about me needing to eat safe foods then they aren't friends worth having.
If you were in charge of dining, what changes would you implement to better feed celiac students? Would your school be open to these suggestions?
Add a dedicated oven for some gf pizzas. I suggested this for the new dining hall.
Did celiac impact your housing decision? How? Is there a certain dorm you recommend for celiacs? Why?
A dorm with a kitchen (even if it is just a floor kitchen) can be nice so that you can make some safe sweets
Your advice to new celiac kids for managing the dining halls? Favorite dining hall(s)?
Email the dietician ahead of time!
Your advice to new celiac kids for eating in the dorm? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?Whole Foods prime now groceries, Wellabys, smartfood popcorn, hummus, and glutino pretzels
Your advice to new celiac kids on preparing before they come? Or doing upon first arrival?
Explain to your roommate! Meet with chefs in person even if you have emailed a lot so you both can put a face to the name.
Your advice to new celiac kids on managing keg parties and alcohol scene?
Don't compromise your health for peer pressure
Grade your college town area for celiac friendliness
B+
Favorite places to eat in town or foodshop?
Mark Twain's Pizza!!!! Superior Grill
Anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for doing this! It warms my heart