Celiac College Student Survey completed October 2019
Food Service Vendor
None
What stage are you in college?
Senior
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.
Never had one
How many years ago were you diagnosed with celiac?
5+
How sensitive to gluten are you?
Extremely: React to even small traces
How would you describe the worst reaction you have had since diagnosis?
Bad
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
C
Explain your rationale for that grade
If you have celiac you just can't get a meal plan. There's no accommodations available.
Check all that apply
My school is medium sized and has a fair amount of dining halls, I can't find any good options in the dining halls at all
Did you register with your students disabilities office for accommodations? If yes, describe.
Yes, I had to for marching band because otherwise I would go hungry on trips. It didn't help much.
Are there resources (nutritionists, chefs, peer support groups) to help ensure you are receiving safe nutritious food? Describe
Not sure
How many times have you been glutenized in your dining hall?
NONE
Describe your biggest celiac challenge at college and how you manage it
Traveling with the marching band. Sometimes they had accommodations but didn't keep track if the right people got them so I wouldnt get any food a lot. I ended up always bringing my own food. I was also in a sorority for a year and had to fight hard to have the meal plan taken out of my dues.
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?
Have a separate gluten free section with it's own little kitchen. USF had that when I visited a friend and I felt very comfortable eating there.
Did celiac impact your housing decision? How? Is there a certain dorm you recommend for celiacs? Why?
No, I lived in a traditional style dorm with no meal plan. I had a larger than normal mini fridge with a good sized freezer, and just got really good/creative with microwave meals
Your advice to new celiac kids for managing the dining halls? Favorite dining hall(s)?
N/A, never ate in them
Your advice to new celiac kids for eating in the dorm? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?
I mostly ate sandwiches and salads. Try to always have fresh fruit and granola bars too.
Your advice to new celiac kids on preparing before they come? Or doing upon first arrival?
Get a good sized mini fridge with a freezer section
Your advice to new celiac kids on managing keg parties and alcohol scene?
More alcohol has gluten in it than you think, bring your own or just be DD
Grade your college town area for celiac friendliness
A-
Favorite places to eat in town or foodshop?
Bolay, BJs
Anything else you would like to add?
N/A