Celiac College Student Survey submitted June, 2019

Food Service Vendor

Aramark

What stage are you in college?

Junior

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 - unlimited plan (required); Sophomore - 14 meals per week (required); Upcoming Junior - 10 meals per week (not required)

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?

Really 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

D

Explain your rationale for that grade

The main dining hall only has a "Gluten Sensitive" section, and can never guarantee a completely gluten free environment.

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 have great options at some of the dining halls

Did you register with your students disabilities office for accommodations? If yes, describe.

Yes, I have a 504 plan with the disability center which says they have to accommodate for me.

Are there resources (nutritionists, chefs, peer support groups) to help ensure you are receiving safe nutritious food? Describe

There is a nutritionist that visits campus once a week, that we have to pay for. The dining services department is very hard to reach and does not answer to complaints.

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

I either have to risk it in the dining hall or purchase food from grocery stores. Freshman and sophomore year I did not have a clean kitchen to cook in, so I was eating lots of frozen foods. This upcoming year I will have a kitchen where I can cook in, but my school is horrible with anything related to dietary restrictions/allergies, and I would like to be able to use the dining hall at some point.

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 dedicate AT LEAST one section of the dining hall to be completely gluten free, and disclosing the ingredients/brands used for each meal. I don't think my school would be open to doing this because dining services cuts costs cutting corners and only doing the minimum.

Did celiac impact your housing decision? How? Is there a certain dorm you recommend for celiacs? Why?

No, there wasn't any one dorm that has been better or worse.

Your advice to new celiac kids for managing the dining halls? Favorite dining hall(s)?

Be loud and make yourself known. I only like the first floor of the DeNaples Center, and I still only eat the pizza or Chick Fil-a fries.

Your advice to new celiac kids for eating in the dorm? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?

A lot of places deliver in Scranton, so that's helpful. The kitchens are never clean so don't bother trying to cook in them. Bring lots of snacks.

Your advice to new celiac kids on preparing before they come? Or doing upon first arrival?

Before coming to this school, get in touch with dining services.

Your advice to new celiac kids on managing keg parties and alcohol scene?

Avoid it. The parties are in small houses where beer is flying constantly. I spent most of my weekends alone because everyone I know is out at these parties.

Grade your college town area for celiac friendliness

C

Favorite places to eat in town or foodshop?

Wegmans.

Anything else you would like to add?

After the current head of dining services, Joseph Boyd, took over, there have been lots of complaints and bad things going on in dining services. Even employees have complained. It is impossible to get in communication with Mr. Boyd, he has ignored every email I have ever sent. He is one of the people causing the most trouble here. But as a whole, the University of Scranton needs to be more accommodating.