Celiac College Student Survey completed October 2019
Food Service Vendor
not sure
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.
It's a community college and there is a cafe that serves coffee & breakfast, and an atrium with a cafeteria style food area. There are basically NO gluten free options aside from drinks. The vending machines have one or two options, popcorn, chips and fruit snacks. That's it. If I am hungry there arent very many options nearby either unless I have time for a sit down meal or go further from campus. I usually always bring food but that's tough when I have 2 hour classes back to back or have a class right after work.
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?
Really bad
Does your college handle celiac food restrictions as you expected they would when you selected your school?
Not at all what I expected
Grade your college on feeding celiac students
D
Explain your rationale for that grade
No real food options on campus
Check all that apply
My school is small and has only 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
Did you register with your students disabilities office for accommodations? If yes, describe.
Are there resources (nutritionists, chefs, peer support groups) to help ensure you are receiving safe nutritious food? Describe
No.
How many times have you been glutenized in your dining hall?
NONE
Describe your biggest celiac challenge at college and how you manage it
Literally no food on campus
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 have affordable certified celiac safe options and also have a few hot meal options AFTER training staff, maybe having a separate fryer and a small dedicated food prep area. I dont think they would be open to these options at all.
Did celiac impact your housing decision? How? Is there a certain dorm you recommend for celiacs? Why?
I dont live in a dorm. It did impact my housing decision in that it made choosing a roommate a little harder- needed to make sure she does not bake and understands seperate dishes, utensils, and that we cannot share food.
Your advice to new celiac kids for managing the dining halls? Favorite dining hall(s)?
Always bring snacks, be prepared to just not eat with everyone
Your advice to new celiac kids for eating in the dorm? Favorite snacks? Places that deliver?
No dorms.
Your advice to new celiac kids on preparing before they come? Or doing upon first arrival?
Wipe everything down. Wash hands often. Plan food.
Your advice to new celiac kids on managing keg parties and alcohol scene?
BYOB for parties, Google which brands of alcohol you can have and try to memorize it.
Grade your college town area for celiac friendlinessBFavorite places to eat in town or foodshop?
There are a lot but they are expensive. Nearby is capital cider, and there are a few smaller places to eat but again it's more of a sit down restaurant and it's more expensive
Anything else you would like to add?
No