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I posted a question recently asking for experiences with GF dining at
colleges. My newly diagnosed 16 year old son Craig is just beginning to get
serious about the college search process, and we don't want to fall in love
with someplace that won't feed him well for four years!

I have been fortunate enough to receive many, many responses to my post. A
noteworthy observation is that size of school does not seem particularly
connected to willingness or ability of the staff to accommodate the celiac
student.

Responses ran the gamut: some people have had awesome experiences, and some
have found no real accommodation. Some have been promised accommodation and
then been offered very little they could eat. Several reported experiences
of paying too much for campus meal plans because of how little food turned
out to be appropriate.

Several people spoke of the importance of visiting with the head of dining
services when touring a campus.

Schools that receive federal funds are required to accommodate celiacs under
the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, a school that is forced to do
this but not experienced, or not open, may not provide the balance and
variety that students deserve, and need in order to thrive and not feel
deprived.

Several students end up living in off-campus apartments in order to be able
to shop and cook for themselves. This can, of course, be isolating at
schools where most students live on campus; it also requires a fair amount
of time and energy spent doing something other than studying and having a
social life.

More to follow.

Sheryll Daniel

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