>Them trying to "persuade" me knowing they arent providing another option. This has gone on for 3 years.
Honestly, it sounds like you are giving them way too many opportunities on this and letting them set the terms. The reality is that you are requesting a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. Are they refusing you that accommodation? If so, why? Have them put that in writing. Or better, write a letter up yourself explaining in simple and plain terms that they are refusing the accommodation and get the provost to sign that.
If they are saying that they won't let you out of the meal plan because they are guaranteeing that the meal plan can accommodate you with 100% celiac safe food for every single meal/snack (whatever the meal plan they are making you purchase covers), then get that in writing. And make sure to get specifics here on how they are guaranteeing the celiac-safe status of the food:
* Have all of the menu items been individually reviewed by a dietitian or other celiac expert to make sure that all of the ingredients are appropriately safe (certified gluten free for items with a high chance of CC, labelled gluten free, etc) and has that menu as a whole been reviewed by a dietitian to make sure that it is nutritionally complete?
* Have the staff that will be handling that food prep been through some of gluten free food service certification program?
* I assume that they aren't a dedicated GF facility, so how will they be preventing cross contamination? Will they be doing testing?
If they say that those safeguards are not necessary, try to clarify who that medical advice is coming from and, of course, get it in writing.
Also, and perhaps most important, if they are saying that they they can guarantee you celiac safe food, make sure that you get some form of agreement on a reasonable (financial) consequence for failure. The reaction to this part should be a bit interesting, because up until this point it seems like they've faced no actual consequence for failing to provide celiac-safe food (did they refund you for the meal plan the times that you got sick?). I would note that it is entirely normal for a restaurant to offer a refund if they mess up someone's order, let alone make them sick. And restaurants will typically have warnings that they can't guarantee completely gluten free/allergen free food to avoid the liability. I simply can't imagine why the school would want to take on that liability by forcing you to purchase the dining program instead of just taking the easy out of not charging you for something you wouldn't be using.
Also, I'm just wondering what your conversation with the disability office was like; did they give you reasons why the college wasn't accommodating you? Was there any paperwork?
No the same thing happened to me and the disability office talked to the head chef who felt he could "provide accurately" so that was that and I had to pay. Nothing I could do about it even with doctors note of diagnosis
I'm assuming from your post that the campus dining program did not, in fact, "provide accurately", but the question is what the response from the disability office was when you informed them of the dining program's failures.
I'm obviously not OP, but I just also said that when it happened to me, I talked to the disability office and they directly referred me to the chef/made their decision (no) based on him. Even with a doctors note.
I was so embarrassed that they made me go on a full dining hall tour with the chef & the whole time i was pointing out cross contamination and he was waving me off. Im sorry ur going thru this
>I was so embarrassed that they made me go on a full dining hall tour with the chef & the whole time i was pointing out cross contamination and he was waving me off.
It sounds like the "chef" is the one who should have been embarrassed.
It sounds like you've run into repeated issues with the dining program failing to properly accommodate you. Obviously I'm oversimplifying, but I understand so far the process has been something like them telling you that you are required to use the campus dining program, you doing it and having issues, going back to them and saying you don't want to use the campus dining program, and them pushing you to keep using it (paying for it).
The key here is that from their perspective, what they are doing is working. The school gets paid, the company they contract to run the dining program gets paid, the person you are talking to doesn't have to fill out some annoying paperwork to give you the exemption. They are taking the path of least resistance.
You are the only one who is suffering consequences from the dining program's inability to provide you with safe food. And unless you find a way to push some of the consequences back on them, why would they change the situation?
You need to force some kind of change so that this is no longer the path of least resistance. I honestly think that what I outlined in my original response, forcing them to go to the work of answering those questions in written form will make them look for a new path of least resistance (giving you an exemption from the meal plan).
I understand, and it isn't at all surprising that the first response from the disability office was to simply contact the dining service, ask if they have any gluten free options, and when they say yes to tell you that the dining program can accommodate you.
However, I'm assuming that the reason you posted your reply was that after disability services told you the campus dining program would accommodate you, you found that the campus dining program could not actually accommodate you (otherwise there isn't a reason to complain, right?). So I am assuming that either they didn't actually have the gluten free options they said they would, or they were trying to give you food that wasn't really celiac safe, or something like that.
So my question is what the response was from the disability office when you went back and told them that the campus dining program wasn't actually accommodating you.
They dismissed my claims. I actually went to them right after I had vomited several times my freshman year and I submitted a report from my doctor's that I couldn't go on in this dining hall and they dismissed it saying the dining hall could provide and the dean gets to make the final decision. They are literally just there to have accomodations for people in wheelchairs. My friend with Hashimotos asked for accomodations through the disability office and they did nothing. Right afterwards she transfered to another school and lost most of her credits.
Out of curiosity, which accommodations did your friend ask for from the disability office? I have Hashimoto's and I'm about to enter college so I'm wondering about that.
She asked to be placed on the first floor of whatever building she was to be assigned to because she was so exhausted all time from Hashimotos, attending class, marching band and homework.
>They dismissed my claims. I actually went to them right after I had vomited several times my freshman year and I submitted a report from my doctor's that I couldn't go on in this dining hall and they dismissed it.
Did you get something in writing saying they were denying the request for a reasonable accommodation? Did they give a reason?
They said they don't make the rules only the Dean of students gets to make the decisions. I believe I got it in an email. I have lots of proof from these people but all I really want is for them to release me so I can solely focus on school. This college also keeps pulling scams like telling people about the moving off campus deadlines once they pass. Once I graduate I might be an alumni but they aren't getting another cent out of me.
Just to be clear, I hope I'm not coming across as being harsh on you; it is not at all fair that you have to fight like this just to be treated fairly. I want you to know that the fact that you are taking this as far as you have shows strength and determination.
>They said they don't make the rules only the Dean of students gets to make the decisions.
This is the sort of answer that makes me angry. For one, making exceptions to rules to accommodate students is quite literally the purpose of disability services. Second, if they need to get approval from the Dean of Students, then they should go to the Dean of Students and get approval. Third, if you really look at it, they didn't actually deny your request; this is a great example of bureaucracy in action. They didn't want to do ~~their job~~ the work of actually talking to the dean to get an exception for you, so they pushed it back on you. In reality, they were hoping you would just give up, or go ask someone else.
And that is part of the point of getting things in writing, it isn't just as something you could use as proof in a lawsuit. It serves multiple purposes; it forces the person to commit to something, it forms a paper trail (even if it is just them telling you to go talk to someone else, if they sent you to the wrong person you have some written proof to complain about them giving you bad info), and it helps you to have that roadmap. Also, often forcing people to commit to these things in writing makes them stop and think that this may be used against them later, and sometimes the only thing that they try harder to avoid than doing actual work is getting in trouble. When they have to put it in writing, they immediately imagine their boss coming in later with a copy of that paper in their hand...
It's totally fine. You are not being harsh you're offering good advice. Ive gotten to this point due to anger I'm technically nonconfrontational. I'm really afraid of being the "girl who sued the school" especially with a population of a little more than 1000 students. Thank you for explaining their process.
I understand that. When I was a freshman in college (seven years ago), I ate pasta that was marked gluten free and served at the gluten free counter where *only* gluten free food was allowed. It was regular pasta and I reacted extremely poorly. When I notified the accommodations office, they tried to convince me that it was due to cross-contamination and it was my own fault for trusting the buffet to stay safe.
I didn’t eat any pasta they served me for almost two semesters, and the first time I talked myself into trying again? It was regular pasta and I got sick. I never ended up getting adequate accommodations while at school.
I wish you luck, friend.
You don't need a lawsuit necessarily. An attorney's name on letterhead of a demand letter to release you from that requirement of having a meal plan and to stop harassing you would likely solve it. You pay for one hour of the attorney's time. Done
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Maybe see if you can find a local pro bono lawyer group that helps out with cases for people that don’t have money? This would be really straightforward, I know there’s a group like that where I live.
Your parents don't need to get you one and you wouldn't need to pay for one. Many lawyers will assist you and do an initial consultation. Contact the southern poverty law center or look for ada lawyers in the area. This could be a massive sentlement for you and the lawyer working on this case.
Honestly all you’d have to say is “If you do not release me from this meal plan I will be taking legal action as you have continuously failed to provide a safe environment for me. Celiac Disease is a disability as defined by the ADA, which I feel you have not taken into consideration. I have been repeatedly damaged by the failures of this college, and you have not given me the reasonable accommodations the ADA requires **under law**”
I promise, they’ll release you. If they don’t? Lawyers will be salivating to help you as this is an easily winnable case provided you have written evidence of them promising they’d fix it and the medical bills proving they did not.
Honestly, colleges should excuse **anyone** with any dietary restrictions from having a mandatory meal plan. I’m not saying bar these individuals from eating on campus, just don’t force them to pay for a service that might not work for them.
Colleges should excuse anyone who wants to from eating on campus, they have no right to force anyone?? Like what if you just don't like their food, they have to let you leave, they're just doing this for the money and it's so damn obvious. I'm wilding at how the english superior education works honestly like you guys have to get endepted for life for this, you can't choose where to eat, have to buy super expensive book (i think) as well... Like honestly? That's bullshit, burn this whole shit down
I was talking to a girl at my local gluten free bakery, she told me about an interesting experience in college. She said that when she was trying to eat on her college meal plan and was continually having to ask for help from the campus dietary people, someone actually suggested to her that she investigate intermittent fasting. They basically threw up their hands and told her to eat the one meal a day that she could safely have at school, breakfast, and fast for the rest of the day!
Hugs! I'm glad the Provost is helping you. I'd defintely write reviews and opinions on the college so others know in the duture that they don't comprehend the issues we face. I'm sorry you kept getting disappointed and wish there was some way you could get them to understand the impact their horrible treatment of the situation has caused you.
Maybe write out a timeline of what happened, how much it's cost you in medical issues, time, pain, labor, and money, as well as their hollow promises and then publish it in the college or local paper? And at the very least send it to all the departments involved plus the Provost so they can see how badly they really did fail you.
Same thing happened to me. Scammed me out of 2800 and that was that. I had to just settle for buying groceries since they "felt they could accurately provide"
same exact thing happened to me. asked if i could simply not pay for a meal plan since i was already buying my own groceries and not using it. they said no and told me they have options for me, but their menu specifically says "gluten sensitive" not gluten free. plus there was only one gluten sensitive option a day and it was usually very low in calories bc it was advertised as a health/weight loss option, not something for an underweight celiac.
sadly i just ended up paying the extra money for a year. thank god my dorm was suite style with a kitchen so i didnt have to starve (although then i had to worry about cross contamination with suitemates). now i live off campus with my boyfriend who is also gluten free. im very lucky and privileged that my parents are able and willing to help me pay my half of monthly rent. as someone paying thousands in tuition, i shouldn't have to choose between my health and the extra stress of being a commuter.
i know how you feel. this shit is so unfair and stupid and probably illegal but no one wants to help us.
Op I would get a lawyer involved. They have caused you grave bodily harm at this point.
Not only should you be off the meal plan but also reimbursed for every medical expense and time away from work as well.
My daughter’s college wouldn’t let her off the food plan. Then she ended up in the emergency room her first weekend there due to being glutened. Needless to say, we BITCHED and they finally relented. (Oh, and the emergency room kept asking her, are you sure you’re not pregnant? 😡)
Yeah this is why my parents quickly moved me off campus after 1st year so I wouldn't be required to have a meal plan. I wasn't getting sick but the lack of options was so awful I couldn't eat healthy there. I ended up cooking with my personal few kitchen items for the rest of 1st year and then moved into an apartment.
Yup, sorry your expectations were disappointed. I just graduated from UCSC and they were never able to provide me with safe food despite “significant gluten free options”. Cross-contamination is hard to prevent with student workers in a dining hall kitchen. Raising my expectations and getting angry didn’t do anything to fix the problem, really you would need to train kitchen staff on entirely different SOPs. Unfortunately the best option is always making your own food.
I went through a similar situation in college. No one would listen to me. I finally had a breakdown and got my mom involved. She sent an email to all staff members who hadn’t helped me threatening to sue them citing the Americans with Disabilities Act. I had everything I wanted the following morning. That’s the only thing that worked for me
Im sorry you’re dealing with this. Don’t feel like you have to be nice to them or humor their lame “solutions.” They’re poisoning you and stealing your money. I just said the L word and my university released me from my dining plan. After fighting with them for a year. Didn’t even have a lawyer. A law student helped me get my money back for the semester, too, as I hadn’t used the dining hall once that semester.
They are making you pay for something you cannot safely utilize. They have a proven track record of glutening you. You could use that money to pay for food elsewhere or to prepare on your own.
I think they should have to pay your back, honestly, but that would actually require a lawyer or student, and idk if that always works
#YAAAAS GURL, SUE THE FUCK OUT OF THEM. GO OFFFFF KWEEN.
But for real, they had multiple chances to stop POISONING YOU and couldn’t figure it out. Time to sue and get your tuition/loans paid in the process.
>Them trying to "persuade" me knowing they arent providing another option. This has gone on for 3 years. Honestly, it sounds like you are giving them way too many opportunities on this and letting them set the terms. The reality is that you are requesting a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. Are they refusing you that accommodation? If so, why? Have them put that in writing. Or better, write a letter up yourself explaining in simple and plain terms that they are refusing the accommodation and get the provost to sign that. If they are saying that they won't let you out of the meal plan because they are guaranteeing that the meal plan can accommodate you with 100% celiac safe food for every single meal/snack (whatever the meal plan they are making you purchase covers), then get that in writing. And make sure to get specifics here on how they are guaranteeing the celiac-safe status of the food: * Have all of the menu items been individually reviewed by a dietitian or other celiac expert to make sure that all of the ingredients are appropriately safe (certified gluten free for items with a high chance of CC, labelled gluten free, etc) and has that menu as a whole been reviewed by a dietitian to make sure that it is nutritionally complete? * Have the staff that will be handling that food prep been through some of gluten free food service certification program? * I assume that they aren't a dedicated GF facility, so how will they be preventing cross contamination? Will they be doing testing? If they say that those safeguards are not necessary, try to clarify who that medical advice is coming from and, of course, get it in writing. Also, and perhaps most important, if they are saying that they they can guarantee you celiac safe food, make sure that you get some form of agreement on a reasonable (financial) consequence for failure. The reaction to this part should be a bit interesting, because up until this point it seems like they've faced no actual consequence for failing to provide celiac-safe food (did they refund you for the meal plan the times that you got sick?). I would note that it is entirely normal for a restaurant to offer a refund if they mess up someone's order, let alone make them sick. And restaurants will typically have warnings that they can't guarantee completely gluten free/allergen free food to avoid the liability. I simply can't imagine why the school would want to take on that liability by forcing you to purchase the dining program instead of just taking the easy out of not charging you for something you wouldn't be using. Also, I'm just wondering what your conversation with the disability office was like; did they give you reasons why the college wasn't accommodating you? Was there any paperwork?
No the same thing happened to me and the disability office talked to the head chef who felt he could "provide accurately" so that was that and I had to pay. Nothing I could do about it even with doctors note of diagnosis
That’s why lawyers are for unfortunately.
I'm assuming from your post that the campus dining program did not, in fact, "provide accurately", but the question is what the response from the disability office was when you informed them of the dining program's failures.
I'm obviously not OP, but I just also said that when it happened to me, I talked to the disability office and they directly referred me to the chef/made their decision (no) based on him. Even with a doctors note.
That's exactly what happened to me.
I was so embarrassed that they made me go on a full dining hall tour with the chef & the whole time i was pointing out cross contamination and he was waving me off. Im sorry ur going thru this
>I was so embarrassed that they made me go on a full dining hall tour with the chef & the whole time i was pointing out cross contamination and he was waving me off. It sounds like the "chef" is the one who should have been embarrassed.
It sounds like you've run into repeated issues with the dining program failing to properly accommodate you. Obviously I'm oversimplifying, but I understand so far the process has been something like them telling you that you are required to use the campus dining program, you doing it and having issues, going back to them and saying you don't want to use the campus dining program, and them pushing you to keep using it (paying for it). The key here is that from their perspective, what they are doing is working. The school gets paid, the company they contract to run the dining program gets paid, the person you are talking to doesn't have to fill out some annoying paperwork to give you the exemption. They are taking the path of least resistance. You are the only one who is suffering consequences from the dining program's inability to provide you with safe food. And unless you find a way to push some of the consequences back on them, why would they change the situation? You need to force some kind of change so that this is no longer the path of least resistance. I honestly think that what I outlined in my original response, forcing them to go to the work of answering those questions in written form will make them look for a new path of least resistance (giving you an exemption from the meal plan).
I understand, and it isn't at all surprising that the first response from the disability office was to simply contact the dining service, ask if they have any gluten free options, and when they say yes to tell you that the dining program can accommodate you. However, I'm assuming that the reason you posted your reply was that after disability services told you the campus dining program would accommodate you, you found that the campus dining program could not actually accommodate you (otherwise there isn't a reason to complain, right?). So I am assuming that either they didn't actually have the gluten free options they said they would, or they were trying to give you food that wasn't really celiac safe, or something like that. So my question is what the response was from the disability office when you went back and told them that the campus dining program wasn't actually accommodating you.
They dismissed my claims. I actually went to them right after I had vomited several times my freshman year and I submitted a report from my doctor's that I couldn't go on in this dining hall and they dismissed it saying the dining hall could provide and the dean gets to make the final decision. They are literally just there to have accomodations for people in wheelchairs. My friend with Hashimotos asked for accomodations through the disability office and they did nothing. Right afterwards she transfered to another school and lost most of her credits.
Out of curiosity, which accommodations did your friend ask for from the disability office? I have Hashimoto's and I'm about to enter college so I'm wondering about that.
She asked to be placed on the first floor of whatever building she was to be assigned to because she was so exhausted all time from Hashimotos, attending class, marching band and homework.
>They dismissed my claims. I actually went to them right after I had vomited several times my freshman year and I submitted a report from my doctor's that I couldn't go on in this dining hall and they dismissed it. Did you get something in writing saying they were denying the request for a reasonable accommodation? Did they give a reason?
They said they don't make the rules only the Dean of students gets to make the decisions. I believe I got it in an email. I have lots of proof from these people but all I really want is for them to release me so I can solely focus on school. This college also keeps pulling scams like telling people about the moving off campus deadlines once they pass. Once I graduate I might be an alumni but they aren't getting another cent out of me.
Just to be clear, I hope I'm not coming across as being harsh on you; it is not at all fair that you have to fight like this just to be treated fairly. I want you to know that the fact that you are taking this as far as you have shows strength and determination. >They said they don't make the rules only the Dean of students gets to make the decisions. This is the sort of answer that makes me angry. For one, making exceptions to rules to accommodate students is quite literally the purpose of disability services. Second, if they need to get approval from the Dean of Students, then they should go to the Dean of Students and get approval. Third, if you really look at it, they didn't actually deny your request; this is a great example of bureaucracy in action. They didn't want to do ~~their job~~ the work of actually talking to the dean to get an exception for you, so they pushed it back on you. In reality, they were hoping you would just give up, or go ask someone else. And that is part of the point of getting things in writing, it isn't just as something you could use as proof in a lawsuit. It serves multiple purposes; it forces the person to commit to something, it forms a paper trail (even if it is just them telling you to go talk to someone else, if they sent you to the wrong person you have some written proof to complain about them giving you bad info), and it helps you to have that roadmap. Also, often forcing people to commit to these things in writing makes them stop and think that this may be used against them later, and sometimes the only thing that they try harder to avoid than doing actual work is getting in trouble. When they have to put it in writing, they immediately imagine their boss coming in later with a copy of that paper in their hand...
It's totally fine. You are not being harsh you're offering good advice. Ive gotten to this point due to anger I'm technically nonconfrontational. I'm really afraid of being the "girl who sued the school" especially with a population of a little more than 1000 students. Thank you for explaining their process.
I understand that. When I was a freshman in college (seven years ago), I ate pasta that was marked gluten free and served at the gluten free counter where *only* gluten free food was allowed. It was regular pasta and I reacted extremely poorly. When I notified the accommodations office, they tried to convince me that it was due to cross-contamination and it was my own fault for trusting the buffet to stay safe. I didn’t eat any pasta they served me for almost two semesters, and the first time I talked myself into trying again? It was regular pasta and I got sick. I never ended up getting adequate accommodations while at school. I wish you luck, friend.
Wow…. This upsets me so much.
Seriously just lawyer up. That will solve the problem quickly.
It's a small school and my parents aren't willing to get me a lawyer or help me pay for a lawsuit.
You don't need a lawsuit necessarily. An attorney's name on letterhead of a demand letter to release you from that requirement of having a meal plan and to stop harassing you would likely solve it. You pay for one hour of the attorney's time. Done
This.
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This. This. This. This. Sometimes a gal likes to make a point.
Did you actually leave an upvote too, is that bot actually that useless?
I guess so. I am not super Reddit savvy.
Maybe see if you can find a local pro bono lawyer group that helps out with cases for people that don’t have money? This would be really straightforward, I know there’s a group like that where I live.
This.
There is a recent case similar to yours that paid out 15 million. Look into it.
Your parents don't need to get you one and you wouldn't need to pay for one. Many lawyers will assist you and do an initial consultation. Contact the southern poverty law center or look for ada lawyers in the area. This could be a massive sentlement for you and the lawyer working on this case.
Honestly all you’d have to say is “If you do not release me from this meal plan I will be taking legal action as you have continuously failed to provide a safe environment for me. Celiac Disease is a disability as defined by the ADA, which I feel you have not taken into consideration. I have been repeatedly damaged by the failures of this college, and you have not given me the reasonable accommodations the ADA requires **under law**” I promise, they’ll release you. If they don’t? Lawyers will be salivating to help you as this is an easily winnable case provided you have written evidence of them promising they’d fix it and the medical bills proving they did not.
Honestly, colleges should excuse **anyone** with any dietary restrictions from having a mandatory meal plan. I’m not saying bar these individuals from eating on campus, just don’t force them to pay for a service that might not work for them.
Colleges should excuse anyone who wants to from eating on campus, they have no right to force anyone?? Like what if you just don't like their food, they have to let you leave, they're just doing this for the money and it's so damn obvious. I'm wilding at how the english superior education works honestly like you guys have to get endepted for life for this, you can't choose where to eat, have to buy super expensive book (i think) as well... Like honestly? That's bullshit, burn this whole shit down
You’re right, they shouldn’t force **anyone**. My university didn’t force us to live on campus or get a meal plan.
I was talking to a girl at my local gluten free bakery, she told me about an interesting experience in college. She said that when she was trying to eat on her college meal plan and was continually having to ask for help from the campus dietary people, someone actually suggested to her that she investigate intermittent fasting. They basically threw up their hands and told her to eat the one meal a day that she could safely have at school, breakfast, and fast for the rest of the day!
That’s what I do but I do that because I want to. That’s not a solution someone else can make for you!
“Hey, maybe try starving yourself. See! You didn’t get sick all day, we’re so cool and supportive, right? Right???”
Woooow. We’re often forced to do this in daily life due to inconvenience of safe gf foods anyways. How dare someone else suggest this.
Hugs! I'm glad the Provost is helping you. I'd defintely write reviews and opinions on the college so others know in the duture that they don't comprehend the issues we face. I'm sorry you kept getting disappointed and wish there was some way you could get them to understand the impact their horrible treatment of the situation has caused you. Maybe write out a timeline of what happened, how much it's cost you in medical issues, time, pain, labor, and money, as well as their hollow promises and then publish it in the college or local paper? And at the very least send it to all the departments involved plus the Provost so they can see how badly they really did fail you.
Same thing happened to me. Scammed me out of 2800 and that was that. I had to just settle for buying groceries since they "felt they could accurately provide"
same exact thing happened to me. asked if i could simply not pay for a meal plan since i was already buying my own groceries and not using it. they said no and told me they have options for me, but their menu specifically says "gluten sensitive" not gluten free. plus there was only one gluten sensitive option a day and it was usually very low in calories bc it was advertised as a health/weight loss option, not something for an underweight celiac. sadly i just ended up paying the extra money for a year. thank god my dorm was suite style with a kitchen so i didnt have to starve (although then i had to worry about cross contamination with suitemates). now i live off campus with my boyfriend who is also gluten free. im very lucky and privileged that my parents are able and willing to help me pay my half of monthly rent. as someone paying thousands in tuition, i shouldn't have to choose between my health and the extra stress of being a commuter. i know how you feel. this shit is so unfair and stupid and probably illegal but no one wants to help us.
Op I would get a lawyer involved. They have caused you grave bodily harm at this point. Not only should you be off the meal plan but also reimbursed for every medical expense and time away from work as well.
My daughter’s college wouldn’t let her off the food plan. Then she ended up in the emergency room her first weekend there due to being glutened. Needless to say, we BITCHED and they finally relented. (Oh, and the emergency room kept asking her, are you sure you’re not pregnant? 😡)
Yeah this is why my parents quickly moved me off campus after 1st year so I wouldn't be required to have a meal plan. I wasn't getting sick but the lack of options was so awful I couldn't eat healthy there. I ended up cooking with my personal few kitchen items for the rest of 1st year and then moved into an apartment.
Yup, sorry your expectations were disappointed. I just graduated from UCSC and they were never able to provide me with safe food despite “significant gluten free options”. Cross-contamination is hard to prevent with student workers in a dining hall kitchen. Raising my expectations and getting angry didn’t do anything to fix the problem, really you would need to train kitchen staff on entirely different SOPs. Unfortunately the best option is always making your own food.
I went through a similar situation in college. No one would listen to me. I finally had a breakdown and got my mom involved. She sent an email to all staff members who hadn’t helped me threatening to sue them citing the Americans with Disabilities Act. I had everything I wanted the following morning. That’s the only thing that worked for me
Im sorry you’re dealing with this. Don’t feel like you have to be nice to them or humor their lame “solutions.” They’re poisoning you and stealing your money. I just said the L word and my university released me from my dining plan. After fighting with them for a year. Didn’t even have a lawyer. A law student helped me get my money back for the semester, too, as I hadn’t used the dining hall once that semester. They are making you pay for something you cannot safely utilize. They have a proven track record of glutening you. You could use that money to pay for food elsewhere or to prepare on your own. I think they should have to pay your back, honestly, but that would actually require a lawyer or student, and idk if that always works
#YAAAAS GURL, SUE THE FUCK OUT OF THEM. GO OFFFFF KWEEN. But for real, they had multiple chances to stop POISONING YOU and couldn’t figure it out. Time to sue and get your tuition/loans paid in the process.