University Awareness - Celiac/coeliac Disease

[kellynolan82]

A friend of mine has made the following statement:

What should I do to bring awareness to my university college about coeliac disease?

There are approximately 400-500 students at our college, yet I am the only one who is currently following a gluten free diet and no one else seems to have coeliac disease. Statistically some would but just don't know it yet. I would like to put posters up around college but this seems a bit invasive. Perhaps I could make some and put them up around the Union area but even this seems a bit 'in your face'.

How could I spread awareness throughout college and university in a casual, light manner?

Any suggestions as to what she should/could do to bring awareness and have people take note. It would be great if the University could gain a better understanding of this condition. Thanks in advance.

[Mdhriggin]

A friend of mine has made the following statement:

Any suggestions as to what she should/could do to bring awareness and have people take note. It would be great if the University could gain a better understanding of this condition. Thanks in advance.

I would suggest the following:

1. You seem to be at a small school. I would actually make an appointment to talk with either your university president or the dean/vice president of student affairs (the person who oversees the housing and dining, as well as medical issues). Talk to them about your concerns - they may not be able to do much, but having those contacts can't hurt.

2. I would talk with your university's food service (ours is Sodexo, and my partner, who has celiac, works as a manager for them here at our university). They can be really good about getting food that is gluten-free, and you can talk with them about having advertised gluten-free stations or days.

3. Talk to either the biology professors or if there is a student biology group - those that are premed or teach those courses might be interested in doing some awareness events and may have the manpower/resources to do it.

4. If you have on campus medical center, I would talk with them about either doing some education or awareness events about celiac

5. RAs and hall directors are always looking for programs, as are greek groups if you have them. I would see if they would want to partner with you about doing some awareness events.

Those would be my suggestions as a university professor who does awareness events on other topics as part of my job. Good luck!

[shadowicewolf]

Contact the disabilities office, they are more often than not love to advocate this type of thing.

(btw, i go to a smaller school with only maybe 5 celiacs there nn;)