Earlier this month, a student was hospitalized after eating a banana containing a tapeworm in LDC.The case has sparked outrage throughout the campus, with some students calling on the college to rethink their student dining contract with Bon Appetit (the company has since paused service of bananas). However, other students have embraced the tapeworm as a symbol of resilience in spite of great hardship and are rallying to bring back bananas – with tapeworms.
“I think it really shows something special about life. You can take one of the hardest situations to live in, in an underripe, nutrient-deprived environment, and still life will win,” said Robert Bandwurm ‘26. Bandwurm and others have started an awareness campaign to support the tapeworm, arguing that it has become an integral part of the LDC dining experience.
“It’s not every day that you have something so unique happen in the dining hall. It’s given eating an LDC banana a whole new meaning. Instead of just choosing the least green but still sad banana, now eating one is an act of faith. You are putting the entirety of your trust into this simple piece of fruit, that could potentially mean life or death. It’s become a real way to build character through suffering in an otherwise mundane situation,” said Elizabeth Tenia ‘27. Tenia and Bandwurm tabled in Sayles during Parent’s Weekend to raise tapeworm awareness and solidify its place at Carleton.
“We really believe in the sanctity of all things living,” said Bandwurm. “Even tapeworms deserve a place to live, and that place is LDC.” The duo plans to hand out t-shirts with slogans “Got worm?” and “Save Tapey,” the name they have given to the tapeworm.
Even College President Ally B. has taken the worm’s side, releasing the following statement. “Like all of our students, Tapey has taken a unique journey to come to Carleton. Born on a banana farm thousands of miles away, he survived all odds to climb a tree, nest in a banana, and fly thousands of miles to get here. He, in many ways, is a model Carleton student, radically changing the lives of those around him. While he’s now fighting for his life in the hospital, we can only hope that he’ll pull through and continue to achieve greatness.”
However, not all students are so happy.
“I wish this thing would just die already. It’s a mystery to me why people are taking its side. I hate it so much,” said the tapeworm’s host Henry Utal ‘26.
In recent days, the campus has turned against them, with many students saying that they are threatening Tapey. Supporters of Tapey are planning to picket the hospital where Tapey and Utal are being treated, protesting Tapey’s unjust treatment.
“I thought we didn’t allow violence or threats on this campus,” said Kevin Alsharitia ‘28. “I thought we accepted differences,” he said.
While Tapey has received thousands of letters of support, the same can’t be said for Utal.
“The last card I opened said ‘I hate you,’” said Utal. “Another said ‘don’t bother coming back to campus.’ It was on Carleton College official stationery.