This is a guest blog post by Nora Allen who has been my “virtual” intern this summer. If you have a vegan college student, friend or relative, then please share this with them. It has important information written by a “real” vegan.
Nora Allen has been a vegan since 2005. She was a Vegetarian Resource Group scholarship winner. Nora is currently a senior nutrition major at Cedar Crest College. She enjoys sharing her experiences as well as promoting the animal rights movement. Her college experience has been enhanced by being involved in Alpha Phi Omega, running cross country, and being a member of the Student Dietetic Association.
Please read on…
A Time for Growth and Change
Going to college is an exciting opportunity for growth, especially when you are a vegan. Deciding what type of college you wish to attend will impact your experience as a vegan. Larger universities may already have vegan options in their cafeteria, and you may even meet other vegans. They also have more clubs and organizations, so you may find one about animal rights. Conversely, smaller colleges may be more limited in terms of food options. Geography also plays a role. Colleges in California or the Northeast may have a larger vegan population than those in the Midwest or South. Sometimes choosing a school that is not very vegan friendly may be a great opportunity for you to share the vegan lifestyle and leave your impact on the school. Another idea to take into consideration is the city surrounding the college. You may find grocery stores or restaurants that meet your needs, and that may play a role for you as well.
When shopping for dorm items, go to local stores for vegan products before ordering things online. You may what you need, and save money in the process. Buying your own refrigerator may also be a worthwhile investment. If you have a non-vegan roommate, they may store meat and dairy in the refrigerator, and your food may absorb some of the scent. You will also want to stock up on vegan snacks for your dorm, as well as any of your favorite food items.
Dealing with the Meal Plan
Most schools will require you to have a meal plan, so it is important to make sure that the cafeteria has vegan options. You may want to meet with the food service director and the executive chef of the dining hall. Let them know that you are a vegan, tell them about some of your favorite foods, and what you would like to see in the cafeteria.
Lending them a cookbook or two may also be helpful- one that is very useful is “Vegan in Volume” by Nancy Berkoff. The book contains recipes in large numbers, and also lists different food service providers for vegan ingredients. Remember that your college’s first priority is to meet the demands of the majority of the students, who are unfortunately not vegan. Be patient with the dining services. Give them positive feedback when you like something they served. Also, if the foods being served can be easily made vegan, ask to have one made for you. Allow a little extra time to wait for your food to be made, as your food may be a special order in many cases. Finally, if you are not getting adequate food options, follow up with the appropriate people. Be polite and respectful in addressing them, and again be clear in what you are looking for.
Potential Classroom Issues
Some college majors may require you to do things that are not in line with your beliefs as a vegan. Many science majors need to perform dissections, psychology may require you to perform projects with animal subjects, and culinary may involve tasting foods that are not vegan. No need to change your major if it’s your passion, but be aware of this. If you do find that you are in a class that requires you to do something against your beliefs, speak to the professor outside of class, in advance of the class where the activity will be performed. Let them know that you are a vegan, and explain why the activity goes against your beliefs. Ask if there is an alternative, or if you can observe your classmates doing the activity. Remember to be polite and flexible with the professor. In some cases, you may be required to participate in the activity. Although it may be hard, keep in mind that you are getting a step closer to your future career.
Sharing Your Vegan Passion
One of the exciting parts of the college experience is that you and your peers will be doing a lot of self-exploration, and developing strong beliefs. Some of your peers may become interested in the animal rights movement, and you will be able to encourage them in leading a cruelty-free life. You also may find animal rights groups at your college or nearby college, and have the opportunity to reach out to the local community. If your college doesn’t have such a group, you can be the forerunner in starting one. As you embark on the college journey as a vegan, you will be amazed at how fast four years can go. Keep an open mind and remember to enjoy the experience.
I work in a dining hall of my school, and I know that the cooks have been experimenting with vegan offerings. Ours is the place to go for “buy fresh, buy local” foods, so I think it makes the staff naturally more in tune with people’s many eating styles. Coming up with recipes and ideas for entrees that are visually appealing, healthy, and enjoyable is a difficult thing for people who aren’t themselves vegan. I liked reading this guest post, and will suggest Berkoff’s book to my boss.