Approaching the Challenges Plant-based College Students Encounter

Photo courtesy of UMich Dining.

With college application season underway and freshmen simultaneously adjusting to a new life away from home, this time a year can be overwhelming. However, plant-based students have a lot more to consider when making the big decision. It’s hard enough deciding what school is the best fit, yet alone which one is the most vegan friendly. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources available to assist young adults in this major shift. ​

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The anxious look around the dining hall for plant-based foods has forever been a challenge and something anyone with dietary restrictions can relate to, but what if you knew what to expect from particular university before your first meal there? To help get a feel for how well various universities accommodate plant-based students, PETA has their own Vegan Report Card. The site works by grading schools on a letter scale, allowing students to browse by state and see student satisfaction rates. According to the report card, the University of Michigan is ranked the most vegan friendly compared to Wayne State University and Michigan State. The grade is solely based on the vegan options the school cafeteria offers, neglecting other factors. Despite being a helpful tool for gauging how successful schools are in integrating vegan options into meal-plans, the purpose of the report card is not to serve as a “deal breaker” when deciding where to commit to. 
Although the food a school dining hall offers is a critical part in determining how much a college supports the plant-based community, the presence of plant-based nutrition education and animal advocacy groups is just as important. Students crave community and if schools can work to provide niche student groups, diversity and feelings of acceptance will flourish. Second year medical student at Wayne State University School of Medicine, Allie Boland is the president of the Plant-based Nutrition Group. Boland mentions a large variety of programs offered at Michigan universities such as the 4-week ‘Plant Plunge’ Wayne State medical students participate in every year before Thanksgiving; “Over the four weeks, medical students have the opportunity to attend a series of lectures from local plant-based advocates and physicians. Students are also encouraged to adopt a plant-based diet for this period to foster a deeper understanding of altering one’s diet and the changes it may bring. The goal of the ‘Plant Plunge’ is to increase medical students’ knowledge and gain direct life experiences that will empower them to effectively provide nutritional education in future physician encounters.” Boland also expresses a desire for plant-based nutrition education to have a more prominent role in medical school curriculum but denotes that it is largely an “institutional issue”. 
Over in East Lansing, plant-based agricultural groups at Michigan State University thrive to enhance economic prosperity as well as to sustain natural resources. Students of MSU are also pleasantly surprised to find a diverse selection of vegan friendly food at the dining halls. One student review published by Eat at State says “The best part is that my luck didn’t end with the dining halls. Sparty’s stores around campus had vegan items to choose from as well. I tried things like the tabouli salad, and hummus with pita bread cup!” Despite a mediocre grade from the Vegan Report Card, MSU Spartans say otherwise.
Beyond programs at WSU and MSU, the University of Michigan has several clubs and student-lead organizations that appeal to the plant-based community. The “Michigan Animal Respect Society” and “Food Equity & Ecosystem Diversity Society” are particularly popular amongst the student body. Both groups advocate for animal rights and promote veganism without discriminating against omnivores. The U of M dining hall also does a great job of supporting plant-based communities and caters to numerous dietary restrictions. The “24 Carrot” station ensures 1-2 vegan options every meal. In addition, the cafeteria hosts “Meatless Mondays” every week, in which the entire hall goes vegetarian for a day. On a more environmental note, U of M has practices sustainability, composting, and reducing waste. Creating conditions in which vegan students feel supported not only helps them feel secure in their choices, it generates opportunity for others to become inspired as well. 
For the most part, colleges in Michigan do a great job encouraging healthier lifestyles and promoting animal rights, but unfortunately this isn’t the case everywhere. For students who don’t feel supported by their school, we encourage you to take matters into your own hands. Collaborating with like-minded students to create a club is a great way to initiate thoughtful conversations and generate a sense of community. For the writers out there, a blog or newsletter is the perfect way to inspire change at your university and is a great outlet for self expression. To make an impact at an institutional level, it is worthwhile to reach out to your administration and seek further help. Any effort is a win in the plant-based community. 
We understand that living plant-based isn’t always seamless. Allie Boland speaks to her experience as a vegan in college saying “As a student it can be hard to get groceries for many reasons: lack of transportation or budget constraints being two big ones.” It can be a big adjustment having to navigate in an unfamiliar setting but Boland advises students to “Try to buy in bulk or meal prep ahead of time to save some money. Frozen veggies are also great because they last longer and are cheaper.” Seeking fellowship online is also a great tool for anyone adjusting to a new lifestyle. Despite the challenges that may come with being a plant-based student, the forever growing plant-based community is a strong testament to the power it brings your body and mind.