I’ve been vegan for a few months, and at first, it was really hard. Cutting out things I love sucked (cheese-- oh my gosh, I love cheese) and trying to work my way around things was difficult. But nothing has been more difficult, frustrating, and exhausting than trying to be vegan at college.
Before coming to Marist, they told me all about how understanding and adaptive the dinning staff and menu are for special diet needs. They showed me the special kitchen where they have a pantry of food that kids with dietary needs or allergies request certain things they want so they can eat. I heard great stories about the hot meals served there and how wonderful it was. Had I been inside? No way, but I had a pretty great image of the vegan promise land behind those wooden doors.
When I started at Marist I was stoked. Unlimited swipes. I am required to pay for unlimited swipes as a freshman regardless, but still. Want to know how much this costs? I pay $2,650 per semester to eat in the dinning hall 3 meals a day – or more if I feel like it. Now I know that’s a lot of money but the promise land, guys. THE PROMISE LAND.
So I start at Marist – and this is where my problems begin. I walk into the dinning hall and am faced with a few options; chicken, burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, and so many things made with eggs and milk. I’m slightly sad, but I get a salad and hope tomorrow will be better.
After a week of it not getting better and constantly feeling hungry, I talked to the person in charge. First of all, it took forever to hunt him down, and second of all, he didn’t know what veganism even was. But he said there was some sorbet in the special kitchen and activated my ID so I could get in.
This was it. I was so excited. I went to the special kitchen and turned right back around. It smelled like something was suffering and dying inside. It was hot and steamy and gross all over. But I knew I had to go in. I ventured in and guess what: nothing inside was vegan. I asked the guy in charge if they could add more tofu and actual food for vegans to eat and he said of course and to request it.
So I did. And I did again the next week. And then I did again a month later. And I did yesterday too. And guess what. Nothing’s changed.
That’s not OK. I’m not the only vegan at this school and I’m not the only one struggling. How can they expect me to eat raw vegetables for every single meal? No, that isn’t what being vegan is. I honestly could probably get more nutrition out of eating a napkin in the dining hall than I do out of one entire meal at the dining hall.
It’s ridiculous, and I’m honestly withering away. We have to ban together to get our schools to be more vegan friendly. Please.
