RPI Scores Straight A's on Vegan Report Card

Peta2 is the world's largest youth animal rights group. It exists for young people who want to begin to make meaningful changes for animals in their everyday lives. One of the main focus points of the group is to expand vegan options in cafeterias across the country. In doing so, they have created the Vegan Report Card which assesses vegan options and awareness on college and university campuses. The average for schools in New York state is a B. However, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has exceeded this average and received an A.

This rating is based on a multitude of factors including: offering vegan entrees and nondairy milk, labeling vegan entrees and desserts, promoting vegan options, partnering with students to distribute vegan food, offering an all-vegan station, including a vegan member on the student advisory board, participating in Meatless Mondays, and operating an all-vegan dining facility. Rensselaer covered all but three of these categories as seen on the list from peta2's website.

For those students who have eaten in the dining halls on campus, it is clear to see that veganism is respected by Rensselaer Dining Services. From the vegan chicken tenders at the grill to the nondairy milk in the coolers to the entire room of vegan treats in MyZone, Rensselaer Dining Services truly does go above and beyond when catering to vegan needs.

One factor that was not taken into account in peta2's report card, but is also a central part of Rensselaer Dining Services, is the dietitian, Kimberly Mayer. Students who have special dietary needs such as those who eat vegan can meet with Kim to discuss the options available to them on campus. Not to mention, she can work with those who are vegan to ensure they are incorporating enough protein into their diets. She is one of the greatest assets available to students on a dining plan and a facet of Rensselaer Dining Services that sets us apart from other dining services at other colleges and universities.

With all this in mind, Rensselaer Dining Services looks toward a future in which Rensselaer's ranking is an A+, the highest mark available, and accreditation on the Vegan Report Card Dean's List-- an honor only the highest-ranked colleges and universities receive. To make this possible, we the students of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute need to get more involved, whether it be by promoting Meatless Mondays and participation of vegan students on the student advisory board or simply just by educating others on veganism.