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THE DORM FOOD PROJECT

The dorm food project is back in fall semester 2005 with a vengeance. Its aim is to get hot, healthy, plant-based meal alternatives at every residence hall. Our current focus is on Grant South, Douglas, and Neptune. We are always in need of dorm residents to help with the project. Contact VEG if you would like to get involved to try to make a difference. Many other universities have many more vegan-friendly options at every meal; we need to push to catch up. The cost of dorm meal plans should in some way reflect what students get, for any student, be they health conscious, lactose-intolerant, or vegan.

NIU food service has an obligation to supply you with the foods you require.  We need to tell them what we need. We hope that Unit Managers (those in charge of getting the food for the Residence Hall) take both their jobs and your comments seriously. Here are some initial ideas for what you can do.   

When you give voice your requests, be specific and polite.  Even though many of us endure frustration and a lack of variation, avoid berating them for serving over-cooked pasta with buttery vegetables and a half pound of cheese for days on end. Tell them what you cannot eat and what you can eat as specifically as possible.  For instance, you might say, "I cannot eat any dairy products, but I can eat whole grains, steamed vegetables or vegetable stir-fries, legumes, and fortified soy milk." There are some options currently available, such as readily available fortified soymilk and Boca Burgers, and for the hard-core, raw tofu at the salad bar. There are other options available on a part-time basis, such as hummus at the salad bar and channa (a chickpea curry). Be ready to travel to various dorms to catch the latest vegetarian meal.

Now here's how submit your requests:  First and foremost, contact the Unit Manager of your Dining Hall.  You can do so in the 4 following ways: in person, by phone (contact your RHA for the specific number), and by the comment cards that are available in your dining hall.  The comment cards are read directly by the Unit Managers. Also, request from your RHA the email of your food service unit manager. Your residence hall may also have a food rep, which will give you another way to get your input to your unit manager.

There are more ways to voice your demands: (i) Attend Food Advisory Board meetings.  They take place on a regular basis.  Find out from the managers when and where meetings are held. (ii) Attend your Hall Council Meetings. (iii) Contact your RHA representative.

The Dorm Food Project has had questionable progress working through the food services over the last 3 years. Sometimes it took months to see visible progress for vegan options. Keep up on your comment cards, but there is a growing concern that more action is required. If you would like to hear of some personal experiences and advice on being vegetarian in the dorms from a former dorm resident, contact Brian or VEG.