We’re Trying to Get a Vegan Dining Hall at My University—Here’s How

Written by peta2 intern Liza Levithan

I thought it was fate when the first day of my first semester at NC State—the day I officially became a part of the Wolfpack—was a full moon. I transferred here in the fall of 2024, and it just felt right, like a good omen for a new beginning.

From the start, I knew I wanted to do more than just show up to class and go home. College should be about building community, being surrounded by people who care, are open-minded, and want to improve the world. I wanted to be part of that energy and contribute to it.

As a lifelong foodie, I quickly noticed something missing from campus: solid vegan dining. For a school that prides itself on agriculture, STEM, and sustainability, NC State was kinda… slacking on the food front. 😶

During that time, I joined Plant-Based Pack, a brand-new vegan advocacy group on campus. I met a handful of students who cared as much about animals, sustainability, and justice as I did. That sense of community? ✨ Amaze. ✨

We were all passionate about vegan living for the animals, the climate, and our health. One question kept tugging at my sleeve: Why doesn’t our campus have a fully vegan dining hall? Big and small schools across the country have done it—why not us?

So I got to work.

I wanted to launch a campaign that would shift not only what’s served, but what’s expected. ‘Cause here’s the thing: We all pay the same tuition. We all want food that’s nourishing, climate-friendly, and aligned with our values. But too often, vegan students are left with repetitive, limited, or straight-up sad options. 😓 And for first-years locked into required dining plans? That means paying for food you can’t (or won’t) eat.

That’s not just inconvenient, it’s inequitable. But it’s also fixable.

If you’ve ever stared into a dining hall sneeze guard and ended up with a plate of “accidentally vegan” spaghetti and a side salad of sadness, this one’s for you.

Here’s how we started our vegan dining hall campaign at NC State—and how you can start yours:

Step 1: Find the levers of power

Okay, that sounds a bit dramatic. But all I mean is, who’s in charge of making things happen around here? Who decides what goes on the menu? Who oversees sustainability? Who has access to the budget and the ears of the people writing it?

I found my school’s admin info pretty easily on Google and our website, and once I had names, I started hitting people up. I wrote emails. I had conversations. I looked for openings. What do they care about?

Step 2: Build student support

You can’t do this alone. (And why would you want to?) Through Plant-Based Pack, we started doing weekly tablings where we talked about who animals are. A lot of folks want to talk! Be inviting and focused on asking questions—let others find their conclusions and empathy for animals instead of telling them what to think.

We handed out free vegan food, had a cute chicken plushy who helped us prompt our classmates with a visual, and got petition signatures. We even hosted a vegan movie night to build community and boost engagement. It was about showing students that vegan food is delicious, doable, and the right way forward. 👏

The response? Way more supportive than I expected, tbh. Students are into this for many more reasons than I had originally thought!

Step 3: Knock (gently) on doors—and don’t stop

Some folks have been incredibly receptive. The Director of Sustainability responded the same day I contacted them and agreed to bring our proposal to the Sustainability Council. I then bumped into our Director of Nutrition on campus and chatted with her about our campaign. She was warm and open and encouraged me to join the Sustainability Council, from which I got to leverage this campaign personally.

Remember, though, silence isn’t a no—it’s an invitation to follow up.

Step 4: Keep the momentum alive

We’re not done. We’re organizing more events, teaming up with other student orgs, and making it clear that this isn’t a passing phase—it’s a movement. We’re here because vegan dining isn’t just a niche issue. It’s about climate action. It’s about health equity. And it’s about compassion for animals and students.

*****

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Could I do something like this on my campus?” Yes, you could.

You don’t need to have it all figured out— you need to care enough to begin. And when you’re ready, the peta2 team has your back. 💞

Let’s change what’s on our plates, and in doing so, let’s change everything.