Students Demand Plant-Based Eateries

their meals.

Britney Casillas, a senior CSUSB student, expressed frustration about dorming and having to leave campus to buy a proper meal since The Commons only holds a salad bar.

“I’m tired of eating a salad. I feel like my needs aren’t being addressed and I’m being forced to find alternative locations instead of eating comfortably at The Commons,” said Casillas.

“I remember attending the Taste of India event here, Fall 2022 semester. I was excited to learn about a different culture within the realms of dance and food, but the university doesn’t accommodate individuals with dietary restrictions. I was left with only two vegetable samosas on my plate compared to others who had plentiful cultural dishes,” said Vasquez.

While some universities have responded to the requests for plant-based options, CSUSB has fallen behind in efforts to make any significant changes. In contrast, a nearby university, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, has reported hiring a nutritionist to ensure vegan and vegetarian students have a plenitude of on-campus dining options to select from.

Jasmine Llamas, a junior CSUSB student, highlights the importance of introducing alternatives into every food eatery location on campus.

“I believe introducing these alternatives could also benefit students who aren’t plant-based but may not be able to consume most dairy or meat products,” said Llamas.

The lack of plant-based options at CSUSB is not only inconvenient but detrimental to students’ health. According to the Innova Health & Nutrition Survey, nearly 23% of 18-to25-year-olds maintain a vegan or vegetarian diet. The survey also found that this number is increasing, noting that nearly a third of young adults increased their plant-based protein consumption in 2021.

Students are now looking to hold the campus accountable for ignoring their needs but find themselves struggling in the effort to rally others into taking action. CSUSB is known as a commuter school, which means many students do not live on campus and are accustomed to hours. This can be especially problematic for students who work part-time jobs or have other responsibilities that limit their availability.

Another barrier that commuters face is the cost of transportation. Many college students who commute rely on public transportation or personal vehicles to get to campus, both of which can be expensive. This added expense can make it difficult for students to justify spending additional money on health services when they are already struggling to make ends meet.

Commuters may feel disconnected from the campus community, which can make it harder for them to access health services. Students who live on campus are more likely to have close relationships with their peers and may be more aware of the resources available to them. Commuters, on the other hand, may feel isolated and unsure of where to turn for help.

While health services offered on college campuses can be a valuable resource for all students, commuters may face unique challenges when trying to take advantage of them.

Addressing these barriers will be important in ensuring all students have equal access to the services they need to stay healthy searching for outside sources of vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based meals, or can cook these meals at home.

“It’s hard to get a group of students rallied together to launch a petition or peaceful protest demanding more plantbased options on campus when the majority of students attend classes then leave,” said Juliana Leal, senior CSUSB student. “I’m an advocate for how important it is for the university to take the dietary needs of its students seriously.”

According to the latest College Pulse survey of 2,000 since going plant-based my ecological footprint has lowered significantly,” said Llamas. “If more students have access to planet-based options and incorporate them into their diets, they would also be able to see a change in their footprints which would be extremely beneficial for our environment.”

It’s time for CSUSB to take action and provide more plant-based options on campus for its students. The university has a responsibility to ensure that all students have access to healthy and sustainable food items. By doing so, CSUSB can promote not only a healthier environment but the health of its students while keeping up with the ever-growing demand for