RFOC, real food on campus, is the proper title of the diningestablishment more commonly referred to as Umphrey Lee. RFOC, aswell as the other dining areas on campus is consistently ratedhighly in terms of food selection, quality and atmosphere, etc.However, there are some things that could use work, one of thembeing the variety of foods offered to dietary minorities,specifically, vegetarians and vegans.

Vegetarians are not trendy new dieters; in fact 4 to 10 percentof the American population refer to themselves as vegetarian. Thenumber of vegans and vegetarians that do not eat any animalproducts such as milk, eggs or honey, is fewer, only about 2percent, but this is still a substantial portion of thepopulation.

At any given off-peak (not breakfast, lunch or dinner) time,there are approximately six items to make a meal out of: Ahamburger or veggie burger, a sandwich, a salad, cereal oreggs.

A typical omnivore can make a meal based around any of theseoptions. A vegetarian eating at the same time would only find threethings to eat, and a vegan would find only two.

Also, the foods offered during these off-peak times are notlikely to provide the nutritional ingredients necessary to maintaina healthy vegetarian or vegan diet. The lettuce used in salads hasnearly no nutritional value.

Peak hours provide more options for everyone as entrees areusually offered with assorted vegetables, however, there are stillfar fewer options for vegetarians and vegans.

With only two or three items to eat, vegetarians and veganslikely tire of RFOC even more rapidly than the rest of campus.

There are only so many times that a person can make the choice”veggie burger or salad” before they move on to a newlocale. But if you think Mac’s Place, the other schoolcafeteria will be of any assistance, think again. Vegetarian andvegan students will find it even harder to find something that fitstheir diets. Mac’s Place specializes in classic collegefavorites such as hamburgers, pizza and sandwiches.

Currently, about 20 percent of college students considerthemselves vegetarians and the number continues to grow. SMUstudents need to address student government with food serviceconcerns in order for changes to be implemented.

SMU dining services need to provide more vegetarian and veganoptions to its menu or else risk losing a noticeable portion oftheir clientele.