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After surveying college students across the country, PETA has compiled its first-ever list of the best vegetarian- and vegan-friendly university dining halls. These schools—from the East Coast’s NYU to California’s UC-Santa Cruz (with several stops in between)—have gone the extra mile to ensure that both long-time vegetarians and students just looking for an alternative to meat-based meals have hot, hearty animal-free options. The schools’ offerings include an all-vegan Thanksgiving dinner, complete with Tofurky (a popular tofu "turkey"); abundant ethnic dishes, such as Indian, Thai, and Japanese specialties; vegan versions of American favorites, including burgers and pizza; and a "vegan station" where students can stir-fry their own veggies and rice.

Ready to root for Team Veg? Then check out our complete list of the top 10 veg-friendly college cafeterias: New York University, New York, N.Y. University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, Calif. Columbia University, New York, N.Y. Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind. College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va. Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Smith College, Northampton, Mass. Elmira College, Elmira, N.Y. Bowdoin College, Bowdoin, Maine

Even if your school didn’t make the cut, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for "mystery meat" day in and day out. As students around the country have learned, veganizing the school cafeteria is often as easy as pie. Here’s how: First, make an appointment with the head of your school’s food service. Tell the campus cooks exactly what you want (hot vegan options at every meal) and what you don’t want (like chicken broth in the beans and rice—chickens aren’t vegetables!). Be prepared to talk health. This one’s easy, because the science is on your side. Meat and milk are full of saturated fat and cholesterol that can clog arteries and lead to heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. Make it easy by offering recipe suggestions and tips on veganizing existing dishes. For example, beans can be used instead of beef in chili and burritos. Marinara sauce can substitute for meat sauce in pasta dishes, and pizza can be made with soy cheese or even no cheese (loaded with sauce and roasted veggies). If your cafeteria has comment cards, fill them out (and recruit your friends to help). If comment cards aren’t available, start a petition. You’ve got to show that students—even those who aren’t all-the-way vegetarian—want vegetarian options. The demand is there: Less than 10 percent of the students at the University of Missouri-Columbia are vegetarian, but up to 25 percent of them order meatless meals on a regular basis. Pitch it as a positive step that will benefit the whole school—from die-hard vegans and health-conscious athletes seeking alternatives to greasy burgers to students who just want to try something new.

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