Some NC State students involved in the Humane League, a grassroots animal advocacy nonprofit organization, are participating in Meatless Monday, an initiative that seeks to encourage participants to give up meat for health and environmental benefits.
“An agricultural school having Meatless Mondays is an interesting contradiction,” said John Kittrell, a sophomore studying fisheries and wildlife sciences.
In the “HOWL,” an email sent to students by Student Body President Khari Cyrus, a few questions were posed before more details were given: “Care about the environment? Want to make healthier choices? Love your dog or cat (and maybe cows and pigs)?”
Many students, including Jonathan Riggs, a senior studying animal science, seemed to think that the email endorsed Meatless Mondays.
“The SBP appeared to endorse/support meatless Mondays in this week’s howl and refuses to send out a follow up to clarify,” Riggs said.
Some even believed that there was an attack on the livestock production in the United States.
“As an agricultural student at this accredited university, I proudly support cattle, poultry, and pork farmers across our country,” said Abby Whitaker, a senior studying agricultural science.
However, Cyrus claims that the HOWL is a way to communicate an optional movement that students could choose to participate in or not, and it is not endorsed by Student Government.
Cyrus even included in the HOWL last week: “The bottom portion that follows ‘Please be mindful of the following campus updates:’ are student submitted events that I copy and paste into the email. They aren’t an official endorsement by the Student Body President or Student Government.”
Some NC State students support the option of Meatless Mondays.
“I attended UNC-Asheville, and they actually have this,” said Hunter Kemp, a senior studying fisheries and wildlife sciences. “However, the student body here is completely different, and I could see why a lot of people have a problem with it … the people who are straight up rude and shoot down the idea immediately need to chill … Don’t shoot down a progressive idea just because you think it’s outrageous.”
The dining halls do offer vegetarian options and encourage students to go meatless at least once a week for the increased health benefits.
“As of right now, University Dining is not affiliated or involved,” said Soumya Nadabar, a senior studying economics and global studies. She is one of 30 student organizers of the Humane League promoting Meatless Monday.
The Meatless Monday movement website claims that going meatless once a week may “reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.”
According to Mayo Clinic, “a National Cancer Institute study of 500,000 people found that those who ate the most red meat daily were 30 percent more likely to die of any cause during a 10-year period than those who ate the least amount of red meat.”
There are also environmental benefits to joining the Meatless Monday initiative in that it cuts back on the use of fossil fuels and natural resources such as water, according to the Meatless Monday website.
“This pledge is about empowering students to make decisions that reduce their impact on the environment and on animals,” Nadabar said.
Students interested in signing the Meatless Monday pledge can find it at http://ncstate.meatlessmondaypledge.com/.
