by Zayd Hamid

Okay, so we got through the first step of getting ready for college last week. Now, you’re probably thinking, I’ve figured out the school I want to attend, and my classes are all set, so I’m all good right? Wait…what’s that grumbling noise in my stomach region?

Oh yeah, I forgot to eat!

So your first thought is to visit the local Commons area or the dining hall, but, you don’t want to spend your first semester wondering if the “Freshman 15” rule is actually true by dining on McDonald’s and Taco Bell all day. Besides, you’re used to eating halal, or maybe you’re vegan. What on earth do you do?

That’s simple: Request dining options!

Now, how can that be done? Zayd explains through his experience at George Mason University.

“We’ve had people send requests for cultural food days,” he says. “Students will go to their dining council and recommend certain foods be placed on the menus.” At George Mason University, student leaders – including many from the university’s student government – meet regularly with dining administrators through the Student Culinary Council. If a forum like this does not exist at your university, you can take initiative to set one up! Zayd, alongside other student leaders like Evanna Koury and Liam Keen, played an active role in rebuilding the council post-pandemic.

By doing so, he helped minority students get the dining experiences they were familiar with at home while at school. The council’s work also led to expanded allergen-friendly retail dining options such as the Difference Baker, resulting in the university being recognized as the first-ever Spoken Verified College for allergen transparency and allergen-friendly dining options. The growth in student demand for vegetarian and vegan options resulted in a new dining hall opening, The Spot, which only serves meat-free dishes. 

In May of 2023, thanks to Zayd’s advocacy in the council, date fruit was made available in every dining hall for Muslim students to break their fast during Ramadan. Zayd’s leadership in food equity also extended to retail dining. “I helped get a halal restaurant chain, Halal Guys, a franchise location on campus; I spoke at their grand opening,” he continued. “It is important to me that campus dining has diverse food options available to serve the Mason community.”

Achievements in advocacy and food equity like Zayd’s are possible when students work with others to build structures that inform change-making inclusive of community needs.

(Zayd Hamid is the 2023 Student Advocate of the Year, member of the National Institute of Lobbying and Ethics, member of the National Society for Leadership and Success, and a current Master of Public Policy student at George Mason University. Find out more about his resume services by visiting his LinkedIn page.)