After voting to become the first 100 per cent plant-based union by 2025, Stirling University will not be going ahead with this aim.
In November 2022, the Students’ Union made national headlines over the controversial passing of the plant-based motion, which was put forward by students involved in the Plant-Based Universities campaign.
It affected Union eateries Studio, Venue and Underground – previously of the Robbins Centre. University-owned eateries were excluded from the motion.
The Union achieved the motion’s aim to make their menu 50 per cent plant-based by the 2023/24 academic year.
Pause on meat-free catering
However, the transfer of Union eateries to the University’s Stirling Hotel Services Ltd. put the future of the motion into question.
On March 14, 2024, it was announced that the Robbins Centre could not operate under the Union charity anymore and would transfer ownership to the University.
The impact of RAAC closures and lack of customers were among the reasons for the transfer, with the Union sitting at a £180,000 deficit in April 2024.
After the transfer, the University commented that it was “excited to work with the Students’ Union on future catering options” but did not promise to fulfil the aims of the plant-based motion.
Is there demand for a plant-based Union?
The passing of the motion was controversial among the student body. Brig carried out a survey of 120 students’ opinions on the motion in 2023, which found that 64 per cent of respondents did not agree with a fully plant-based menu.
Motion seconder, Imogen Robertson, said they “don’t think there’s any way to argue” that the majority of the student body were not supportive of the motion.
Imogen is still passionate about it, though: “I think that that’s the most environmentally just thing to do.
“If I’m talking to people who are climate-oriented, support is 50/50. I’ve definitely met students who are pretty passionate about it and who know the science and what the empirical data looks like.”
Recognising that it was a “busy” and “stressful” time for the Union, Imogen felt that the Union had been “avoidant” of the motion’s progress since the transfer:
“I was working with the union on the plant-based menu. But after those initial conversations and the initial formulation of the new menu, they’d made it pretty clear that they weren’t going to go the full 100 per cent”.
The Robbins Centre facilities are sitting at 50 per cent plant-based, with vegan options that “look better” than they did in 2023, according to Imogen. Additionally, the University has implemented a 100 per cent plant-based menu at SUP.
How do the Uni and Union stand on the issue?
Brig asked the University if it was committed to achieving the aims of the plant-based motion. We also asked if there was collaboration with the Union to achieve this.
A spokesperson responded: “We are proud of the wide range of catering options available on campus, which include a number of vegan offerings and fully plant-based outlet SUP, and are committed to providing a choice for all.”
Addressing the same questions, a Union spokesperson responded:
“Following the transfer, Union personnel meet regularly with the Stirling Hotel Services Ltd team. This is demonstrated by the Vice President’s updates on disposable coffee cups and cutlery earlier this semester.
“The University have a range of plant-based options on the menu in Venue and will continue to monitor their offer to ensure they are responding to student demand.
“We will meet via the Robbins Working Group to provide feedback from students on services available and will provide any relevant information to members as and when we can.”
“We hope to see Stirling find its way back to the path”
Brig also reached out to Plant-Based Universities co-founder Nathan McGovern, who responded:
“Whilst we are saddened to see the University row back on the 2022 Students’ Union vote, we hope to be able to work to see a transition to 100 per cent plant-based catering at Stirling as soon as possible.
“We understand the tricky economic situation for the Union following the RAAC scandal, however recent research has indicated that plant-based menus are markedly less expensive than any alternatives.
Since the landmark vote two years ago, 11 more universities across the UK and Mainland Europe have seen their students vote for similar measures. We hope to see Stirling find its way back to the path.”
Feature Image Credit: The Vegan and Rights for Animals Society / Harry Williamson
Fourth-year English and Journalism student.
News Editor 2024/25.
Get in touch at news@brignews.com.
