Dark clouds over Emmanuel as petition sparks debateMatt Buck

Paul Rubenstein, a post-graduate student of computational biology at Emmanuel College, has launched an online petition for the quality of vegetarian food to be improved in his college buttery. The petition on Change.org currently has over 150 signatories, and has been addressed to the college’s Senior Tutor, Bursar and Master. In the petition, Rubenstein argues that the vegetarian options offered are “not of satisfactory standard”, despite the fact that “The catering department clearly has the capability to cook good food for all of its students, as evidenced by its numerous awards”. Nathan Aldous, one of the chefs at Emmanuel, has even been selected to represent Great Britain at the Culinary World Cup in November.

According to updates on the petition’s webpage, Emmanuel have recognised the importance of the issue, whilst also criticising the fact that the petition had been publicised using college mailing lists. Rubenstein accused the college of “censorship” by challenging his petition. Rubenstein hopes to make use of an apparent popular wave of support for his campaign, noting that “when the student body comes together and speaks their mind, the college has to listen.”

Speaking to Varsity, Rubenstein added that "In response to the petition the college has set up a meeting between students and the administration to discuss the matter; however many students will testify to the college's poor track record of dealing with complaints and feedback from students. Thus I will remain skeptical of high-level committee discussion until actual change is made and vegetarians are happy to eat the majority of their meals in the buttery." He has also extended his criticism to the communication methods practised by the college - arguing that the college should be more "proactive in seeking feedback from its students."

Comments posted on the webpage describe how vegetarians and vegans have been forced to eat elsewhere because of the poor quality of appropriate food provisions in the buttery, with Rubenstein arguing that “Students and staff at Emmanuel should not put up with the vegetarian food served in the buttery - they should look forward to it.”

Emmanuel College’s website advertises the buttery to prospective students with the message “Don’t worry if you are vegetarian, vegan or have special dietary requirements – these are catered for.” However, this petition has raised questions about the provision of vegetarian food across Cambridge colleges.

It remains unclear whether Rubenstein’s campaign will result in any changes in the Emmanuel College buttery, with the college’s MCR yet to make a decision on its reaction to the motion.