The annual Boston University Dining Survey of student food preferences and dining behavior is a planning tool for university operations. The 2010 survey of 6,000 Boston University students found that “nearly 9%” of students are vegetarian and 1% are vegan.

The most important factors to students when making on-campus dining selections are food quality, convenience, cleanliness and overall experience. There is also strong student support for recycling and sustainability efforts.

With respect to special diets, 87% of students say they have no restrictions, while vegans comprise about 1.1% of students and vegetarians comprise about 10%. However, an estimated 70% of campus menus are said to be vegetarian “by default.”