Kosher options remain slim despite the university's efforts to increase them.

Students can eat kosher at a hot dog stand, Grin's Vegetarian Cafe, frozen dinners sold at Varsity Markets and a weekly Shabbat dinner.

But not all students are aware of the options.

"I didn't know about the hot dog stand," said freshman Ben Simoff. "They should make the options more publicized."

Simoff expressed concern over the diversity of choices as well.

"There are people who try to keep kosher that have been eating salads since they got here. They don't know all that's available," he said.

Andrea Gilman, program director of the Jewish life organization Vanderbilt Hillel, said students are asking more about kosher food on campus.

"More students are interested in taking advantage of the options that are there," she said.

The interest is leading to more discussion of kosher dining within Hillel.

Ari Dubin, executive director of Hillel, said this effort is not only about catering to Jewish students but about making Vanderbilt friendlier to all students.

Gilman agreed.

"Kosher isn't something that is separate. It has to be accessible to everyone," she said.

For example, Grin's, located in the Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life, has been popular among students since its debut in 2002 because it offers quality vegetarian and vegan alternatives.

"Grin's is the perfect example of how (quality kosher options) can benefit the whole campus community," Dubin said.

Rabbi Saul Strosberg, who often serves Friday night Shabbat dinners and participates in events hosted by Hillel, said more students who did not practice kosher dining before coming to Vanderbilt are trying it as a way of bonding with other students.

"College is a time for trying new things," Strosberg said. "It's a cool value."

Kosher laws limit certain products that observers can eat. According to scripture, milk and meat are not to be eaten together, and meat must be slaughtered ritually in a Jewish manner.

During Passover, one cannot eat leavened products, which rules out breads.

"(Kosher dining) really creates the kind of environment we want to foster here," Dubin said. "It's really important that those needs are0 met on campus."