My thoughts:

At my university, they were totally cool about letting me grow some tomatoes
and stuff around the corner of the building. They all grumbled at first, but
they turned on to the idea when my profs would pick a couple of tomatoes on the
way in in the morning.

The plants sort of became a focal point for our department. ANd you would be
amazed at how people, even in the middle of the city, will not damage your
plants. Even college students think that it's a pretty cool way to spend some
time.