VCU provides support for our community celebrating Ramadan
Ramadan is a sacred month in the Islamic calendar during which Muslims around the world observe fasting from dawn to sunset, engage in prayer and contemplation, and perform acts of charity. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Sunday, March 10 and will end on Tuesday, April 9 contingent upon the sighting of the new moon. We encourage everyone to learn more about Ramadan to foster a culture of inclusivity and respect within our diverse university community.
For those who will observe Ramadan, fasting may require abstaining from food and drink daily from sunrise to sunset. To support members of our university community while honoring their religious obligations, some adjustments may be necessary to participate in the various aspects of Ramadan. We advise students to proactively engage with their instructors to anticipate potential conflicts and explore possible accommodations, and we advise faculty and staff to support students by exercising understanding and flexibility during this important time for Muslim students. Some students may require accommodations. We appreciate the cooperation of faculty and staff in ensuring an inclusive and supporting learning environment for all. Support will enable students to meet course requirements while remaining spiritually connected to the holy month’s practices.
VCU Dining will have bagged meals for students which will be located at Market 810 and in Za'atar in the University Student Commons. Signage will be available to help students participating in Ramadan understand where and how they can get the bagged meals. To-go options will also be available at Market 810, Za'atar, and Ram's Coop.
- Za’atar, in the Monroe Park Campus Student Commons, serves Mediterranean cuisine flavored with spices from around the globe with made-to-order wraps and bowls. All dishes are produced in compliance with halal standards. Za’atar is open Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.- 9 p.m., Friday from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and closed on Saturday and Sunday.
- Ram’s Coop, located at the corner of Laurel and Grace Street, serves halal-certified chicken tenders and vegan chick’n tenders and is open Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Market 810, inside Shafer Court Dining Center, serves halal-certified chicken with the exception of the fried chicken nuggets at the grill. There is also a large variety of vegan and vegetarian options. Market 810 is open Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m. and Friday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Ram City Market, located at 912 W. Grace Street, is a full grocery store where students may use their meal plans with many options to prepare in their dorms. Ram City Market is open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-1 a.m., Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Members of our community needing adjusted meal options at campus dining locations should contact Bryan Kelly with Aramark at kellybm@vcu.edu or kelly-bryan@aramark.com, or they could reach out to the registered dietitian, Quinn Taylor at dietitian@vcu.edu.
For further information, visit the University Counseling Services website, and for additional support and advocacy, contact Brooke Berry, associate vice president for strategic initiatives, belonging and inclusion at inclusive@vcu.edu.