Student Services and Support During Ramadan 2024

Dear student leaders –

Ramadan is quickly approaching, and we want to express our support for students who are a part of the Muslim faith.

Because you are an officer in a Muslim-affiliated student organization, we are seeking your partnership in making the following information about student services and support available to members of your respective organizations and any other peers you think would find the information helpful.

Please forward the following information to your members. Thank you for helping us support students.

Academics

Most students settle their academic accommodations by Feb. 10, but if you still need to complete that process or your circumstances have changed, please immediately consult with your professor or graduate student instructor. If you need assistance, please submit a request to evcp@berkeley.edu or visit the academic accommodations hub. You can also learn more about the accommodation of religious creed policy.

You may also refer to a CalMessage email (“Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr”) sent to all faculty and students for full details on academic accommodations.

Additionally, the ASUC Senate has created an email template students may use to inform instructors about their Ramadan accommodation needs, including during any midterms or tests.

Dining

During Ramadan, from March 10–April 9, all dining commons (Café 3, Crossroads, Clark Kerr, and Foothill) will be open and offer carry-out containers/meals, and other services.

• Students may ask the cashier when they enter for a carry-out container they can fill at any dining commons.
• To-go meals will also be available upon request to Muslim-identifying students in all dining commons. Students can take two to-go meals (dinner + breakfast). They will include a box of items, including bananas, dried dates, yogurt, orange juice, bagels, milk, English muffins, boiled eggs, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
• Halal meat is served at all dining locations.
• Breakfast items will be available during all meal periods, including breakfast cereal, assorted fruit, milk, and juice, and can be placed in the carry-out containers provided by the cashiers.
• This year, we will have specialty meals at the beginning and end of Ramadan, which use halal-certified proteins (provided by Mary’s Chicken and Creekstone Farms). Our plans include the following:
  • A Ramadan welcome meal on Sunday, March 10, 2024, which will include jeweled basmati rice, butter chicken, roasted vegetables, naan, dolma, and kheer coconut rice pudding.
  • An Eid al-Fitr celebration meal on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, will include braised halal lamb with dates, fish biryani, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, dolma, and baklava.
• Students do not need a meal plan to eat in the dining commons; guests can pay for individual meals. Undergraduate and graduate students and their families are welcome. See cash/Cal 1 Card debit pricing at dining.berkeley.edu/visiting/.

Prayer and Meditation Spaces

• Berkeley Muslim Student Association has a list of prayer spaces on campus and the surrounding area. Some are included below.
• Southside: Eshleman Hall room 40 (open 8am-10pm Monday-Friday, Saturday 10am-6pm).
• Northside: Sutardja Dai Hall meditation space, accessed via Yali’s Café (open 8am-3pm Monday-Friday).
• Moffitt Library: Room 501 (view hours on the Moffitt website).
• On-campus housing: For Ramadan, additional prayer and meditation spaces will be available March 10-April 10.
  • Unit 1 Christian Hall room L08 (open 8am-8pm, Monday-Friday), for Unit 1 residents only
  • Unit 2 Towle Hall room L17 (open 8am-8pm, Monday-Friday and 9am-6pm Saturday), for Unit 2 residents only
  • Foothill Library in Building 8 room 818L (open 1-8pm, Monday-Friday), for Foothill/Stern residents only
  • Clark Kerr Campus CK3-116 aka Seminar Room C (open 1-8pm, 7 days/week), for Clark Kerr Campus residents only
  • Blackwell Hall presentation room (open 8am–5pm, Fridays), for Blackwell Hall residents only

Recreation

Berkeley Recreation and Wellbeing (RecWell) will be offering increased hours at Memorial Stadium Fitness Center. From March 11-March 22, the weekday hours will be extended until 11pm. Please note that the facility is closed on weekends, and will also be closed the week of spring break. Extended hours until 11pm will be offered again from April 1-9.

RecWell also has online classes that students may follow/use at their convenience.

Transportation to Berkeley Masjid 

Looking for transportation to Berkeley Masjid for prayers?

• The Student EasyPass provides free access to AC Transit, which operates in the evening hours. Nearby bus stops include the 6, 51B, 604, 605, and 851. The 51B stop is near Berkeley Masjid at College Ave. and Derby St.
• BearWalk escort (dusk-2:30am) To book a free walking escort call, (510) 642-9255 (642-WALK) or visit BearWalk.berkeley.edu.
• 3am-5:30am there are door-to-door shuttle services that can be requested in advance.
• March 30 to April 10, Parking & Transportation will provide a dedicated shuttle with the following schedule:

 

Student Resident to  Berkeley Masjid

 

Berkeley Masjid to Student Resident

We hope that you and your members will find these resources useful and supportive as you celebrate the month of Ramadan.

In community,

Stephen C. Sutton (he/him/his)
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Dania Matos (she/her/ella)
Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion