Ramadan Support:
Ramadan is a significant religious observance for many students, faculty, and staff at VCU. We encourage the campus community to engage in learning about this important month to better understand the experiences of those who observe it. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Friday, February 28 and will end on Saturday, March 29, contingent upon the sighting of the new moon. We encourage everyone to learn more about Ramadan to promote awareness and understanding 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. To support students in balancing their academic responsibilities with religious observances, we encourage proactive communication with faculty and staff regarding necessary adjustments. We appreciate the cooperation of faculty and staff in ensuring an inclusive and supporting learning environment for all.
VCU Dining will have to-go meals and bagged meals available for pickup for students at Market 810 and at 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, as well as pre-prepared meals. 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 engagement at inclusive@vcu.edu.