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TechnographUI to reimburse missed meals during Ramadan
By Meghan O'Kelly
Posted: 9/25/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Muslim students are adapting their campus lifestyles to the observance of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Occurring this year from sunset on Sept. 12 through Oct. 11, all willing able-bodied Muslims are required to fast between sunrise and sunset in addition to following other various practices.
University Housing is offering two options to fasting residents. Students may prepare sack meals for breakfast and lunch by notifying the supervisor upon entering the dining room. Students can also track their lunch and dinner meals missed during Ramadan and contact the University Housing Office to request reimbursement for the raw food cost of their missed meals. This cost is $2.05 for lunch and $3 for dinner.
Students who do not eat lunch or dinner meals during Ramadan will receive a maximum of seven lunch and seven dinner credits per week during the month. Students on the Six Classic plan will receive a maximum of six dinner credits each week.
Kirsten Ruby, assistant director of housing for marketing, said that the option is part of University Housing's commitment to accommodate all students.
"We try to be as inclusive as we can for people and their beliefs," she said.
Fatima Chishti is a resident advisor in the Florida Avenue Residence Halls and a member of the Muslim Student Association and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Having participated in the University's offer since her freshman year, she thinks the University should be able to credit students more money for each missed meal.
"I think it's a step in the right direction, definitely, but I don't believe it's the best (University Housing) can do, and I don't believe they fully understand the needs of Muslim students," Chishti, junior in LAS, said. "It's a religious obligation that we're trying to adhere to."
Although the dollar values of lunch and dinner credits are $6.95 and $9.95, respectively, Ruby explained that the difference in reimbursement comes from the preparation cost of the meals. This includes paying employees, utilities and other factors in maintaining dining halls.
University Housing is offering two options to fasting residents. Students may prepare sack meals for breakfast and lunch by notifying the supervisor upon entering the dining room. Students can also track their lunch and dinner meals missed during Ramadan and contact the University Housing Office to request reimbursement for the raw food cost of their missed meals. This cost is $2.05 for lunch and $3 for dinner.
Students who do not eat lunch or dinner meals during Ramadan will receive a maximum of seven lunch and seven dinner credits per week during the month. Students on the Six Classic plan will receive a maximum of six dinner credits each week.
Kirsten Ruby, assistant director of housing for marketing, said that the option is part of University Housing's commitment to accommodate all students.
"We try to be as inclusive as we can for people and their beliefs," she said.
Fatima Chishti is a resident advisor in the Florida Avenue Residence Halls and a member of the Muslim Student Association and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Having participated in the University's offer since her freshman year, she thinks the University should be able to credit students more money for each missed meal.
"I think it's a step in the right direction, definitely, but I don't believe it's the best (University Housing) can do, and I don't believe they fully understand the needs of Muslim students," Chishti, junior in LAS, said. "It's a religious obligation that we're trying to adhere to."
Although the dollar values of lunch and dinner credits are $6.95 and $9.95, respectively, Ruby explained that the difference in reimbursement comes from the preparation cost of the meals. This includes paying employees, utilities and other factors in maintaining dining halls.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
TruthSeeker
posted 9/25/07 @ 10:27 AM CST
Yeah, sure, even blatant special treatment of some obscure "religious needs" aren't enough. As if the dining halls workers cease being paid and having their own needs during the month of Ramadan, or they even care about some obsolete, senseless fasting based on the hallucinations of an illiterate 7th century trader. (Continued…)
michael
posted 9/25/07 @ 12:22 PM CST
Oh Jeez ,..... Cant you Muslims just say thank you for your consideration and leave it at that? As an orthodox Jew I have paid full board prices every semester even though all I eat in the dining halls is a bagel and some salad. (Continued…)
Holy Cucumber
posted 9/25/07 @ 1:25 PM CST
I ask - no, I demand - that University of Illinois dining halls submit to the needs of my religion.
I am the Holy Cucumber, representing the One and Only True Faith. (Continued…)
Cassidy C Browning
posted 9/25/07 @ 3:23 PM CST
If someone is not using/receiving a product that has been paid for, they should be reimbursed. The reason why is irrelevant. End of story.
Alum 05
posted 9/25/07 @ 5:05 PM CST
Dear Cassidy,
Here is a list of items/services I have paid for but have not used that I would like your help in getting reimbursed for...
car insurance
health insurance
half the channels on my cable
a can of chicken soup
the last two slices of pizza that got thrown away
2nd bedroom in my house (I never go in there!)
internet service for all the time I am sleeping
Thanks for the help
Adam
posted 9/25/07 @ 7:28 PM CST
Michael, "You Muslims" is an overgeneralization. As you may have noted, not all Muslims were complaining. And even if they were, so what? They don't want to pay for food and services that they are not consuming/using. (Continued…)
Adam
posted 9/25/07 @ 7:32 PM CST
Oh and Holy Cucomber dude(tte), how is this demanding the university submit to a particular religion?
adam
Kevin
posted 9/25/07 @ 7:45 PM CST
It's amazing to me that this level of hate speech continues. Depressing, really.
Sacred Onion
posted 9/25/07 @ 10:46 PM CST
To the Phony Cucumber:
As a representative of the TRUE true faith, it will be a cold day in the salad bar before us followers of the most holy spring onion will join you in your most evil and perverse ways. (Continued…)
whammer
posted 9/26/07 @ 12:46 PM CST
Does this apply to 40 days of Lent?? Just askin. Love to hear the answer to that.
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