Editorial:

CDS caters to Muslim students during Ramadan

Published Sept. 1, 2009

Correction appended

Campus Dining Services is the hidden hero on campus when it comes to cooperating with students on various issues. When the Muslim Student Organization came to CDS with issues concerning Ramadan, CDS sat down with students from MSO and actually made changes based on their suggestions.

During Ramadan, Muslims cannot eat between sunrise and sunset. In the past, this meant most Muslim students were out of luck when it came to eating in the dining halls. CDS did work with students on an individual basis.

This year, CDS is keeping some dining halls open past dusk. They are also offering more breakfast options in takeout places for students to purchase and eat the next morning before the dining halls open. In addition, Residence Halls will be allowing students to access keys to their community kitchen early in the morning so they may cook for themselves before the desks open.

This issue was only brought up last October. This problem was solved faster than it took for Muslim students to find a designated prayer space.

Other organizations should look to CDS as an example of how to work with students and find a satisfactory solution for all parties in a timely manner. It should not take years to get a problem solved. Instead of making students jump through hoops to get their problems addressed by all the proper channels, just find the solution that makes all parties happy. Stop giving students the runaround.

CDS has shown they are willing to accommodate many different subsets of students. Jewish students are given a refund during their fasting period and during Passover, CDS has some kosher items on the menu, and allows fasting students to get refunds if they desire them. There is also at least one vegetarian and vegan friendly meal in each dining hall, not including a veggie burger.

Thank you CDS for working with students. Other organizations on campus should take your lead. Students are more than willing to work with the proper channels in order to get problems solved. If only more organizations on campus could realize solving problems is really this simple.