Dear Faculty,
The month of Ramadan begins this week and we want to express our support for the Muslim campus community, in particular the Muslim student community. We are sharing the following information about services and accommodations that support a sense of belonging as students observe and practice their faith
While the exact dates depend on when the new moon is sighted, Ramadan will take place from March 22 to April 21, with Eid al-Fitr scheduled for April 21. This is a time of fasting, mindfulness, and prayer for the Muslim community. Those who observe abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours; reflect on how to let go of unhelpful habits or anger; and participate in charitable acts. After evening prayers and the sun sets, Muslims gather to break their fasts with a community meal. Eid al-Fitr is the culminating celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, lasting for three days with feasts, prayers, and other festivities.
We recognize that some students who will be fasting daily during the month of Ramadan might have a harder time maintaining their normal levels of focus and classroom participation. As their instructors, you could offer Muslim students early morning exam options or other relevant accommodations. Additionally, we want to amplify the policies UC Berkeley has in place to support the rights and responsibilities both instructors and students have with respect to course conflicts and accommodations of all types. Those policies are linked below and are also available at the Academic Accommodations Hub:
- Accommodation of Religious Creed
- Conflicts Between Extracurricular Activities and Academic Requirements
The Academic Senate has created guidelines for instructors and students to follow in navigating course conflicts and reasonable accommodations (seeChecklist for Scheduling Conflicts with Academic Requirements). You may also want to consult the resource on Eid and Ramadan accommodations prepared by the Berkeley Muslim Student Association
Student Affairs recently shared a comprehensive list of additional resources–including information about dining services; prayer and meditation spaces; and transportation to and from Berkeley Masjid–and we encourage you to visit their website to learn about and share them. Please note, this year’s Eid al-Fitr coincides with Cal Day, and the campus is welcoming our newly admitted bears to campus who are looking for these resources and support on campus.
Thank you for being a part of a welcoming, caring, and supportive campus community. We all have the opportunity to draw inspiration from Ramadan’s universal principles of giving thanks, kindness, and service as we live into UC Berkeley’s long-standing tradition of excellence in higher education.
In community, and Ramadan Mubarak!
Benjamin E. Hermalin
he/him
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Mary Ann Smart
she/her
Chair, Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate
Dania Matos
she/her/ella
Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion
Stephen C. Sutton
he/him
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs