Spirituality Resources & Information

Stevens Institute of Technology recognizes that some students may have sincerely held religious dietary requirements or documented medical dietary restrictions that substantially limit their ability to utilize the University's dining program.

When available dining services cannot reasonably meet a student's dietary needs, the University may provide alternative dining accommodations, including meal plan modifications or reductions.

Meal Plan Accommodation and Adjustment Request Process

Students who have a sincerely held religious dietary requirement or documented medical dietary restriction that substantially limits their ability to utilize the University’s meal plan and dining program may submit a request for meal plan accommodation or adjustment by emailing [email protected] and [email protected].

Meal Plan Cancellation and Changes

Meal plan charges are based on the meal plan membership selected or assigned, not based on meal plan usage. Meal plans can be changed during the first 2 weeks of the semester as long as the desired meal plan meets the Stevens residency requirements. Meal plans can also be changed to a higher plan anytime throughout the semester. Meal plan cancellations will not be granted after the second week of the semester.

Student Request Requirements Students may be considered for review when they have submitted the following information in their email request: Religious Dietary Restrictions

• A personal statement describing the religious dietary practice

• Explanation of why existing campus dining options do not meet their needs

• Attestation that the practice is part of a sincerely held religious belief

Medical Dietary Restrictions

• A personal statement describing their allergies and/or medical dietary restrictions

• Explanation of why existing campus dining options do not meet their needs

• Attached documented medical records, doctor’s note, etc.

Decision Process After receiving the student request email, Dining Services will consider the following in their evaluation: existing menu options, cross-contact concerns, religious preparation requirements, nutritional adequacy, potential menu modifications, special ordering options, packaged certified foods, dietary consultation. The student will receive a response with one or a combination of the following outcomes:

• Existing accommodations/meal plan sufficient

• Additional dining support needed

• Reduced residential meal plan

• Commuter meal plan

• Full exemption (rare cases)

Questions? Please contact [email protected] and [email protected]

• The Quiet Space on the Ground Floor of the Wellness Center is open for prayer and reflection 24/7

• The Intercultural Space on the 2nd Floor of the University Center is open for prayer whever the building is open.

• Student groups, including the Muslim Student Association, Stevens Hillel, Newman Catholic, Stevens Christian Fellowship, Stevens Sikh Student Association and others, host prayer groups, services and community gatherings regularly during the academic year. See DuckLink for more information.

• Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to connect, listen, and talk about faith each semester at the Winter and Spring Interfaith Summits. These events include representatives from many student faith-based organizations on campus and invited religious leaders from the local community. Contact [email protected] for more information.

• Dining: Pierce Dining Hall sells Suhoor snacks and provides to-go containers for anyone fasting to accommodate your fasting schedule. Please ask the cashier for assistance.

  • To-Go Containers available to students observing Ramadan so food can be carried out for when students break their fast. These will be available upon request at the cashier station when students swipe in.

  • Halal Certified Chicken will be clearly labeled as "Halal" on menus within the main dining hall and served at our Delicious Without station. Other halal items will be clearly labeled as well upon availability. Halal Certified Chicken will also be available at the following UCC locations: Pom & Honey, Tu Taco.

  • Suhoor Snacks will be available for purchase in the Micromarket at Pierce

• Academic Considerations*: If you need flexibility with a class (like needing time for prayer or taking a test at an alternate time due to fasting), reach out to your faculty member for assistance in advance.

• Events: See all details and RSVP for the following events on Ducklink:

  • Prayers & Iftars: The Muslim Student Association hosts Jummah and Taraweeh prayers. Iftars will also take place each week during the month.

  • Eid al-Fitr: Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is a time for celebration after a month of fasting. The Office of Student Culture and Belonging and Muslim Student Association hosts an Eid Al-Fitr Community Dinner where all Stevens community members are welcome to attend.

  • The Quiet Space: Located in the lower level of the Wellness Center, the Quiet Space is available 24/7 for prayer and reflection

• Community Support: If you are unsure about how to support someone during Ramadan, don’t hesitate to ask them privately if they need anything. This is the largest religious holiday in the Muslim faith, so it is appropriate to wish students and colleagues a blessed Ramadan or “Ramadan Mubarak”.

Certain religious and cultural observances (listed below) take place during the fall and spring semesters which may affect people in the Stevens community when the university is open. While the university will be open for business and classes on these days and many classes, meetings, events, and other activities will occur, we ask that you try to avoid scheduling institutional or departmental events (i.e., events which involve large groups of people) on these days, or assigning work, quizzes, exams or class presentations that are due upon these days.

While all are asked to keep these dates in mind and share them with others who are scheduling meetings and other events, any unintentional oversight of a date listed below should not be seen as indicative of bias.

Faculty and staff who are absent from work to observe these or other religious or cultural observances should consult the new Policy on Time Away from Stevens’ Responsibilities for Religious Observance to understand the vacation and personal day policies applicable to them and inform their supervisor or department chair (or dean) of any planned absences. Faculty should note such absences on their syllabus and work to make arrangements to reschedule classes and assignments, as appropriate.

Students who are absent from class for these or other religious or cultural observances should inform their faculty and work study supervisors in advance of their absence, preferably at the start of the semester. Faculty and supervising staff will work with such students to accommodate their religious or cultural observances to the extent possible within the academic calendar, Stevens’ policies and other requirements of the course or program.

2025

• Rosh Hashanah – September 22-24; begins at sundown September 22

• Mid-Autumn Festival – October 6

• Yom Kippur – October 1-2; begins at sundown October 1

• Diwali – October 20

2026

• Lunar New Year – February 17

• Ramadan – February 17-March 18

• Holi* – March 4–5; begins at sundown March 4

• Eid al-Fitr* – March 19–20; begins at sundown March 19

• Passover – April 1–9; begins at sundown April 1

• Good Friday – April 3

• Easter Sunday – April 5

• Eid al-Adha* – May 26–27; begins at sundown May 26

*Dates may vary by moon sighting, religious tradition or regional practice.

Retaliation against any employee or student who is absent from work or classes for a religious or cultural observance (as discussed in this memorandum) is prohibited by Stevens’ policies and should be reported to the Division of Human Resources or Division of Student Affairs, as applicable.

Stevens Institute of Technology (“Stevens”) is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse community where employees and students of all religious beliefs and practices are respected and welcomed. The Division of Human Resources publishes a yearly calendar of holidays identifying the dates that university offices are closed and classes are not held. Additionally, the Divisions of Student Affairs and Human Resources circulate an annual notice to provide guidance on scheduling larger institutional events, giving exams, and assigning coursework on days on which certain religious observances occur. This Policy sets forth Stevens’ commitment to providing reasonable accommodations for time away from work, study and athletic responsibilities for religious observances of Stevens’ faculty, staff, and students on those days on which university offices are open and classes are in session.

Requests should be submitted as early as possible at the start of the semester and, whenever possible, at least 14 days in advance using the Religious Accommodation Request Form. Employees must also notify their supervisor, department chair, or dean to allow for planning and coverage. Faculty should note planned absences in their syllabi and make necessary arrangements for course activities. Students who anticipate being absent from class, athletics, or work-study assignments should inform their instructors, coaches, or supervisors at the start of the semester or as early as possible. Faculty and staff are expected, within the constraints of university policies, academic calendars, and course or program requirements, to work with students to identify reasonable accommodations. All requests will be reviewed in accordance with the Policy to determine whether they can be granted without creating an undue burden on academic or operational responsibilities.