One of the clearest ways you can help students feel they fully belong at MIT is to provide food that matches their ethical convictions and their religious identities. According to MIT Dining, 8-10% of MIT undergraduate students choose a vegetarian or vegan diet. Some base their vegetarian diet on Hindu dietary laws, and many more avoid animal products out of ethical concerns.
MIT Chaplains estimate that 4% of undergraduates follow the halal dietary rules of Islam, and 1% follow the kosher rules of Judaism.
If your class, department, or student group is offering food, please consider including options that are kosher (Jewish), halal (Muslim), and vegan (Hindu/Jain). Since many people are less familiar with halal and kosher diets, ORSEL offers this guide to ordering inclusive meals for your events.
When scheduling events at MIT, it’s important to keep in mind religious holidays and observances that might affect students’ availability. For instance, some students may be observing fasts or other religious practices during holidays like Ramadan, Yom Kippur, or Diwali, and scheduling events around these times can make it easier for everyone to participate. Checking religious calendars and offering flexible timing can help ensure more students are able to attend.
In addition to this partial list of religious holidays from the Registrar’s Office, ORSEL offers this guide for event planners.