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From: Office of the Dean of Students

Dear OSU Students,

Welcome to another exciting and busy academic year at Oregon State University! We are writing to share a reminder regarding religious holidays and observances and to confirm that the university is committed to providing support for students whose religious observance may have an impact on classes, schedules and dietary needs. 

We request that faculty work with all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of learning modality, as outlined in OSU’s Religious Accommodation of Students Policy. It is incumbent on the student making the request to notify their faculty member or supervisor as soon as possible prior to the need for accommodation, although we recognize that holidays closely aligned with the start of a term may make that difficult. Students should work directly with their faculty member on these requests, and we ask that faculty provide reasonable accommodations to allow for the completion of any missed course deliverables. Faculty and staff are able to approve requests for religious accommodations without consultation, but must first contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access before denying a request.

Below we provide information regarding dining and food options available on the Corvallis campus and at OSU-Cascades.

If you have any questions, concerns or recommendations, please do not hesitate to directly contact the Office of the Dean of Students or Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.

We wish you all a great start to fall term.

 Stephen Jenkins, Ed.D., Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Acting Dean of Students

[email protected]

Becky Bangs, Executive Director for Equal Opportunity and Access, Title IX & ADA Coordinator

[email protected]

Corvallis Campus Resources

Quiet Spaces:

Quiet spaces are offered on the third floor of the Student Experience Center (hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and in the International Living Learning Center (ILLC) Multi-Faith Room, located on the fourth floor. Foot-washing stations are located in the restrooms on the fourth floor of the ILLC. Residence Hall lounges are available to serve as quiet spaces for on-campus residents as well. No reservations are required and these spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dining and Food Options:

Residential students in Corvallis practicing a faith-based diet who need to develop a plan that will meet dietary needs for upcoming holidays and beyond should visit the housing portal and fill out a dietary needs request for assistance. Students can also use the housing portal to submit suggestions about specific foods that could be added to campus convenience stores and dining centers or access to spaces for meal preparations, etc.

Food in all UHDS dining centers is labeled for dietary preferences and allergen needs. UHDS carries many Halal-Friendly and Kosher-certified packaged goods, as well as a variety of whole foods (fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains) at Cascadia Market in the International Living Learning Center building. For more information about all available food options, restaurants and menus, please visit the University Housing & Dining Services website: https://uhds.oregonstate.edu/menus/nutrition-info-and-special-dietary-needs

OSU-Cascades Resources

Quiet Spaces:

Quiet space is offered on floor one of the Student Success Center beginning in Winter 2025. This room will serve in a meditation/multi-faith quiet space for students, and will be available on a first-come, first served basis. Foot-washing stations are located in the private bathroom on floor one.

Dining and Food Options:

Any residential student at OSU-Cascades practicing a faith-based diet and who needs to develop a plan that will meet dietary needs for upcoming holidays and beyond, should email [email protected] for assistance with special food needs or dietary concerns.

Andy Frei and Madi Mather also can help students living in residence who need access to meal preparation space and students can submit requests to [email protected].

To request this information in an alternative format please contact [email protected].

Send Date: 
Monday, September 30, 2024