A Tapestry of Beliefs, A Community United: By accommodating diverse religious needs, we cultivate a campus environment that celebrates the richness and uniqueness of many faiths
Dining
USC places an emphasis on cultivating a campus environment that is not only inclusive and respectful but also mindful of the various religious affiliations and spiritual needs of our diverse student body – from offering an array of dietary options to fostering inclusive living-learning communities and ensuring respect for the observance of varied religious holidays. Our goal is to create a culture where each student, irrespective of their faith, feels completely at home and is able to practice and engage with their religious beliefs wholeheartedly.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Some Jewish dietary rules include avoiding pork, shellfish, and combining meat and dairy. During Passover, additional restrictions like avoiding leavened bread are observed.
- During Lent, some Christians abstain from meat on Fridays or undertake fasting.
- Muslims avoid pork and alcohol, and some prefer halal meat. During Ramadan, they fast from dawn to dusk.
- Baháʼís abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset during their fasting month.
- Many Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain students follow a strict vegetarian diet.
USC Hospitality is committed to ensuring that every individual within our community can access a range of dietary options that not only satisfy their nutritional requirements but also honor their faith-based dietary practices, including extensive vegan and vegetarian choices for our Hindu and Jain community members and glatt kosher and halal selections for our Jewish and Muslim members. During the holy month of Ramadan, USC Hospitality also provides breakfast boxes for our Muslim students, recognizing the importance of Suhoor during this time.
For personalized assistance with religious-based dietary needs, contact the University’s registered dietician.
To request a religious-based meal plan downgrade or exemption, complete the Religious Accommodation Request Form and provide it to the individual designated on the form.
Campus Dining Serving Halal:
- The campus dining halls (USC Village, Everybody’s Kitchen, Parkside Restaurant & Grill) serve a variety of halal-friendly beef and chicken dishes.
- All dishes prepared with halal-friendly ingredients are labeled in the online menus and on the digital menu screens in the dining halls.
- Go here for more information on halal dining at USC.
Campus Dining Serving Glatt Kosher:
- The USC Village Dining Hall offers pre-packaged glatt kosher frozen meals, with a dedicated microwave provided for heating.
- Seeds Marketplace and Starbucks at Trojan Grounds offer glatt kosher grab n’ go meals.
OTHER DINING
USC’s Jewish partners in religious life, USC Chabad and USC Hillel, offer weekly Shabbat dinners, with Chabad also hosting a Rooftop Kosher Restaurant. The Muslim Student Union provides free iftar dinners during Ramadan on both the University Park Campus and the Health Sciences Campus. Additionally, the University Religious Center hosts the Jubilee Café every Tuesday at noon during the school year, offering a free vegan meal for students, faculty, and staff.
