Thread by @ShimmeringShoes

@JMU @JMUAlumni @JMUDining Reflecting on my days as a Muslim student from '01-'05. Ramadan fell during 1st semester finals. I would be fasting during finals. At no point did #JMU acknowledge or support Muslim students during that very important religious and academic time. (1/x)

@JMU @JMUAlumni @JMUDining Same thing is happening now for current Dukes - Ramadan and finals. How can #JMU be inclusive and an advocate for all students? Some suggestions: (2/x)

@JMU @JMUAlumni @JMUDining: 1) Prep to-go breakfasts for students for suhoor. Fruit, a yogurt parfait, whole wheat bagels, egg sandwiches, portable quiches, to-go smoothies - things students can grab a day or two in advance. Many on-campus don't have access to a kitchen. (3/x)

@JMU @JMUAlumni @JMUDining: 2) Give alternate testing options for students while fasting. Have you gone 10 mins into your lunch hour with that headache? Imagine testing on it. Profs can offer it, even if students don't use it. You do it for athletes. (4/x)

@JMU @JMUAlumni: 3) POST ABOUT IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. Literally, EVERY other occasion gets a shoutout except Ramadan. Acknowledge, address, include your Muslim students. Diversity continues to be an issue at #JMU - it's these things that make students want to be part of JMU. (5/x)

@JMU @JMUAlumni: 4) A training series on "what is Ramadan" to professors. Nothing fancy - an hour on what this month is to your Muslim students (and staff) and how to support (say "Ramadan Mubarak!", check in on them, etc). (6/x)

@JMU @JMUAlumni 5) An iftar, hosted by school dignitaries - Pres Alger, other VPs - something to show advocacy and community around Muslim students. Don't just host it - fast with students to know how it feels. Obvs. better post-pandemic (7/x)

@JMU @JMUAlumni These are small steps. There isn't much you need to change. You just need to ACKNOWLEDGE and ADVOCATE. I'm not asking you to make Muslim students more important but to equalize them to other student groups. I would be so much more proud as an alumni (8/x)

@JMU In short - do more, do better. After 16 years, I thought there would be change. 16 years of student and alumni voices - and still no mention of Ramadan on ANY social, which means there is less on campus. (9/x)

@JMU Why do I get a yearly "holiday" card in December but nothing during this month-long religious observation? Does my holiday time not count to #JMU? Do you not care to wish current students and alumni well wishes? (10/x)

@JMU Thank you for reading through. I love JMU - truly. But I want more, I want better, I want change. I want it to be the school it wants to be - academically and socially. BE THE CHANGE. (11/11)

@JMUAlumni @JMUEngaged @JMUNews @jmusrbov @JMUCivic @JMUDining - Tagging you because you can help and advocate. You can make that difference for students. Please read the thread.

Reach out for any follow ups!