• 56% of students surveyed answered that there were more than 100 Muslim students on campus, while 29% estimated there were between 50 and 100 Muslim students on campus.
  • 29% survey takers estimated that there were between 50-100 Muslims on campus. These figures were based on attendance of Muslims at Muslim events on campus. Many estimated that the number of actual Muslims on campus to be higher than the attendance seen at Muslim-oriented campus events.

The 2010 USA College/University Halal Survey, created by IFANCA, is the first ever survey that inquires into the availability of halal meals and the demand for it on US university and college campuses. It also inquires into young halal consumers’ tastes, meal choices, and preferences. The data was collected from an electronic survey distributed through Muslim Student Associations (MSA) at 135 major universities and colleges across the United States. Approximately 1000 responses were received and the rate of completion of the survey was 85%. The survey was conducted between the months of May and June, 2010.

The impetus for the survey were issues such as those brought to light in the article, “Equal Service for Equal Fees”, published in the Summer 2009 issue of the IFANCA publication, Halal Consumer magazine. Muslim students, according to the article, even freshman who have no choice but to live in on- campus dorms, were not offered meals that adhered to their dietary needs. They were, however, charged the same fees, despite not being able to use the meal plan for more than salads, bread and vegetarian entrees. According to another article, “Universities Give Halal Lip Service” at some universities, kosher kitchens were being passed off as kosher-halal kitchens, without any halal meat being served at all. For instance, Mount Holyoke at South Hadley, Massachusetts undertook the high costs associated with segregating dairy from meat in their kosher kitchen, but only served halal meat during Ramadan from fall 2010 onwards, almost ten years after the inception of the Halal-Kosher Kitchen at Mount Holyoke.

 

Pie chart showing the types of halal food service programs on campuses

  • More than 77% of all survey takers testified that there were absolutely no halal meal services available on campus.
  • Nearly 12% of campuses surveyed had partial halal meal services.

 

Pie chart showing the student status of survey takers

  • Survey takers indicated that some universities did provide halal meals on important days of the Islamic calendar; that partial halal meal services lacked variety; or had halal meals that lacked taste and/or quality.
  • 11% of campuses offered halal meals only during important Islamic months (such as Ramadan).
  • 53% of students voted for halal meals that comprised of an equal mix between ethnic (Middle Eastern or South Asian), as well non-ethnic, American (hotdogs, tacos and pizza) food choices.

 

Pie chart showing how many meals consumed at each of the following places

  • Survey takers indicated that some universities did provide halal meals on important days of the Islamic calendar; that partial halal meal services lacked variety; or had halal meals that lacked taste and/or quality.
  • 11% of campuses offered halal meals only during important Islamic months (such as Ramadan).
  • 53% of students voted for halal meals that comprised of an equal mix between ethnic (Middle Eastern or South Asian), as well non-ethnic, American (hotdogs, tacos and pizza) food choices.