Beginning April 7, Thrive Without 9 became the first food station at Seattle University to offer halal-friendly meals. Revolution extended its hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays starting April 10, and Capitol Hill Deli introduced cheese and pepperoni personal pizzas on weekends beginning April 11. According to Redhawk Dining, these changes all come from student input
Redhawk Dining also launched a $0.25 discount for students who choose plates or reusable Ozzi boxes over compostable containers.
Andrew Gaynor, resident district manager for Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services, said the changes came through multiple feedback channels.
“We made these changes based directly on feedback, with students in mind,” Gaynor said. “We received this feedback in several ways, including our annual Voice to Vision Customer Satisfaction Survey in fall quarter and monthly meetings with the Food Service Advisory.”
The addition of halal options has been one of the most anticipated changes. Gaynor said a lot of care went into the launch, with protocols in place to ensure halal and non-halal meats are handled separately. Chartwells also partnered with halal product vendors able to consistently meet student demand.
Hawa Sankareh, a third-year biology major and president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), said the MSA has been pushing for halal options for several years. During Ramadan this past spring, the organization worked with the Student Government at Seattle U and the university’s Muslim chaplain to explore possible accommodations with Chartwells.
“For me, and our board, it was kind of a ‘finally’ moment,” Sankareh said. “It was really meaningful and it felt like our voices were finally being heard.”
Still, questions remain among Muslim students about what the designation means in practice, including whether halal options will be available all day, every day, and if the station is fully halal or still offers a mix of dietary options.
“There is some confusion right now,” Sankareh said. “I had a student tell me they ate chicken at Thrive, but weren’t sure if it was actually halal. We want to trust that what’s being labeled as halal is accurate, but consistency and clarity are really important.”
Not all students have felt the impact of the updates yet. Isa Concalves, a first-year biochemistry major, said her day-to-day dining experience has not changed much.
“I don’t think I have noticed any significant changes about the food,” Goncalves said. “The prices and meals are the same, though lately there have been more foods I like on the menu. I just wish there were more grains and bigger portions.”
The Ozzi box discount was also the result of student input. The Ozzi box program launched in fall 2024 in partnership with the Institute for Environmental Justice and Sustainability, but hasn’t seen universal adoption. At “Weigh The Waste” and “Trash Talk” events, Chartwells asked students what would make reusable containers more appealing.
“The feedback we heard was clear. A discount would make the difference,” Gaynor said.
Pricing visibility at The Cave is also being improved. New full-page signs on snack racks, hanging peg tags and refreshed cooler signage are being installed so that every item in the store has a clearly visible price. Some students say they already notice Redhawk Dining’s efforts to keep them informed.
“I think the dining hall does a great job with updating and making posters around to ensure people are aware of new menus and times,” Cyril Areopagita, a first-year psychology major, said. “I truly suggest following their Instagram for updates, because they are very active with sharing information on their stories.”
Across all of the updates, Gaynor said the aim is to make the dining experience at Seattle U feel responsive to the range of needs on campus.
“Our goal is for students to feel heard, supported and excited about their dining options, while enjoying clarity and choice throughout their day,” Gaynor said.
