Dozens of flags line the inside of the student center to represent students from around the globe, and now for the first time, Tiger Dining is representing them too.
Tiger Dining has introduced a new food truck, Ceci, which excited students across the cultural spectrum when it opened Monday.
The newest campus dining option features Middle Eastern cuisine with a menu that's "From the Near East to Far East," but that's not all that makes it distinctive.
The food truck introduced Halal meat to campus to accommodate Muslim students. It also does not serve beef, which makes it Hindu-friendly.
A Halal diet is a religious requirement for Muslims, and is comparable to Jews consuming Kosher foods, said Naved Siddiqui, fifth-year doctoral student in materials engineering.
"In the Halal belief, animals are bled to death during slaughter so the blood does not coagulate and contaminate the meat," Siddiqui said. "Like Jews, we also don't eat pork."
Ellexia Taylor, senior in interdisciplinary studies and president of the Muslim Students' Association, brought the need for Halal meat to Tiger Dining's attention.
"The Muslim students on campus didn't have access to Halal meat and, until now, only had the option of being vegetarian," Taylor said. "Auburn's Muslim population is steadily growing, and Ceci gives them the best options to stay healthy and well nourished."
Taylor presented the issue to Tiger Dining in the spring, and was impressed with how quickly the solution came about.
"It shows that Auburn University takes pride in ensuring that no group is left out," Taylor said.
Director of Campus Dining Glenn Loughridge said he made Ceci a priority throughout the summer.
"The Auburn Family is known for being 'All In,' so we wanted to be all inclusive," Loughridge said. "We want to serve all students regardless of how much or how little they make up Auburn's population."
Bill Sallustro, resident district manager for Chartwells, Auburn's food contractor, said he wants students to know that if there's a need for a particular food on campus, Chartwells and Auburn will work together to meet it.
"Ceci will not only appeal to Muslim students, but Hindu, Jewish and vegan students as well," Sallustro said. "It's exciting."
Ceci's menu features an array of Middle Eastern dishes including lamb, chicken, salads, desserts and other vegan options.
Entrees include hummus, grilled vegetable falafel, curried lentil patties, spice roasted chicken and lamb and mushroom kofta, a dish that Siddiqui grew up with in Saudi Arabia.
"I can't wait to feel at home," Siddiqui said.
Siddiqui said he's very excited to enjoy Ceci's food.
Loughridge said that the truck will help expose students to new food.
"It will open Auburn students to a different culture and diet, but it's not so far off that Alabama folks won't find something to enjoy there," Loughridge said. "Ceci is for everyone."
The food truck will first be located near the engineering buildings, but will move toward central campus as it gains popularity, Taylor said.
Siddiqui and Taylor said they are grateful to Tiger Dining for listening to their request.
"Offering this kind of meat is certainly not common, even in other parts of the U.S.," Siddiqui said. "Tiger Dining Services was so forthcoming, and serving such a small group on campus isn't a sustainable thing to do from an economic standpoint. The fact they did it anyway says a lot. I can't say thank you enough."
Loughridge said in the Auburn Family, everyone gets a seat at the dinner table.
"We need to be able to feed everybody, Loughridge said. "We were happy to take a step toward accomplishing that."
Loughridge advised students to check the Auburn App, or the dining services' Twitter @tigerdining where locations will be posted weekly.
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