Implementing Interfaith

Sep 20, 2012

What is the spiritual climate on campus? Representatives from the Interfaith Youth Core met with focus groups of students, faculty and staff to explore the current climate and envision what the future could be.

Last March, the IFYC administered a survey to gauge the campus religious and spiritual climate. Concordia is now in the midst of asset mapping and visioning – a process that began with author and interfaith leader Dr. Eboo Patel’s visit during Orientation week. The IFYC will return in December to continue strategic implementation of campus initiatives.

This week, the IFYC staff is using data from the campuswide survey to identify resources that Concordia can use to further efforts of interfaith cooperation.

The statistics show that most students and faculty are engaging or want to engage in religious dialogue:
* 72 percent of students report that they regularly have discussions with someone of another worldview that has a positive influence on their perception of that worldview.
* 75 percent of faculty members say they are comfortable discussing religion with students in the classroom.
* 82 percent of students believe that religion and spirituality should be a regular part of discourse on campus.

The openness of students and faculty to discuss spirituality is a great building block as the IFYC and Concordia seek to foster greater understanding between different religious and nonreligious groups on campus.



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