Bringing Faith to Campus: Religious and Spiritual Space, Time, and Practice at Stanford University

This essay examines how Stanford University, secular in its origins, yet with a church at its center, addresses the religious and spiritual concerns of current students, whether from traditional or innovative religious backgrounds. Identified religious and spiritual needs prompt questions about the balance between the spiritual health and well-being of the individual and the expectations and responsibilities of the university. How willing are universities to encourage and respect the faith and religious traditions of individuals and communities in their midst? How can campuses honor time, space, and personal and communal sacred practice? Two of Stanford University's deans for religious life describe the challenges and changes in the past two decades in attending to the concerns and convictions of students and in educating and encouraging the university to create a vital and rich religious and spiritual campus life. (Contains 2 footnotes.)