Faith and inclusivity on campus

How USD faith-based organizations and departments promote unity

HALEY JACOB / FEATURE EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

The University of San Diego attracts students from all faith backgrounds, including practicing and non-practicing individuals. According to the most recent Undergraduate Student Body Profile, only 45% of the undergraduate student population lists Catholicism as their religious preference, despite the university’s Roman Catholic identity. 

USD’s mission values developing students holistically, involving their intellectual, social, and spiritual growth. Regardless of one’s religious identity, the university aims to help every student experience growth in all aspects during their time of attendance, ranging from those who identify as Catholic or Christian to those identifying as Jewish or Muslim, and so on. 

The university also makes space for those non-practicing, leaving individuals with the power to decide their relationship with spirituality. 

One USD tradition that captures its mission of faith inclusivity and acceptance is the long-standing tradition of the “All Faith Service.” At the beginning of every spring semester, the university hosts an event to celebrate the diverse array of faiths and beliefs on campus. Students, staff, faculty, and community members come together in prayer to recognize and commemorate the power and enrichment of faith diversity. Next spring semester, the university will celebrate its 30th year of the tradition.

The University Ministry is a department on campus that provides students with programs, events, counseling, and other services to help guide individuals throughout their spiritual journeys. 

While the department focuses on applying the principles of Catholic social teachings, students of all religious traditions are invited to attend, explore, and enrich themselves in the services. 

Vice President of Mission Integration Michael Lovette-Colyer explained the goal of University Ministry and their focus on diverse spiritual enhancement. 

“At the University Ministry, we focus on creating a variety of programs that are designed to meet students at different places in their journey,” Lovette-Colyer said. “We have a lot of programs that hopefully speak to students’ needs across their four years or however long they’re at USD that may or may not be explicitly religious. Our assessment data over the years has told us that a good chunk of the students we serve don’t identify as Catholic, and that’s great. We’re very happy about that because that’s what we want. That’s our goal.”

One of the biggest and longest running programs offered by the University Ministry is their Pre-Orientation Retreat for first-year students. The retreat is an off-campus 3-day overnight experience spent outdoors with other first-year students and upperclassman student leaders. 

The program focuses on creating community and belonging, assisting individuals in connecting with new friends, and finding where they fit in at their new, unfamiliar home at USD.  

Lovette-Colyer touched on how the university’s Catholic identity promotes acceptance and non-conformity.

“One of the most essential beliefs in the Catholic faith tradition is this conviction that all people are created in the image of God, and therefore have human dignity,” Lovette-Colyer said. “So, since that’s foundational, we believe everybody, and it certainly doesn’t change based on their religious identity, or any other identity, is created in God’s image and have inherent human dignity, so it’s our job to recognize that in every one of our students, including every one of our employees.”

As a practicing Catholic, Lovette-Colyer reflected on another aspect of the Catholic faith that contributes to the university’s all-embracing approach to spirituality. 

“One of my favorite things about being Catholic is that we have explicit teaching that values and honors people of different faith traditions,” Lovette-Colyer said. “It’s a very un-Catholic thing to do to try to convince somebody to leave their tradition to join ours. We just don’t do that. Instead, we celebrate differences, and we recognize that those different traditions communicate a lot of beauty and goodness and holiness as well.”

Another faith-based group on campus is USD InterVarsity—a co-ed Christian Fellowship organization on campus that offers options for students to come together and discuss, bond, and celebrate their faith in a variety of small groups. Some small-group options include a men’s group, a women’s group, a Greek Life group, and a “God Questions” group. Much like the University Ministry, the organization celebrates and accepts people of different faiths and focuses on prospering and exploring a relationship with religion. 

President of USD Intervarsity Matthew Schramm shared about the organization’s mission. 

“We’re a group where we explore what it means to follow Jesus and talk about what our relationship with Jesus is in college and as college students. We don’t necessarily have a denominational affiliation,” Schramm said. “We have people who come from all kinds of different Christian backgrounds, but we also have a lot of people who have participated who come who have no faith background or who are just asking questions, or just exploring.” 

Member of USD InterVarsity Hayden Nabers shared similar sentiments with Schramm about the organization’s inclusivity.

“People use it to explore their own spirituality and figure out where they fit in and if it’s right for them. It’s a very open and accepting organization,” Nabers said. “We want people to try things out. People come in, and people come out. We don’t force anything. We just allow that space for anyone. It’s up to each individual to make their decision, and we’re just here as an avenue for that.”

Nabers is a Co-Leader of the organization’s “God Questions” small group, which discusses interesting questions surrounding a range of biblical and broader worldview concepts and ideas. Some past question topics include free will, morality, and the problem of evil. 

The diverse range of programs and opportunities provided by faith-based departments and organizations on campus provide students the freedom to engage with services fit for their practice, or practice individually without the pressure of conformity.

Sophomore Trisha Kanjilal practices Hinduism, and she shared her appreciation for USD’s open approach to religious exploration and involvement. 

“USD is very religiously inclusive,” Kanjilal said. “I like that I get to learn about Catholicism through campus events and academics while still feeling comfortable and welcome to practice my own religion.”

On the other side, many students benefit from the faith services and programs offered by the university. Lovette-Colyer finds great joy in watching students utilize departments such as University Ministry to strengthen their relationship with their Catholic faith.

“During students’ time at the university, they have a chance to reassess, and sometimes it’s straightforward, and the faith that they were raised in they’re willing and able to make their own,” Lovette-Colyer said. “Other times, there’s a little bit of negotiation. For example, maybe they stopped going to mass during the first year and decided now they’re going to take a bit of a break from church or religion or whatnot. But then, at some point, they come back, and they start to re-engage questions of faith and church and religion, and then when they do, it becomes much more real and much more strong because it’s their own decision.”

The diversity in faith practices, traditions, and beliefs present at USD enrich our community and contribute to a supportive, welcoming environment where all students, staff, and faculty are free to express and explore their spiritual identities. 

Organizations and departments such as the University Ministry and USD InterVarsity continue to lead important conversations and lessons about the different yet equally valid meanings to spirituality, reminding us all about the power of unity, not uniformity.