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ROBERT ARCANGEL: That's a very good point.
La Salle is a Catholic organization.
But there are students studying at La Salle of all
religious faiths.
We have students who are Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, and
of course Catholic.
Students from all around the world.
The way I view it, at La Salle is that we do offer religious
services on campus, but it's up to the student to decide.
There are services available throughout the week.
And it's up to the student, if they want to, to take
advantage of that.
There's nothing forced upon a student, subjecting a student
to a religion what's important to them.
And I think if they were at La Salle, they would feel that
there's no cliques or one type of student.
There is a lot of diversity on our campus.
So I think they would feel comfortable whatever their
religion happened to be.
ROBERT HARDIN: One thing I really like about the town of
Eugene, Oregon where the University of Oregon is
located is how accepting the town is.
So, even if you might be a minority, you must be one of
the only people of a certain religion.
The University of Oregon and the town or Eugene are
genuinely interested in what you have to offer.
And they want to know more about you and
your culture and religion.
KATE STOETZNER: Students who are interested in practicing
their faith certainly can get connected with the different
organizations in the community.
We don't offer very many sources on our campus, but we
do have connections with a variety of community leaders.
Whether you going to the mosque or the temple to a
particular church.
We certainly are able to connect and make sure that the
students are welcomed.
We have different religious leaders come on to campus to
make connections to make that easier.
And there's quite a few religious organizations that
are student organizations on campus.
Where, perhaps if you're Muslim for example, they'll
celebrate Ramadan together and haven breaking of the fast
three times a week during Ramadan.
And the Hindu students will get together and have perhaps
a big potluck for a particular holiday.
So students are able to continue their faith and their
belief and have that celebrated on our campus.
And then also it's a good way for them to
meet community members.
FANTA AW: At American University one of the areas
that I oversee is our Kay Spiritual Life Center.
We have, as of right now, 24 different faith groups that
live under this chapel.
Anywhere from the imam that serves the Muslim community to
the Vedic chaplain.
We have several strands of Buddhism that are represented
within our faith communities.
To the rabbi that works with our Jewish community.
To the Catholic priest that works with
our Catholic community.
The entire range is there within our faith communities.
Interfaith community is an essential part of what we
believe learning needs to be about.
And also spirituality is something that students more
and more seem to express an interest in.
And so again, going back to educating the whole student.
It is not simply educating the mind, it also educating the
spiritual part of the student.
And so that's an integral part of what we
consider to be learning.
In addition, all of those different faith communities
hold religious services during the entire academic year.
And even during the summertime.
They're also very involved in community service within the
Washington, D.C.
area and really encourage their students to become
involved in service.
That's one of the ways that our students who are involved
in faith communities are able to not just express their
faith, but also give back to the
communities within the area.
Washington, D.C.
is a very cosmopolitan city.
I think any faith that you espouse, chances are you are
going to find a community that exists within
the Washington, D.C.
that can help and often serves your need.
So from that perspective, if for example a student comes to
our campus and they are from a specific faith group that is
not represented within our faith body, our reverend
chaplain who is the head of the unit will make sure to
connect them to other faith communities within the
Washington, D.C.
area.
And for international
students, that's very important.
It is an important part of the community that they feel the
need to belong to while they are here.
And in some ways, it becomes their extended family while
they are here.