Celebrating spirituality as a multi-faith campus

ELENI KOPSAFTIS

As you begin your university journey, you’ll surely hear all about U of G’s mental and physical health resources. If you’re a student of faith looking to take care of your spiritual needs, the school also has plenty of options for you!

The University of Guelph’s multi-faith resource system as it’s known now has been running strong for about 40 years now, and it offers a variety of accommodations for religious students.

According to the Faith and Spirituality at U of G webpage, there are six dedicated community spaces, 10 members of the Multi-Faith Resource Team (MFRT), and 14 student groups committed to supporting religious, spiritual, and worldview identities.

As a multi-faith campus, U of G values religious pluralism. Religious pluralism is wanting to foster a community that has respect for people’s diverse religious and non-religious identities,” said Sonya Wu-Winter, coordinator for Multi-Faith Programs at the University of Guelph, to The Ontarion.

“We believe that people of different backgrounds can form mutually inspiring relationships and work together for the common good.”

The multi-faith community at the university is also inclusive to queer students, and students of faith are encouraged to seek out related resources such as the Queer Christian Community, Rainbow Jews, and the Sexual and Gender Diversity Advisor.

Most community spaces can be found right on campus. As merely one example, Raithby House is the charming farmhouse building near the cannon, and it is home to the MFRT offices as well as most faith-based programming. The second-floor has a cozy and quiet meditation room looking over campus and serves as a drop-in space for anyone looking for a place to pause during their day.

There is also the Multi-Faith Room located in room 533 in the University Centre (UC) where individuals or groups can gather for prayer, meditation, or quiet reflection. It is currently only available via reservation request through ucservices@uoguelph.ca. The Mussalah (Muslim Prayer Room) is in the UC basement in room 008B, and two Wudu rooms are available in 002A and 006A for ritual washing.

If you find your way to the Arboretum, you’ll also find the Arboretum Labyrinth near the entrance closest to campus.

“Labyrinths are concentric walking paths used for the purposes of prayer, meditation, or quiet contemplation,” reads the Multi-Faith Spaces webpage. “Many people find the slow rhythm of walking a helpful embodied practice that aids their mental well-being or spiritual expression.”

Off campus, you’ll find Chabad House on 81 College Ave. W, a place to unwind and meet with other Jewish community members, and the Newman Centre on 325 Gordon St a “spiritual home” for Catholic U of G students.

Indigenous students can find support through the Indigenous Student Centre at the Federal Building on 620 Gordon St. where Visiting Elders and Knowledge Holders offer individual and group advising as well as spiritual teachings.

Although the U of G campus is smoke-free, Indigenous students can contact Cara Wehkamp, special advisor to the provost on Indigenous initiatives, at cwehkamp@uoguelph.ca to learn more

Students are able to access prayer spaces in the Raithby House on campus. PHOTO BY SONYA WU-WINTER

about smudging procedures.

Feeling hungry? Don’t worry, campus has plenty of food options that correspond with your spiritual values.

Halal selections can be found across campus eateries such as Mom’s Kitchen, Hot Entrées, Infusion, and Need A Pita. Meanwhile, you can find kosher sandwiches and wraps at Chabad as well as Creelman Hall.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options can be found just about anywhere at U of G, including Nature’s Best, Mongolian Grill, Grab N’ Go, and stations that offer salad, pasta, or pizza.

For special diets and allergies, students can request accommodations by contacting the Student Nutrition Awareness Program at snap@uoguelph.ca or (519) 824-4120 ext. 52249.

While university can be an exciting new chapter in life, it can also be a jarring one. That’s why it might be hard for new students of faith to find spaces and community at a new school.

As a result, it’s crucial that such students feel welcomed and supported, says Wu-Winter.

“Spiritual wellness is part of mental wellbeing and human well being, and it's important to name that because sometimes it kind of gets lost in the mix,” she told The Ontarion.

Even if you’re not spiritual yourself, or if you’ve only ever gotten to experience your own religion, the multi-faith community here at U of G can offer a great chance to learn about your peers and their worldviews.

“When the Hindu Student Society planned a Diwali celebration for campus last fall, it was not only a chance for the Hindu community to celebrate a religious occasion, it also a chance for other people on campus to really learn about and share in this remarkable holiday and appreciate it even if they’re not a religious person themselves,” said Wu-Winter.

“The multi-faith landscape on campus–the resources we have, and the people who are engaged with this work–I find it to be a place of real delight.”

To learn more about the spiritual resources at the University of Guelph, visit the Faith and Spirituality at U of G webpage at www.uoguelph.ca/studentexperience/faith-and-spirituality, reach out to faith@uoguelph.ca, or contact Sonya Wu-Winter at swuwinter@uoguelph.ca.