2023-2024 ORSL Annual Report

As we reflect on the accomplishments of the past academic year, it fills me with immense pride to share the journey of Muller Chapel as it concludes its 48th year. The past academic year also marked the 6th year of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL). ORSL exists as the heartbeat of Ithaca College, dedicated to fostering an inclusive campus environment where every individual discovers a sense of belonging and purpose.

Throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, ORSL has been instrumental in facilitating many initiatives that reflect the rich religious and spiritual heritage of our campus community. From hosting Ramadan iftars to sponsoring a soul-stirring Gospel Concert, from spreading joy through the annual Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Easter Egg Hunt to welcoming students and members of the local community through our semiannual open house, we have consistently strived to create a space that responds to the multifaceted interests and needs of our campus community.

At the core of our mission is a commitment to honoring traditions while embracing contemporary discourse Our four weekly worship services serve as a testament to this dedication, while initiatives like Side by Side exemplify our commitment to fostering dialogue on pressing global issues, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In moments of remembrance and celebration alike, ORSL stands beside our students. Whether through facilitating the campus ' inaugural Service of Remembrance on April 18th or spreading joy through the Eid Baazar, ORSL is here to support the spiritual and emotional well-being of our community.

Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 academic year and the approaching 50th anniversary of Muller Chapel, I am filled with excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead Behind every program and initiative are empowered students, whose dedication and passion continue to drive our work Together, we strive to nurture, honor, and celebrate the spark within every student.

Warmly, Austin

Reid

Austin Reid

Interim Director

Partners With

Chabad at Ithaca College

Cereal Ministry

Community Church Leadership Program

Hillel at Ithaca College

Ithaca College Catholic Community

Ithaca College Muslim Student Association

Ithaca College Paganism and Witchcraft Community

Lighthouse Christian Fellowship

Eimy

Abby

Alex

U N I T Y Re-Recognized Communities

Community Church Leadership Program

In 2017, as part of Ithaca College’s wider goals of “inclusive excellence,” the Community Church Leadership Program, under the leadership of Dr Christopher House, was formed Rooted in Black Church traditions, CCLP meets students' spiritual, personal, and social needs through a racially conscious theology inspired by the New Testament. For seven years, it has empowered students academically and spiritually via worship services and gatherings CCLP has significantly influenced the Ithaca community with events like the Emerging Leaders Conference and the Holy Spirit and Social Justice Conference, alongside transformative Bible studies and leadership training It continues to foster spiritual, theological, and intellectual growth, creating spaces for personal transformation through the Holy Spirit. While the current Ithaca College Muslim Student Association traces its roots to 2021 when a group of students began to organize a community for Muslim students and individuals who wished to learn more about Islam, Muslim student organizations have existed on and off on I.C.'s campus since at least 2000. The IC MSA, re-recognized in spring 2024, is the latest iteration of organized Muslim student life at Ithaca College Initiatives where the IC MSA and ORSL have partnered together during the 2023-2024 academic year include hosting four iftar meals, co-sponsoring I.C.'s first-ever Eid Baazr, supporting the IC MSA's graduation program, and holding space for halaqa (religious study circles) at Muller Chapel. The IC MSA also supports weekly Jummah prayers at Muller Chapel and social programs

Ithaca College Muslim Student Association

Ithaca College Paganism and Witchcraft Community

The Ithaca College Paganism and Witchcraft Community is the successor to IC Pagans, a student group formed in 2015 The Ithaca College Paganism and Witchcraft Community was recognized in spring 2024 ORSL has supported members of this student community by sponsoring a Saihan program and providing space for monthly full-moon rituals. Members of the organization gather weekly at Muller Chapel on Fridays starting at 4:30

165 to 205

Number of unique individuals in a typical month while classes are in session who visit Muller Chapel. Fridays tend to be the busiest days at Muller Chapel.

334

Number of students who attended Noah’s Ark DeStress Petting Zoo. This popular event was a partnership with Hillel.

1,153

Number of Shabbat dinners served at Muller Chapel by Hillel at Ithaca College during the 20232024 academic year! The average attendance at Shabbat services each week was 50 students.

50-55

Average attendance at the Sunday Masses organized by the Ithaca College Catholic Community.

ndful IC is a volunteer mmunity of mindfulness actitioners certified to teach ferent secular forms of ndfulness and meditation. ring the 2023-2024 academic ar, Mindful IC offered weekly ditation classes, drop-in ditation, Qigong practices, a ing mindfulness retreat, and ders partnered with ORSL to bring off-campus guest teachers to offer de-stress opportunities. Mindful IC also offers “on-demand” sessions for anyone in the IC community who would like group members to come to their classes or meetings and offer mindfulness or de-stress opportunities for their students or colleagues. Mindful IC leads the all-college “Mindful Minute” at the beginning of College-wide meetings. Mindful IC is led by Anne Stork, Diana Dimitrova, Eric Machan Howd, Julia Lapp, and Mary Ann Erickson.

Mindful IC also played a key role in supporting a programming series in early October that centered around the building of a sand mandala. This marked the second year in a row of IC welcoming monks from Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies, a neighbor on South Hill, to construct a multicolored sand mandala. This program series will be returning to Ithaca College in September 2024. This series was also supported by the Center for Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, the Office of the President, the Department of Art, Art History, and Architecture, and the Department of Philosophy and Religion.

Mindful IC has a vibrant presence at Muller Chapel. Members of the organization facilitated meditations at the chapel four times each week while classes were in session One participant in Mindful IC remarked, “This experience became a huge change in my lifestyle that I am so thankful for I cannot wait to continue to use meditation every day and to spread it to others. It will be a great thing to touch many others with these wonderful practices.”

Around 200 people attended the 2024 Easter Egg Hunt organized by Lighthouse Christian Fellowship. This event was co-sponsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Student Governance Council on Easter Sunday, March 31. In total, 805 eggs were hidden by members of Lighthouse Christian Fellowship across campus. This event, which welcomed students of all backgrounds, featured a raffle where prizes were awarded to lucky individuals. Particularly for students who could not travel home on Easter, the Easter Egg hunt was a major event on campus. The 2024 Easter Egg Hunt was the third annual celebration of its kind organized by Lighthouse Christian Fellowship and is the organization's largest program. Each year the Easter Egg Hunt has also grown in size as this tradition has become more established at Ithaca College.

The Easter Egg hunt was followed by a Catholic Mass organized by the Ithaca College Catholic Community. In total, 105 students attended Easter Mass. Other larger Masses organized by the Ithaca College Catholic Community included Ash Wednesday, which 80 students attended.

Both Lighthouse Christian Fellowship and the Ithaca College Catholic Community sponsor other social programs during the academic year. Efforts supported by ORSL included a graduation program for Lighthouse and a karaoke night organized by the Catholic Community.

Program Highlight: Ramadan at IC

During the spring semester, the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life (ORSL) supported Ramadan observances at Ithaca College in several ways Continuing a tradition from earlier years, ORSL sponsored three iftar meals and hosted an additional fourth iftar on Apri 6. These observances provided crucial opportunities for the campus community to come together during this significant season. Additionally, ORSL co-sponsored Ithaca College's first-annual Eid Baazar program on March 23. This celebration engaged 30 to 40 students in the Campus Center. The Baazar featured various foods, including Mediterranean and Jamaican dishes, as well as free henna tattoos done by a professional artist. Notably, a "Try a Hijab" station was also included, allowing attendees to experience wearing a hijab firsthand. For many students, this experience with their Muslim peers fostered a greater cultural understanding.

Recognizing the practical challenges faced by students observing Ramadan, ORSL collaborated with Dining Services to provide support, including funding meal passes for students without a meal plan. Working with Ashraf Khater, Ithaca College's Muslim Affiliate, ORSL also offered recommendations to Dining Services regarding the availability of halal products and other accommodations during Ramadan.

In addition, ORSL facilitated student trips to the Al-Huda Islamic Center in Lansing enabling students to participate in larger community gatherings offcampus. These gatherings, which included iftar meals and special prayers, provided students with opportunities for spiritual growth and community engagement with , coreligionists across Tompkins County. During Ramadan, ORSL also funded new prayer mats in the BIPOC Unity Center prayer space and purchased prayer beads for both the Muller Chapel meditation room and the BIPOC Unity Center. The chapel's offerings of books on Islamic themes also expanded during Ramadan with students providing recommendations. Many of the new books were generously donated by the Al-Huda Islamic Center in Lansing ,

Program Highlight: Pond Reflections

During the spring 2024 semester, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL) launched a new wellness initiative, Pond Reflections, in collaboration with Nature Rx at Ithaca College. Recognizing the benefits of spending time in nature for mental well-being, Pond Reflections takes advantage of the natural beauty of Muller Chapel's pond to promote student wellness.

Situated within the serene surroundings of Muller Chapel's Gathering Hall, Pond Reflections offers students a peaceful retreat from the frequent stressors that can be associated with campus life. Even during Ithaca's long winters, students can find respite in the comfort of Muller Chapel's Gathering Hall while still enjoying the scenic views of the pond.

Through a partnership with Ithaca College's Center for Counseling & Psychological Services, Pond Reflections provides self-guided wellness programs aimed at reducing stress and anxiety These program cards feature breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques, carefully crafted by mental health professionals to support students in finding inner calm and clarity.

Pond Reflections sessions were held every Tuesday throughout the spring 2024 semester, coinciding with classes and exams at Ithaca College. By offering students regular opportunities for reflection and rejuvenation, ORSL is committed to fostering a campus culture that prioritizes holistic wellness. ,

66 Community meals hosted 133 Text study sessions or classes

N U M B E R S

144

Students who attended a Holocaust Survivor Speaker Event cosponsored with Hillel

7

Typical attendance at weekly QigongMovement Meditation

3

Number of students who received the Sacrament of Confirmation

90

28Number of Attendees at Side by Side discussion on Israel-Palestine cosponsored with Hillel

20Average attendance at Evensong on Wednesday nights

S e l e c t

cATHOLIC mASS

Noon Hour Meditation was offered through Mindful IC on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays while classes were in session and during exam periods. This was the most frequent program offered at Muller Chapel

A Catholic Mass was offered at Muller Chapel every Sunday at 6 PM when classes were in session during the 2023-2024 academic year. Community nights follow the Mass on most weeks.

Noon Hour Meditation

CCLP Easter Production

Through Thursday Night Bible Studies, monthly prayer gatherings, enrichment workshops, and bi-annual leadership conferences, CCLP empowers students through the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ while spiritually enriching them during their academic journeys.

Hillel at Ithaca College offered three weekly cohortbased learning experiences at Muller Chapel during the academic year. These were: Jewish Learning Fellowship, Kol Yisrael (open to Jewish and non-Jewish students), and Queer Torah. 56 students participated in the classes.

Every Monday at Muller Chapel while classes were in session Professor Anne Stork offered Realization Process Meditation and QigongMovement Meditation. During the spring semester, Nature Rx and ORSL collaborated on a new weekly mindfulness program, Pond Reflections.

Jummah services were held weekly on Fridays at Muller Chapel when classes and exams were in session.