Camosun creates campus prayer space
Photo by Naomi Kavka.
Camosun College may not be known for an abundance of available space for students to relax, socialize, or even study, but now, thanks to the college’s Diversity Committee, they at least have a place to pray and meditate.
Following the model of most postsecondary institutions, Camosun is now offering an interfaith space for students to meditate or pray during their breaks between classes.
“At this point the Diversity Advisory Committee has, each semester for the past several semesters, looked through the timetable to try to find a space that is consistent, if possible, for prayer and meditation,” says Gail Baxter, assistant to the dean of access and a member of the Diversity Committee.
The idea was spawned by the committee, but also included input from the Camosun College Student Society (CCSS).
“The idea came from the Diversity Committee, but the lack of space has been a complaint that’s been around for awhile from students, often from those of the Muslim faith who require daily prayer space,” says CCSS services coordinator Michael Glover.
During the fall semester, prayer and meditation space will be available at Lansdowne campus in room 307 of the Richmond House, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, excluding Thursdays.
“Finally we found the space at Lansdowne campus in the Richmond House that seems to be stable. We had it cleared out and put up signage. The only challenge we are having with the space is for Thursdays,” says Baxter.
On Thursdays the upper level of the Richmond House is home to the Sexual Health Clinic, and although they don’t use the same room, there’s concern about sharing the space on the same day.
“There are two sides to this is and there is a possible concern from the people who run the Sexual Health Clinic that the confidentiality of those meetings might be compromised by students who are using the prayer space,” says Baxter.
“And the other side of the question is a concern from the students using the space that their prayer and meditation space may be impacted by conversations coming the other way,” says Baxter.
Unfortunately, the room currently provided in the Richmond House is devoid of comfortable furniture and inspiration. The emptiness is uninviting and students may feel they have entered into the wrong room. In fact, some members of the advisory committee haven’t even seen the space they have provided.
“It’s quiet—what do you expect?” says Dan James, a Political Science student. “I’m not an interior designer, but it certainly needs something. Maybe some artwork or some cricket noises?” Prayer and meditation space is also available on the Interurban Campus in room 116 of the Centre for Business and Access building, but students are advised to check the schedule on the Diversity Committee’s website, because the times change often.
“There’s not nearly as much available space at Interurban,” says Baxter. “It’s an hour and 15 minutes Wednesdays, and then two hours on Tuesday, and then it’s different after September, so it’s always changing. It’s very tight to find space at Interurban,” says Baxter.
Interfaith chapels and shared prayer spaces are a fairly recent phenomenon in public institutions, which were once very secular.
“Times have changed and we’re trying to include other faiths, and that’s sort of a challenge,” says Glover.
The greatest challenge may be getting students to use the space, which is difficult to find at Lansdowne, and sporadic at best at Interurban.
But stressed students who actually do find the barren rooms may find the quiet space relaxing.
CCSS Nexus promo
