MU organizations collaborate for alternative religious guide

The calendar will include non-traditional religious days of observation.

By Jessica Silverman

Published Oct. 16, 2009

The Chancellor's Diversity Initiative and Multicultural Center are partnering to create a new publication providing information about alternative religions.

"As far as I know, there is nothing like this that exists on campus," Chancellor's Diversity Initiative spokeswoman Rebecca Calvin said. "There's a definite need for a reliable campus religious calendar and guide."

Calvin said, at this point in time, the publication is still in the planning stages, but they want to include the holiday name, associated religion, a simple description, a list of religious organizations in the area and common practices for less common religions.

Pablo Mendoza, Student Life and Multicultural Center assistant director, said all the information for the publication should be gathered by the end of the semester.

Calvin said they're defining alternative religions as non-Christian, but they might include Christian establishments in the guide.

"It is not uncommon to schedule critical meetings, deadlines, or exams on these dates," Calvin said. "Having a guide like this will be a helpful planning tool."

Calvin said the publication could also summarize dietary restrictions under recommended accommodations.

"We are at this point unsure as to whether it will be purely electronic, on the Web site and the Multicultural Center's website," Mendoza said. "But we might do a limited print run so that it will be available during Summer Welcome."

Mendoza said one of the most popular publications among parents and students at Summer Welcome is the Religious Life @ MU guide.

"The reason that a lot of parents pick it up for their kids is in the hopes that they will continue their spiritual development along the lines of the religion they were raised in," Mendoza said.

The reason behind the new publication, Mendoza said, is the old publication, a production between the Multicultural Center and the Association of Campus Religious Advisors, requires religions to be a member of ACRA in order to be in the publication.

"The reason for the new publication that the Chancellor's Diversity Initiative and my office are looking at doing is to address the needs of those religions that are considered minority religions and don't generally have the structure of most Christian religions," Mendoza said.

The publication would include contact information for faiths such as the Baha'i faith, Jehovah's Witnesses, Latter-Day Saints or Greek Orthodox.

"Or for other religious groups that are in the Columbia region but aren't, in a sense, as organized as the traditional Christian faith," Mendoza said. "Or Hillel, for that matter. Hillel's really organized."

Calvin said last year she posted information on the MU calendar regarding high holy days.

Four Front Co-chairwoman Yantézia Patrick said the publication is a good idea.

"Anything that gives MU students and others in the community information on faiths that might be of interest to them is valuable," Patrick said. "Personally, faith and my religion are very important to me, and while everyone does not worship in the same way or even believe in the same or similar gods, I do believe that everyone is entitled and should experience a peaceful and centered sense of self."