Interfaith @ GVSU
At GVSU, we seek to support and celebrate the religious, secular, and spiritual diversity of our campus. As a unit within the Division of Inclusion and Equity, the Kaufman Interfaith Institute works to both accommodate the unique needs of various faith-based groups on campus while also proactively appreciating the richness of our diversity through educational and engaging programs.
What's Happening On Campus?
The GVSU Community is as diverse in faith, belief, and philosophy of life as it is in other regards. The Kaufman Interfaith Institute is here to help students, faculty, and staff find spaces and communities of comfort while also providing opportunities to connect across difference. Check out our upcoming events to see how to get involved!
Enjoy the Summer! Fall Events Still To Come...
Quick Finds and FAQs
Do I have to be religious to participate in your programming?
No! Our programs our open to everyone. We have folks who identify as Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, Atheist, Agnostic, Secular Humanist, Buddhist, Hindu and many more take part in our programming and events. The whole idea is to get a wide range of identities around religion together for conversations or for learning about one another.
Do you provide religious services?
Kaufman Interfaith Institute does not organize religious services. We are happy to connect folks to a local house of worship or a student organization. Many of our student organizations will host bible studies, shabbat dinners, or jumu'ah prayers.
I have a test that conflicts with my holy days. What can I do?
GVSU is committed to helping our students, faculty and staff thrive on campus. We have a Religious Inclusion Policy that acknowledges the right of students, staff, and faculty to engage in religious observances. Part of that policy grants religious accommodations if there is a conflict with a holy day and a class. If a conflict with a religious observance exists, students must request a religious accommodation from their faculty within the first two weeks of each semester or as soon as reasonably possible after the instructor announces a particular mandatory class, examination, or assignment so that alternative arrangements can be made for any class, examinations, or assignments missed. Request a Religious Accommodation.
Where can I go to meditate/pray/reflect?
Thanks to resolutions by Student Senate and the University Academic Senate an interfaith reflection room was created in the Kirkhof Center in 2015. Because of GVSU's growing downtown presence and a resolution passed by Student Senate, a temporary reflection room for meditation and prayer has been created from 12-5pm on the Pew Campus and a full time reflection room was created in CHS. These spaces are designed for students of all faiths/non-faiths to practice their traditions authentically and safely on GVSU's campus. More information.
I want to find a place to practice my tradition off campus. Do you have any suggestions?
While our list is not exhaustive at all, we have worked to get a list of various houses of worship in the local West Michigan community. You can find that list by clicking the button below.
Find Your Home
Student Organizations
Faith-based, spiritual, and secular student organizations serve to enhance a student's spiritual life while providing fellowship & outreach opportunities.
Click through the gallery on the left to learn more about student organizations at GVSU.
If you don't see a student organization for your tradition or want more info about various student organizations, please fill out the form to the right, and we will be in touch.
Our staff meets regularly with the advisors of these groups allowing for great connections between us and our student organizations.
More information
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Interfaith Reflection Rooms
Thanks to resolutions by Student Senate and the University Academic Senate an interfaith reflection room was created in the Kirkhof Center in 2015. Because of GVSU's growing downtown presence and a resolution passed by Student Senate, a temporary reflection room for meditation and prayer has been created from 12-5 p.m. on the Pew Campus and a full time reflection room was created in CHS. These spaces are designed for students of all faiths/non-faiths to practice their traditions authentically and safely on GVSU's campus. More info
GVSU Policies
In accordance with the Religious Inclusion Policy, GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations for faculty, staff and students to observe their religious beliefs, except where accommodating the request would result in undue hardship on the University in its mission, operation or in meeting its academic standards.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please complete a Request for Religious Accommodation and submit it to your professor within the first two weeks of each semester or as soon as reasonably possible. For further information regarding this procedure, please see the Religious Inclusion Policy.
Kaufman On Campus
Our spaces on campus are open to all and serve as a place to connect for small programs and conversation. Stop by to meet our staff, or send us an email to set up a time to meet!
Allendale Campus: Cook-DeWitt 118
Downtown: Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (CHS) 290