SPIRITUALITY

Maintaining Health by Nurturing Spirit:

Spirituality Among Today’s College Students: Context and Facts

Landmark research strongly suggests that there is increased interest and involvement among undergraduate students in spiritual pursuits and exploring the purpose and meaning of life. Students seek to enhance their collegiate and academic experience by pursuing diverse aspects of spirituality, whether through organized religion, service to others, exploration of ethical and/or theological questions, or incorporating spiritual practices, such as meditation and/or prayer in their daily lives.

Coupled with landmark research presented in the recent "National Study of College Students' Search for Meaning and Purpose," * the Health Education Center Offers the following overview of various resources and options available for potential spiritual and religious pursuits on the UCI campus.

As part of an ongoing mission to promote comprehensive information about healthy lifestyle choices for body, mind and spirit.

Spiritual Resources on the UCI Campus

UCI Interfaith

Established in 1965, the Interfaith center provides a place for students, faculty, and staff from any faith to be involved in faith-based activities, attend religious services, and interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Interfaith is an ecumenical organization encourages fellowship among all persons, regardless of creed and seeks to overcome barriers between faiths and sects. It is home to a number of groups representing many faiths including – Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim. Interfaith’s goal is to integrate the religious activities of its members and to promote a sense of fellowship and community. At the same time, each individual is encouraged to rediscover the purpose and history of his or her own religion.

The Interfaith Center was established when the University of California, Irvine, opened in 1965, to provide a ministry which serves the entire campus community – students, faculty, and staff.  Interfaith is governed by the University Interfaith Foundation, a group of community and religious leaders, and currently serves over 2,000 people per week.

Interfaith is supported entirely by donations from businesses, churches, and community members, and is not funded by the University.

The Center is located in the UCI Engineering complex (Building 319), adjacent to the Interim Classroom Facility (ICF).  (949) 856-0251

UCI Student Organizations Emphasizing Spirituality, Religion, or Community Service

For a complete listing of ALL UCI student organizations, visit the Dean of Student’s website at: http://search.dos.uci.edu/organizations/

Alpha G.I.G.S.

Discussion of spiritual topics and questions

http://www.dos.uci.edu/organizations

The Art of Living Club at UCI

Dedicated to improving the quality of life through service projects, building community ties, and programs that reduce stress and anxiety.

www.artoflivingoc.og

Association of University Meditators

Dedicated to the art of meditation and development of spirituality

www.aumuci.org

Center for Service in Action

Service and educational opportunities for students to develop a sense of civic responsibility, and cultivate awareness about social concerns through hands-on experience.

http://www.volunteer.uci.edu/index.html

Spiritual Volunteer Club

Outreach to sick and elderly to increase well-being

www.worlddivinelight.org

University Interfaith Foundation

Ecumenical organization that encourages fellowship among all faiths and persons.

714-679-4601

Related:

UCI’s Psychiatry and Spirituality Forum

UCI Medical School

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior

http://www.ucihs.uci.edu/psych/

Contact: Aaron Kheriaty
Psychiatry & Spirituality Forum director, psychiatry & human behavior assistant clinical professor

Academic Offerings Related to Religious Spiritual, or Philosophical Studies:

Religious Studies

Course Sampling: World Religions, Philosophy and Religion, Society and Religion

School of Humanities

www.humanities.uci.edu

Department of Philosophy

Course Sampling :Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics, Contemporary Moral Problems; Problems of Self and Mind, Metaphysics

School of Humanities

www.humanities.uci.edu

Orange County Church Directory and Resources:

http://www.orangecounty.net/html/churches.html

www.worshipquest.org/

Places to Relax, Reflect, and Experience Quiet on the UCI Campus

Aldrich Park, a 19-acre park in the center of the UCI campus, provides an abundance of trees, benches, and verdant lawn to think, meditate, reflect or simply enjoy quiet time, including:

Aldrich Memorial, an intimate sitting area in Aldrich Park, tucked into a small hillside, surrounded by flowers and a large outcropping of rock. Dedicated to founding Chancellor, Daniel G. Aldrich, the memorial is located almost in the center of the park.

Jao Family Sculpture Garden, designed as a place of reflection and cultural expression representing ancient Chinese figures from the arts and philosophy.   Located north of Student Services II, on the west side of the Humanities Bridge.

Founder’s Grove – a quiet circular sitting area adjacent to Aldrich Park, ringed by trees just off the Ring Mall, across from the Biological Sciences Greenhouses.

Alumni Grove a grassy knoll adjacent to Computer Science I studded by sycamore trees and located just south of the Parkview Classroom Building.

UCI Arts Plaza.offers a space for study and reflection, featuring one of Maya Lin’s signature fountains, a water table, flanked by “whispering” benches playing music and poetry.

San Joaquin Marsh Reserve - a 202-acre wetland adjacent to the UCI Campus replete with fresh water ponds, flora and fauna, and lots of bird life.

Chancellor’s Rose Garden, adjacent to the Administration Building, near the bridge to the Marketplace.

*Reference: “The Spiritual Life of Students,” Higher Education Research  Institute, Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, UCLA. 2004.

www.spirituality.ucla.edu

Note: The UCI community campus is invited to submit information and items of interest related to Spirituality via of Health Education Center’s e-mail, HealthEd@uci.edu  or contact UCI’s Health Education Center at (949) 824.9355.