Recently, the news on college campuses across the country has included reports of student protests, instances of Antisemitism and Islamophobia and division and distrust that have created intense debate and unrest at many institutions. A few cases have even resulted in very high-profile departures (at Pennsylvania and Harvard), shaking the nation’s trust in higher education everywhere.
But at the University of Utah, where the Interfaith Initiative has been part of the work performed by the division for Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, leaders hope their efforts will help the campus to weather the storm and emerge even stronger. The university’s work on the interfaith initiative started long before many of the problems we are now seeing at other institutions nationally. Along with the Celebrating U Completely platform, the advance planning on interfaith strategies and events puts the U in a good position to handle national pressures.
That work continues this month as the Interfaith Initiative invites campus to participate in a series of events from Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI) and Interfaith America, Including training for faculty and staff. The goal of this initiative is to promote greater understanding, collaboration and connection across different perspectives, identities and backgrounds to rebuild the sense of community on campus. Leadership also aims to reinforce the public’s trust in higher education and create a stronger foundation for the future. University of Utah Impact Scholar, Eboo Patel, the president and founder of Interfaith America will be leading several conversations with different groups across the campus.
Faculty & Staff Interfaith Leadership Training
Thursday, Feb. 1
Session 1︱9:30-11 a.m.
Session 2︱1-2:30 p.m.
Join one of two 90-minute training sessions to help the U create an environment of civic pluralism, where people of all religious, spiritual and secular identities thrive. Learn key concepts and strategies to engage diverse religious, spiritual and secular identities, from Atheism to Zoroastrianism, through mutual respect, inspiring relationships and cooperation at the U. Help students become bridge-builders who can thrive as excellent professionals and engaged citizens in a diverse democracy with growing religious diversity.
Student Interfaith Leadership Training
Thursday, Feb. 1
3:30-7:30 p.m.
Join us to learn how you can grow your toolbox of marketable professional skills and leadership talents; learn the knowledge and interfaith leadership skills to bridge diverse religious, spiritual and secular identities through mutual respect, inspiring relationships and cooperation at the U; and discover how to earn a professional certificate in Interfaith Leadership for your LinkedIn profile.