Religious Diversity on Ole Miss campus

The "wall" of student groups and organizations in the student union.  Most seem unorganized and cluttered, while some just seem empty.

Is Ole Miss doing enough to ensure religious diversity among students?  Some students may feel they are taking the backburner when it comes to Ole Miss religious groups.

The University of Mississippi has worked hard to attain a reputation of diversity and acceptance of all, despite the stigmas that come alongside being a university in the south.  Ole Miss has suffered through accusations of racism and intolerance of minorities, but what does the university show for itself in the religious spectrum?

The city of Oxford, Mississippi is one comprised of mostly southern conservatives.  This has to do with geography and the traditions of the south that are still such a large part of the community today.  With students coming in from all over the country, Ole Miss must recognize and support the practice of other religions besides those that are so common among Oxford residents.

Religious organizations on campus have increased in recent years, supporting a wide range of religions, including some that students and town residents aren’t aware of.  Today there are 20 student religious organizations on campus that cover a large religious spectrum.  These organizations work to serve students who are looking for guidance and a place to practice their faith with other believers.  The University has upheld its part in creating such programs, but some factors suggest it hasn’t done a fair job of promoting and supporting certain minority religious groups. 

“I’ve been attending this school for four years and never knew there was a Catholic organization on campus.  This could be my fault for not paying close enough attention, but I don’t think Ole Miss has done a good job of bringing awareness to the fact that something like this is available.  Finding out about a certain campus organization shouldn’t be difficult or take much looking,” said student and practicing Catholic Val Rodriguez.

Catholicism makes up 10 percent of the Oxford population, according to citydata.com.  Considering this is one of the better-known religions, what do those who practice even lesser known faiths know about campus groups meant for them?

One of the smaller groups on campus is the Pentecostal Youth Fellowship, having between 8 and ten members. The Pentecostal Youth Fellowship, like other small groups, strives to avoid anonymity by offering services on campus, open to anyone, that are informative to newcomers and traditional to practicing believers.  The Fellowship works to recruit students, college and high school level, who are curious or interested in the Pentecostal faith.

“PYF is given a list of students who indicate Pentecostal, Apostolic, Church of God or Assembly of God on their Ole Miss registration form along with their email addresses.  On a weekly basis, each of these students is sent notices about the weekly meetings of PYF,” said PYF group representative John Jones. “Our membership has remained stable maintaining approximately 6 to ten members throughout the years.”

The University Jewish Community is another small group that offers students a chance to join in its faith by providing religious and cultural experiences in the traditions of Judaism.  The University Jewish Community is an intimate group consisting of about 50 members, approximately five of which are students.

“The Dean of students sends us a list of students who have expressed a preference for Judaism and we contact them.  We also set up a table the first week of school in the Circle and have a Facebook page,” said UM Jewish Community director Wendy Goldberg.  “ Our meetings are open to anyone.”

Some of the better-known groups are widely recognized around campus; their posters and informational signs can be seen hung throughout the student union and other, high-traffic buildings on campus.  Some students make the argument that these groups recruit more members because of their widespread awareness efforts, these groups publicize meetings and events and welcome all students.  Most of the smaller groups that cater to minority religions are open to all students as well; these groups are welcoming to any student who may have an interest in their represented faith.  However, do these groups do enough to publicize their involvement in the Ole Miss religious world?    

Ole miss undoubtedly offers a wide variety of religious groups for students to join.  Some of these groups will be impossible not to hear about while others will remain low key and seem private.  Students who practice a faith that has a campus organization should be made aware of the opportunity to join in that group; it just may be up to the student to seek out information on a certain group that holds his or her interest.