University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

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 Religion on Campus Representation of many faiths offers students a choice by Doris Rygalski Staff Writer On Sunday mornings, University of Maine campus life is put on hold while many students sleep off the excesses of previous evenings. But if the squirrels think they’ve got the campus to themselves, they’ve got another thing coming. At 9:30 a.m., the so-called day of rest” introduces the climax of UMaine religious activities, and approximately 670 students can be seen heading to their place of worship. Out of the 11,000 students that com- prise the UMaine population, 600 Catholics will be going to the Newman Center, 10 to the Episcopalian Canter- bury Chapel, and 50 will be enroute to the Maine Christain Association (Pro- testant Student Fellowship) at the Wilson Center. The Jewish B’nai B’rith Hillel Foun- dation at Hancock Hall, the Inter- Varsity Christain Fellowship at 20 Chadbourne Hall, and the UMaine Student Pentecostal at 203 Shibles Hall also provide services for campus students. Brochures at the UMaine religious affairs office also suggest the Newman and Wilson centers for their quiet and comfortable study lounges that are open to all students. Additionally, retreats and social get- togethers are also provided by most groups. “There’s always something going on, and everyone is welcome,” Sister Marilyn Nichols, new minister for the Newman Center, said. “It’s a family community. ” Yet, the attendance remains at a con- stant low, said Rev. Malcolm Burson of the Canterbury Club, with no significant fluctuations. We could always use more, but our participation is good, ” Sister Nichols said, giving the example of student singing group. However, as with every given rule, there always is an exception. The Moslem faith, headed by Mahmoud El-Begearmi, starts by holding its “prayer” on Friday, instead of Sunday, at the Drummond Chapel from 12-2 p.m. The attendance is also comparative- ly high when compared to the small numbers of persons involved. “There arc approximately 15 (Moslems) around campus,” El- Begearmi said, “and, of them, six to eight attend the prayer weekly.” Is the religion worth maintaing? “Sure it is,” he said, “The Moslem faith requires a group par- ticipation.” Hence, El-Begearmi said, the few who do come, keep the religion going. For those students whose religious persuasions are not represented on campus, many churches in Orono and Bangor will accommodate them by providing rides, according to the brochure provided by the religious af- fairs office. Whatever the case, the reasons for attending any religious affair is best said by Sister Nichols: “It’s a placeto grow intellectually, socially, and morally.” Photo by Mark St The Wilson Protestant Center is one of many religious centers ser- ving students at UMaine. 26

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the Barriers 1 tor|s, « •st l' «t making changes to make the campus more accessible to persons with disabilities, ” Logue said. Both Adams and Thibodeau agreed, but said more needs to be done. I think the campus is considerate of some things, but not everything,” Thibodeau said. “Something needs to be done about Stevens Hall. “What if a bright young person with a disability comes along and wants to major in history or something else with the department offices in Stevens Hall?” she asked. “Are they going to turn that person away just because the building is inaccessible? Everything should be ac- cessible to anyone who wants it. ”

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Campus ministries help students adjust by Debbie Dutton Staff Writer One of the most stressful ad- justments a young adult must make is the transition to college life. The cam- pus ministries at the University of Maine are there to help. The office of religious affairs is located in the Student Activities Office and comes under the jurisdiction of Associate Dean William Lucy. The purpose of the office is to help the campus ministries meet the needs of the campus by providing informa- tion and assistance to both students and clergy. “We are planning a dialogue session with campus ministries, administrators and students,” Lucy said. “We also give student listings to the clergy and help in directing students in who to see.” There are various types of ministries on campus, ranging from bible study and discussion groups represented by The Navigators and the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, to long-standing churches, such as the NcWman Center (Roman Catholic), Canterbury Club (Episcopal) and Maine Christian Association (Protestant). Rev. Thomas Chittick, the Protes- tant pastor at the Wilson Center, said he could speak on behalf of his church, the Newman Center and the Canter- bury Club, in relating the objectives of the campus ministries. “The three churches work together. Each of the church leaders were plac- ed here by our supporting chur- ches, Chittick said. We have two main objectives, we wear two hats — so to speak. The first purpose is a pastoral one, helping students to make a transiton in their faith when they come to college. The clergy are representatives of their faiths as teachers, pastors and supporters. The second objective is to be available to students, regardless of their faith, as a source of guidance. We try to support students in the enterprise of university life,” Chit- tick said. Chittick said he, for example, is the chaplain consultant at East Camprs. He attends resident director meetings, helps resident assistants and occasionally eats in the cafeteria to talk with students. “I try to be visible for the students, ” he said. “I'm someone to talk to who isn’t a member of Residen- tial Life — a friendly observer. ”