Can state universities afford prayer rooms for religious students?; A meditation room suitable for prayer and reflection is in the works at California State University, Sacramento.
The effort began with a proposal from the Muslim Student Association. Devoted followers of Islam pray five times a day and finding a proper place for prayer can be difficult.
Muslim students developed a proposal for a room, which is in a fact-finding stage by other students. A meditation room would be dependent on the university finding space and resources, said Kim Nava, CSUS spokeswoman.
California State University Students, Sacramento hopefully will be getting a special room for prayer. Check out the November 17, 2011 news articles, "CSUS students seek room for meditation, prayer - Sacramento," and "Students Ask Sac State For Prayer Room « CBS Sacramento." Students sometimes conduct prayers in the parking structures.
A meditation room suitable for prayer and reflection is in the works at California State University, Sacramento. The meditation and prayer room will be open to people of all religions and no religion (if you want to meditate to relax). It will be open for prayer, meditation, and reflection.
How the room probably will be scheduled is that Muslim students pray five times a day. The effort started when the Muslim Student Association at CSUS wrote a proposal.
For anyone of any religion or none, for example, someone seeking a room for meditation and reflection, can use such a room.
The effort began with a proposal from the Muslim Student Association at CSUS. Devoted followers of Islam pray five times a day and finding a proper place for prayer can be difficult. Other religions pray or meditate at other times. That's the multi-ethnic, multi-culture ambiance of the room.
For example if you're Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Sikh, or any other religion or no religion, you can finally have a room to meditate or pray that is meant for prayer or meditation.
Muslim students developed a proposal for a room, which is in a fact-finding stage by other students. A meditation room would be dependent on the university finding space and resources, according to the Sacramento Bee article, "CSUS students seek room for meditation, prayer - Sacramento."
What do students who don't pray meditate on in any given prayer room? Now, let's just say you're religion is philosophy or meditation of your choice. You could meditate on this concept: ἀεὶ ὁ θεὸς γεωμετρεῖ: Aei ho theos geōmetreî. "God always geometrizes", Plato · Plutarch elaborated on this phrase in his essay Πῶς Πλάτων ἔλεγε τὸν θεὸν. Or you could meditate or pray on your own faith. It's good to have a quiet room on campus for prayer, a room of prayer for all the people. That ancient concept applies to many religions or to natural observations.
Whether the room moves forward depends now up how tight resources are. The prayer room is for all denominations or none or all religions who want a prayer room. Sometimes before exams, a prayer room is the relaxing place to pray and meditate before exams as well as daily prayers.
The Muslim Student Association on campus had to look for quiet locations to pray five times a day. Students who kneel while praying find it very uncomfortable to kneel on grass or concrete sidewalks, especially when the grass is wet or when it's raining on the concrete. Safety is foremost when choosing a place to pray or meditate, since winter in Sacramento means rain.
Students are tired of praying in the parking parking structures or looking for quiet places to pray. And many other California and other state universities all have prayer rooms for all religious students.
Examples include the UC Berkeley, Georgetown University, University of Portland and Trinity College. These prayer rooms offer the room for any religious student who wants to pray or meditate. California State University, Sacramento officials are open to the idea. Will they be able to find the resources, money, and space considering all the cuts to schools and the 9 percent tuition hikes?
After all, $2 billion in spending cuts to schools and state services will be cut in two months. Presently CSUS officials will be speaking with UC Berkeley officials in a few days to find ways to have the much needed prayer room for students who want to pray and meditate on campus.
Students Ask Sac State For Prayer Room
Some religious students are asking Sacramento State to open a prayer room for all denominations, but although university officials are supportive of the idea, they say tight resources may not allow them to move forward with the concept soon.
The Muslim Student Association said a number of students have been forced to choose creative locations to pray five times a day. While it can be uncomfortable to kneel on grass or sidewalks after a storm, safety has emerged as a bigger concern.
“I’ve heard of kids praying in the parking structures,” said Aida Sellmic.
Other colleges, including UC Berkeley, Georgetown University, University of Portland and Trinity College all offer prayer rooms for all religious students, and Sacramento State officials said they are open to the idea.
“Obviously, the biggest hurdle is resources and the space,” said spokesperson Kim Nava.
California State University trustees approved a 9 percent tuition hike during a tumultuous meeting Wednesday, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office warned that $2 billion in spending cuts to schools and state services will automatically be triggered at the first of the year.
Sacramento State officials said they plan to speak with UC Berkeley officials this week to discuss ways to implement the prayer room.
No comments:
Post a Comment