The University Religious Council (URC) is a collection of the ministers/directors of the religious/spiritual/cultural groups at the University of Arizona. This organization has been in existence since 1948, helping to provide spiritual support and growth to students. The URC has its own constitution, policies, meetings, and annual dues.
The goal of this council is to promote spiritual benefits for students, faculty, and staff at the UA. To that end, membership is based on adherence to accepted norms of behavior towards students, faculty, and staff, as outlined in the URC Bylaws, and not on theological or faith affiliation.
Now, as in 1948, the URC is a voluntary organization. The URC recognizes the value that being part of a religious community offers college students and that such communities have mutual needs and interests regardless of faith or theological affiliation. Therefore, we seek to gather a diverse group of campus ministers and directors of religious groups at the University of Arizona to form a cooperative council.
We are committed as a communications conduit between Southern Arizona’s Religious communities and the UA. We also value and welcome your input. Please email your questions, suggestions, or comments.
Main URC email: urcuofa@gmail.com
Hannah Bonner
President, University Religious Council
hannah.bonner@gmail.com
Jennifer Hatcher, RN, PhD
Interim Associate Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
jhatcher@arizona.edu
Meetings
The council members are alumni, educators, retirees and community members who are interested in helping the university achieve its goal of embracing our diversity as a strategic source of strength. The council meetings are open to community members. If you are a community member who is interested in joining or attending the URC meetings, please contact Office of Diversity & Inclusion at urcuofa@gmail.com for more information.
Resources
Religious Conduct on Campus
Being a part of a religious faith community can be a great source of support for college students. Many such groups exist on the University of Arizona campus. Most are helpful, ethical, and have the best interest of students at heart. Unfortunately, incidents of religious practices gone awry sometimes do occur. Listed below are several warning signs.
RED FLAGS
Religious Stalking
Warning Signs: Persistent unwanted door knocks, phone calls, or hanging around your living space means people have crossed boundaries. You have the right to say “No,” and that should be respected.
Invasiveness
Warning Signs: Attempts to gain inappropriate personal, financial, sexual, and/or emotional information about/from you.
Deception
Warning Signs: Failure to clearly identify themselves. A religious group’s identity, affiliation, and advertising should be unambiguous, with beliefs and practices transparent. For example, ‘surveys,’ ‘contests,’ and other recruitment methods should identify the organization and the full purpose of the contest/event.
Pressure
Warning Signs: Pressure to not date or associate with others outside the religious group; to lie to or disengage from your family and/or religious community; or to avoid other campus activities and groups.
Shame
Warning Signs: Religious groups who say that if you don’t join their group, give money, or spend time with them, then you don’t really love God.
Religious Manipulation
Warning Signs: Strategies that target vulnerable students. Methods which seek to break down and then rebuild students. Instances of over-the-top niceness used as a form of entrapment.
PLEASE REPORT improper or questionable incidents to:
- Dean of Students at 520-621-7057
- Your RA or Hall Director
- University Religious Council at 520-623-7575 or urcuofa@gmail.com
- If in danger call UA Police Department at 9-1-1
A diversity of religious groups exist on campus. While the goal is not theological conformity, ALL religious groups should strive for:
- Respect for students, faculty, and staff
- Highest standards of honesty in advertising and transparency of intent
- Greatest amount of civility toward one another