Getting Involved -- Mission Statement
The mission of the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL)
is to support Occidental students, faculty and staff in their
pursuit of a vibrant and meaningful spiritual and religious life
while engaging religious diversity with a commitment to acceptance,
mutual respect, awareness and dialogue. ORSL is a source of support
for students as they move from a conventionally assumed faith, or no faith background, to critically appropriated faith. We encourage
students to explore questions about spirituality, values and beliefs as part of
their intellectual journey.
Program Goals
The Office for Religious and Spiritual Life serves students, staff and faculty at Occidental College by providing leadership and resources for programs that explore spirituality, religion, ethics, moral development,
community engagement, social justice, religious diversity and the pursuit of meaningful work.
In creating a rich context for spiritual growth and development and to advance the liberal arts mission of the College, we promote:
Intellectual inquiry and debate
Exploration of human values and ethics
Freedom to choose one’s spiritual or religious path
Critical engagement with religious texts and teachings
Respect for others’ religions and beliefs
Compassion and service
Space for meditation, reflection and prayer
Community building through meaningful practices and community action, and
Independent, critical, and creative spiritual and religious exploration.
We help students explore the question: How does my spiritual development intersect with my intellectual growth? Spiritual reflection is an integral aspect of the college experience, leading to the cultivation of the whole person. We encourage students to engage the big questions concerning truth, morality, religious beliefs and meaning. All members of the Occidental Community are welcome to participate in our programs and utilize our services.
Student Spiritual and Religious Life on Campus
The Director of Religious and Spiritual Life works with the
Occidental student Interfaith Council to promote interfaith
community service and dialogue. We also oversee the following student spiritual and religious groups on campus:
