POLICY REGARDING RELIGIOUS SOLICITATION

Occidental College encourages the religious and spiritual growth of its students, faculty and staff. The College promotes the respect of all religions and recognizes the validity of any individual's decision to participate in a spiritual tradition. It expects that the members of the College will respect the right of privacy of religious belief and the right to manifest the values of those beliefs.

The following are set down as guidelines for behavior that respects the rights of individual privacy in regard to religion. The College encourages the free discussion of values among willing participants and inter-religious dialogue. In the residence halls, it is not appropriate to engage in door-to-door or uninvited solicitation to religious involvement. But it IS appropriate to announce events and issue invitations at public gatherings, such as hall spreads.

Religious interaction outside the residence halls is up to the conscience of each individual. However, harassment of individuals for their beliefs is strictly out of place. This includes:

• unwelcome solicitations for religious events;
• misrepresentation of religious activities;
• unwanted intrusions into an individual's privacy in the name of religion or as a criticism of the individual's religion or philosophy;
• harassment around personal life choices which may be counter to others'
  religious beliefs

The Office for Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL) organizes and facilitates religious life on campus and it is the home of the officially recognized religious groups at Occidental. For a religious group to use campus facilities or resources, engage in activities or sponsor events, it must register with the director and agree to the religious policies of the College. Religious Advisors must receive written certification in order to coordinate events on campus. Religious policies specify the relationship of the College to religious groups, religious groups to each other and religious groups to their members. Copies are available at the ORSL.

The ORSL provides resources to enable students and staff to explore their own spiritual identity and to foster respect for the beliefs and traditions of others. The director offers counseling and support to all members of the College. The religious advisors at the ORSL provide leadership for particular denominations and faiths. It is the desire of the College that every religion feel at home at Occidental. Any complaint or problem should be reported to the director as soon as possible.

- Occidental College Student Handbook

POLICY REGARDING PROMOTION OF GROUPS AND EVENTS

The ORSL of Occidental College does not officially endorse any policy or idea held by any event or group that meets on campus or in another location and/or is promoted by email, voicemail, website, banner or flyer. All such messages are for information only.