Washington & Jefferson College is an independent institution subject only to the control of its Board of Trustees. It is not affiliated with any religious denomination. As an educational institution in the liberal arts tradition, W&J is committed to the growth of the whole person. The college offers opportunities for religious inquiry through academic courses and recognizes the value and place of spiritual development in its curricular and extracurricular programs.
The tradition of the College is nonsectarian, ensuring individual students complete freedom in their religious beliefs. In that respect, the first priority of religious life on campus is the spiritual well being of every student, regardless of faith or creed.
Within the spirit and practice of free inquiry, campus culture should enable, yet not inhibit, students to investigate connections between their chosen academic fields, their career aspirations, their community involvement, and their spiritual values. The College offers opportunities for religious inquiry through academic courses and recognizes the value and place of spiritual development in its curricular and extracurricular programs and commits its facilities and resources to the nurturing process by providing support for students as they continue to grow morally and spiritually.
Five student organizations exist to help meet the spiritual and social needs of students—the Hillel Society, the Student Christian Association, the Newman Club, the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, and the Interfaith Leadership Club. All student religious organizations are expected to be consistent with the educational mission of the College. These organizations, like all other recognized campus organizations, are responsible to the Office of Student Life, the student government, and the faculty.
Students are afforded opportunities for religious expression through self-initiated activities. The Religious Activities Board is responsible for assisting in planning, coordinating, and implementing religious programs at the College, encouraging interfaith cooperation and communication.
While religious life opportunities exist on campus, students are also encouraged to worship with the congregations available in the community. More than two dozen congregations are located within walking distance of the campus. Additional churches and places of worship are located farther away; many of them will provide transportation upon request.
Explore W&J's spiritual and religious
student clubs and organizations.
Washington & Jefferson College is an independent institution subject only to the control of its Board of Trustees. The tradition of the College is nonsectarian, ensuring all students complete freedom in their religious beliefs.
The College offers opportunities for religious inquiry through academic courses and recognizes the value and place of spiritual development in its curricular and extracurricular programs. While religious life opportunities exist on campus, students are also encouraged to worship with the congregations available in the community.
The College Chaplain coordinates a program that includes religious activities, advising student religious organizations, spiritual counseling of students, and functions as liaison with community religious organizations. Students are afforded opportunities for religious expression through self-initiated activities. The Religious Activities Board is responsible for assisting in planning, coordinating, and implementing religious programs at the College, encouraging interfaith cooperation and communication.
All student religious organizations are expected to be consistent with the educational mission of the College. They are to conduct their meetings in approved locations under the guidance of the Office of the College Chaplain. These organizations like all other recognized campus organizations are responsible to the Office of Student Life, the student government, and the faculty.
The Religious Activities Board (RAB) functions under the administrative Office of the College Chaplain and is responsible to the Office of Student Life. The College Chaplain convenes the Board at appropriate times during the school year.
The Board consists of representatives of existing student religious organizations (students and advisors) and other invited members, with these aims:
- to assist in planning, coordinating, and implementing religious programs at the College
- to foster the vitality and enhance the growth and development of each existing student religious organization at W&J
- to identify, assist, and provide guidance to new or emerging student religious groups that wish to organize and achieve recognition by Student Government
- to provide a forum for religious issues, topics, or timely debates that surface at the college
- to provide assistance to inactive student religious organizations
- to encourage ecumenical and interfaith cooperation and communication
- to broaden the spectrum of student religious leadership on campus
- to take seriously W&J as a pluralistic society
