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Winter’s Catholic and Jewish colleagues agree. "Our goal is to provide a holistic approach to the academic experience," says Mary Humenay, who, along with Father Scott Kubinski, serves as chaplain to the Catholic community. "We have a long-standing saying here: There’s more to our community than just Sunday mass." "The Jewish community at Ithaca College does more than conduct religious services," adds Michael Faber, who has served as the Jewish chaplain since 1982. "Being Jewish is an important component of identity and self-realization, and ‘doing Jewish’ is how that identity is actualized. There are Jews who equate that with going to synagogue, but that’s only one expression of this dynamic. Going bowling together is another. So is raising money for overseas relief. So is working in a soup kitchen." The faith communities have more in common than their goal to broaden the religious experience. Their structure, for example. The College provides the three communities with funds, a secretary, and office and worship space in Muller Chapel (see sidebar on the chapel’s 25th anniversary). Each of the three campus faiths is also part of an external administrative organization: the Catholic community is a parish within the diocese of Rochester; Protestants operate under the auspices of the Protestant Community of Ithaca, an independent board composed mainly of local churches; and the Jewish community is affiliated with Hillel, the international organization for Jewish campus life. "The College chaplains
work as a campus ministry team to meet the religious needs of our students,"
says Brian McAree, vice president for student affairs and campus life.
"If a student’s religious background is not represented in our three faith
communities, the chaplains are happy to help them connect with other faith
communities in the local area." On campus, students find additional outlets
for religious expression --- within other established religions or simply
personal spirituality --- through recognized clubs and organizations.
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"We
have students interested in social justice, people interested in prayer,
and others who come for the music," says Protestant chaplain Eileen Winter,
who has served the College for 11 years (but is leaving this summer to
finish up her doctorate). "I don’t see my job as pulling in people around
my interests, but in making sure people who want to explore different
aspects of their faith get together and find each other."