Some of us have been walking around this structure situated in the middle of campus for two years and now, finally it is opening it’s doors to the public this week.
Opinions are polarized as some students despise the idea while others have expressed great anticipation to pray or worship in the center but how exactly are students supposed to use this multi-million dollar facility?
Many questions have been floating around campus because of heavy cloak of mystery cast over the Sykes Chapel Center For Faith and Values.
Are there to be services and will all major religions truly be represented?
Will classes be held inside the facility?
Will student events get priority over outside parties like weddings and the like?
What will be the extent of student involvement?
Are students allowed to take solace in the Chapel for extended periods of time?
This could be a great opportunity for students of many faiths to equally express their enthusiasm to share their religions.
However, the hush hush handling of the project especially tight restrictions on things like attaining images for media before the opening is a bit off-putting for some.
Although it seems that students need to be “on the list” in order to enter the opening Chapel Center of Faith and Values, some faculty seem really interested in giving students voice in the project.
It has been said that different religious officials like Imams, Rabbis and others have been consulted with to make the Center truly diverse for students.
Some select students were even consulted during the process and had input in things they wanted to see in the Center which is great in terms of student involvement.
No matter what controversy or mystery surrounds the Center; it’s here and students should use this opportunity to proudly show the diversity of their faiths by coming out for the opening and celebrating together.
It will be wonderful indeed to be hand in hand with students who want to share religious and philosophical beliefs with others.
Any opportunity to spread unity is one worth coming out for.
Even though the invitation was sent out three weeks ago and didn’t quite meet the weekly announcements this week, don’t forget to be involved in something that effects you and your campus.
It will be great celebrating with fellow students of different faiths and philosophies a place where hopefully education of religious coexistence can be learned.
The Center is said to offer education on meditation and similar activities although not everything offered is not all the way clear. We are lucky to have Muslim, Hindu, Christian and other students of many other faiths in considerable numbers on campus.
It is great that we will all have a common place to possibly share with each other peacefully and equally.
In a time brimming with so much religious turmoil, it’s a good thing that the University of Tampa is trying to be a place where we are encouraged to discuss and live in peace as a student body regardless of faith or culture.
While many questions are yet to be answered, perhaps it is best to be optimistic that the veil of mystery will be lifted on Friday December 10th at 2:00pm.
Feel free to go check it out and participate in a tour. The architecture involved truly is breathtaking and isn’t something you wouldn’t want to miss.
The Sykes Chapel Center for Faith and Values could be a friendly place to those who want to take advantage of what it has to offer.
What the future holds for the center will be intriguing indeed.
Nicole Robinson can be reached at nrobinson@spartans.ut.edu