UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development at Penn State has earned recognition by the INSPIRES — Interfaith, Spiritual, Religious and Secular — Campus Climate Index as a top public institution in 2023.
The index serves as an assessment that measures, evaluates and represents an institutions effort and commitments towards an environment that welcomes students from different religious, spiritual and secular identities.
Penn State achieved a rating of four stars on a five-star scale, surpassing the two-star average for public institutions annually participating in the index. The highest ratings were awarded for extra-curricular engagement and spaces for support and expression.
The Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development (CSED), a unit in the division of Student Affairs, is a multi-faith learning community that offers programs and venue for the religious, spiritual and ethical character development of the Penn State community. It supports over 60 active religious and spiritual organizations and operates the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center and Eisenhower Chapel on the University Park campus, the largest of its kind.
Robert Smith, director of the CSED, noted that Penn State has been a consistent participant in the INSPIRES Index for several years and has consistently received high marks, setting a benchmark for public institutions in their support for students of all beliefs.
“The CSED serves to protect the religious freedoms of our students and provide advocacy when needed,” Smith said. “Penn State has long been a very big supporter of religious and spiritual activity on campus, which is not common at other public institutions. This support creates a greater sense of community amongst students, helping them feel that they are cared about and instilling a sense of belonging. Our staff and spaces are unique in the level of support we can offer our students.”
sBrian Patchcoski, assistant vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion in Student Affairs, said, “The Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development fosters belonging and inclusion for our student communities and creates an environment and space that contributes to their success during their academic journeys. The staff and students within the center have created a unique place for meaning-making, community engagement and expression that will continue to raise up Penn State, and the student experience we provide, as a a national leader.”
Learn more about CSED on the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development website.