One important component of the mission of the Chaplains’ Office is –
- to promote courageous, candid and transformative dialogue among religious communities, and between theologies and other disciplines of intellectual life
The relationships between communities of faith representing the great religious and spiritual traditions of the world are among the most rewarding aspects of life and learning in a setting as diverse and as stimulating as Williams College.
These relationships have also been a source of some of the most dangerous and damaging strife that the human community has experienced. And though the standard of cordial respect that pervades the life of the College has been a hallmark of relationships within its families of faith, it may be helpful to rearticulate certain essential principles to which all campus religious groups (whether officially registered student organizations or informal affinity groups) adhere in their ministry to or programming for Williams College students:
- Respect for student boundaries – Students, as individuals and in groups, have the right to expect that when they respectfully decline invitations to certain religious activities, or express the desire not to be contacted by their sponsors, these expressions will be respected. So when students decline invitations to meetings, conversations, programs, services or other activities, they can be sure that they will not experience pressure, judgment or harassment in response.
- Respect for religious and spiritual diversity – Students, as individuals and in groups, have the right to expect that their personal religious or spiritual commitments (or lack of them) will be honored by others. So when students express a commitment to a particular community or set of beliefs, they can be sure that they will not be on the receiving end of expressions of negative judgments by those holding other beliefs, in public or in private.
- Respect for honesty and candor – Students and all members of the Williams community have the right to expect that events sponsored by particular religious groups, or events that will espouse points of view that are associated with a particular faith, will be clearly identified as such. Posters, fliers, email messages, etc. will carry the name of the sponsoring group; students who choose to attend events and gatherings can be sure that the sponsor will be fully open about their perspective and purpose.
- Respect for the place of religious and spiritual life – All members of the Williams community can expect that the activities and programs of its constituent communities of faith will make positive contributions to the role of religious and spiritual commitments in the life of this College.
rev. 9/07
