In today's material world, one may think spirituality is an outdated concept for younger generations.
Yet many students, both at Penn and at other schools across the nation, care deeply about their spiritual growth, hoping to find some deeper meaning in life.
A recent survey conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute of the University of California at Los Angeles found that over 70 percent of students said that their religious beliefs are important to their identity. This majority also reported that they had attended religious services in the past year and had discussed religion or spirituality with their friends.
"We were somewhat surprised," at the high numbers, said Jennifer Lindholm, project director of the Spirituality of Higher Education survey. "We were surprised that 77 percent say they pray."
Yet members of religious organizations at Penn considered the percentages to be accurate representations of student beliefs.
"I think it's reflected at Penn," said Wharton senior Rishi Bhutada, a board member of the Hindu Students Council/Young Jains of America. "A lot of students find spirituality is a necessary component of their lives."
According to Lindholm, students become less engaged in religious services upon entering college. But, both she and many Penn students said that the lack of practice was not necessarily an impediment to spiritual growth.
"In some sense, being spiritual doesn't mean having to follow a certain religion," Bhutada said.
Researchers suggested that professors should encourage secular spiritual discussion in class, adding a nonmaterialistic purpose to education. Students were less sure, with several saying that classes should stick to an academic focus.
"I don't know if it's so much the professor's role," Lutheran Students Organization Peer Minister and College sophomore Christine Myers said.
"The way universities can increase spiritual awareness... is by supporting the energy already there," Myers added.
For many students, support means financial backing. Several said they wanted the University to provide funding for religious organizations on campus.
Others, though, pointed to potential problems that could arise concerning apparent religious favoritism.
"If something's going on that involves intolerant or controversial behavior, I think having University funding could get mixed up with that," Hillel Education Chairwoman and College sophomore Rachel Rosenthal said. "I think that can make things very complicated."
Acknowledging these pitfalls, some proposed funding for interfaith programs and called for increased dialogue on campus about religion and spirituality.
"The University understands spirituality on campus is important," Myers said. "I think there could be a lot more discussions."
Spirituality remains an abstract concept, but students said that may be appropriate considering its personal and individual nature.
"I think that people are hard-pressed to define what spirituality means," Rosenthal said. "I'm not sure spirituality is something cultivated from outside."
It is unfortunate that sometimes "bureaucratic layers of religion have got in the way of spirituality," Engineering senior Amin Venjara said. "A lot of people want to engage in the idea of spirituality... but it lacks a component of practice."
