Increasingly, some college and university administrations are becoming a little less friendly to religious organizations it seems. Depending on where and who, some are friendly, some are neutral, and some are negative. I believe in freedom of religion and that that is part of who we are as a country. I get a public university not promoting it. But, I also don't get some being negative toward religious groups. In fact, I believe there are good reasons that they would cooperate with Christian groups for their own benefit. I am not including non-Christian religious groups because I have no direct knowledge of their activities. I would assume many of these same reasons would apply to them also. While I would not share the beliefs of all religious groups, I believe they have the right to be on campus.
6 Reasons it is to the Advantage of College Administrations to work with Christian Campus Ministries:
1. RETENTION - Retention is a buzz word these days for colleges. As the number of high school graduates is decreasing, enrollment numbers will begin to struggle. So, keeping students is key. Some say as many as 30% of freshmen drop out before the end of the first year. Christian college ministries work individually with students doing informal counseling, encouraging, etc. I have gotten lots of phone calls from parents and pastors asking me to check on and work with homesick freshmen.
2. CHRISTIAN GROUPS ARE FREE TO STUDENTS - Colleges give a great deal of attention and help to fraternities and sororities because they provide a place to belong and participate. Studies show that students active in a student organization are more likely to be happy and stay in school. Greek life costs and can even be very expensive. Participation in a campus Christian group is free. It provides group opportunities and belonging for students and at no cost. So, working with Greek organizations and religious groups falls into the same catagory.
3. CHRISTIAN GROUPS WORK WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - Colleges want International students for a variety of reasons and one of those is they are money makers for schools. International students pay all the fees and highest tuition rates. They do not get in-state tuition reduction, etc. Most Christian ministries reach out to International students and provide a variety of opportunities. Many offer the opportunity for an American Host family and provide conversation partners. These are things the school wants to see happen among a highly prized population.
4. CHRISTIAN GROUPS ARE RECRUITERS - In the south there are many well known and large Christian campus ministries. A factor in many Christian students choosing that school is the presence of that ministry. Christian parents often encourage their son or daughter to attend a school with a strong ministry group and that can be a factor in a choice between two schools.
5. CHRISTIAN GROUPS ARE NO COST TO THE CAMPUS - The school does not pay the Campus Minister and where there is a campus center or house, they do not pay for its construction, maintenance or operation. Faculty and administration do not work for free. Campus Ministers are a free benefit to the campus.
6. CAMPUS CHRISTIAN GROUPS DO NOT BRING BAD PUBLICITY - There are news stories every year about campuses where a Greek organization is in trouble for hazing or even involved in the death of a student. Athletic departments generate negative publicity with cheating in recruiting or grade issues. Very, very rarely does a Christian ministry have to be punished by the school for a violation or that it makes the news in any negative way. In fact, the news of good things happening in a campus ministry is a plus in the reputation of a campus for many.
College administrations should be a willing and fair partner with any group or organization that is working for the benefit of their students and that campus. Some recognize that and practice it while others do not. That is to the loss of those campuses who do not. Campus ministries are the best bargain a college has!
Arliss Dickerson's college ministry books are on sale in August at amazon.com/dp/B08CMD9CXX.
No comments:
Post a Comment