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Before SUNY ESF opened its Interfaith Space, Ava Wiggins had to run to her dorm or Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel between classes to find a place to pray. Wiggins, who identifies as Muslim, said she prays two to three times a day as part of her faith.

Located on the first floor of ESF’s Moon Library, the new space is open to students, faculty and staff for meditation, prayer and quiet reflection. The Interfaith Space hosted its open house Tuesday morning for students to visit the new space. Members of ESF’s Interfaith Council led attendees through guided meditations and box breathing exercise sessions.

The ESF sophomore, studying aquatic and fisheries science, said the lack of a nearby space made it difficult to fulfill her prayer needs and attend classes on time. Wiggins, a member of the interfaith council, which oversees the prayer and meditation room, attended the open house.

“I’ve noticed such a big change in my own morale,” Wiggins said. “Being able to stop at the library, go pray, and then go to class, I don’t feel like I’m always rushing and choosing between my spiritual needs and my academic needs.”

Though the space has only been open for a few weeks, Wiggins said it has already made her schedule less stressful. She said providing comfort for those who use the space is one of the Interfaith Council’s main goals. The council, which includes students, faculty, staff and community members, held its first meeting last week.

The space is funded through a grant the school received last fall. ESF is one of 22 SUNY campuses to receive funding to furnish or enhance its interfaith prayer and reflection spaces. Renee McNamara, ESF’s dean of students, said the grant intended to promote inclusivity and create a welcoming environment for all students.

She said the Interfaith Space is open to the entire community and hopes the meditation room will help students foster a greater sense of belonging on campus.

“I think there’s a want and need for this space,” McNamara said. “We have had requests since I’ve been here at ESF for students to have a space on campus where they can come and just have a quiet space, either for prayer or meditation or reflection.”

Sarah Fessler, ESF director of student success and engagement, echoed McNamara. Fessler said she hopes the space will serve as a symbol of hope and resilience amid recent legislation from the White House targeting diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, his administration has followed through on campaign promises to cut DEI initiatives. Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, recently announced plans to cut over $880 million in employee contracts from the United States Department of Education.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion is really at the forefront of a lot of conversations,” Fessler said. “In a time where students and even faculty, staff and community members are really feeling stressed out and worried about the future, this can provide a sense of comfort and a space for people to come and reconcile with all of those things.”

Despite the council’s limited time on campus, Wiggins said she believes the group can use the space to reach a larger audience.

“I hope that as time goes on and we get more signage and stuff where the room is, that more students will be able to feel comfortable in supporting their own spiritual needs as well with the room here,” Wiggins said.

Wiggins also hopes the room will play a crucial role in addressing the lack of spiritual and religious support services at ESF. The space’s accessibility, she said, makes her feel heard and respected—a feeling she hopes other students who use the space will share.

The council plans to host a tabling event at Hendricks, where a chaplain will speak to promote the space. As a member of SU’s Muslim Students Association, Wiggins believes the space could inspire more ESF students to strengthen their partnership with the university.

“I see a very bright future for the council and this room,” Wiggins said. “I just want this to be a safe space for students, and I want them to see this room and see the council and understand that we are here to support them, and you don’t have to choose between two things that are important to you. We can have both.”

DISCLAIMER: News Editor Duncan Green is a student intern on InterFaith Works of CNY’s Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship. Green did not influence the editorial content of this story.

Published on February 20, 2025 at 1:42 am

Contact Henry: hdaley@syr.edu