UNIVERSITY CHAPLAINCY POLICY ON RELIGIOUS AND
SPIRITUAL GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS AT TUFTS UNIVERSITY
The Office of the University Chaplaincy includes the University Chaplain, who reports directly to the University President, Administrative Staff, and four other Chaplains, who are appointed by both the University Chaplain and the University President and who represent the Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Protestant faiths
on campus and Administrative Staff hired by the University Chaplain.
The University Chaplain will work closely with the Chaplains as they relate, in an advisory capacity, to all student religious groups/organizations with connections to their broad religious affiliations. Groups that do not fall within the specific Chaplain’s auspices will connect directly to the University Chaplain and are encouraged to seek out the services of a Designated Advisor.
Chaplains, affiliated student groups, and advisors will honor the University’s commitment to diversity in values and beliefs, civility, and non-discrimination.
When student groups are seeking recognition from the Office of Student Life, if they are religious groups, they will need approval by the University Chaplain and will need to meet the following criteria:
- There is a need that is not being met by established and recognized religious/spiritual groups already on campus. No duplication will be allowed.
- The new group has to welcome and allow non-members/followers/believers to attend all meetings, services, or gatherings, honoring the University’s policies of non-discrimination and free speech.
- The new group is able to respect other religious groups on campus and act out of that respect.
- The new group will be transparent about its identity and affiliations.
- The new group will not attempt to convert and engage in the act of “winning people over” or challenging the belief or lack thereof of any member of the Tufts University family.
- Cults as defined in the “Understanding Cults” brochure of the Office of the University Chaplain will not be accepted as religious student groups.
See “Relationship between Established Religious Communities and the Chaplaincy at Tufts” under
Policy and Procedures on our website www.tufts.edu/chaplaincy.
