Religion

Since Mississippi State University is a non-sectarian institution, it seeks to provide a climate of freedom in which the private and corporate religious life of the students can be expressed. Students and others within the campus community are free to worship or not to worship, in accord with their convictions and beliefs.

The Chapel of Memories, with its George D. Perry Carillon Tower, in the center of the campus, is open to individual students for meditation and prayer throughout the day and evening. It may also be reserved through the Event Services Office for weddings, funerals, initiations, and group religious activities. Student religious groups are registered through the Center for Student Involvement in the Colvard Student Union to provide the co-curricular involvement of students in programs of study, worship, fellowship and service. Four of these groups, the Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, and Church of Christ, have off-campus facilities. In those cases where a minister or faculty advisor is not provided by the preferred group, every effort will be made to put the student in touch with someone of his or her faith in the area.

The University Common Ministry, composed of ministers engaged in campus ministry at the University, has been serving the needs of students since December 20, 1978. In addition, more than 30 active student religious groups are registered with the Center for Student Involvement.

The Univeristy realizes that for some students their spiritual growth is as important to them as their academic growth. The Dean of Students' office serves as a liaison between the university and this conglomerate of various campus ministry organizations. The University Common Ministry serves in a support and referral capacity for those students who find themselves in the need of spiritual counseling or guidance. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at: dos@msstate.edu

In addition to the practice of religion within the student religious groups, an opportunity to learn about religions of the world is provided through credit courses in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, as well as non-credit courses offered through the church-related groups.