Dani Somerville ENC 1102H 3/18/2014 Religion and College Life Introduction College is more than just a form

of higher education, it is one of the most crucial experiences an individual undergoes. During this time a sense of self-discovery is sparked within a student. An immense influence on the development of college students is religion. There have been numerous studies on how religious practices and spirituality have affected college campuses. Usually, people adopt the same religious beliefs as their parents and continue this tradition for their future generations. College provides freedom for an individual, especially if they leave home for school. This allows them to embrace their own set of beliefs that might differ from those of their family. Religion allows students to find a sense of belonging and creates a sort of community. There are many opportunities on college campuses that allow students to strengthen their faith to religion, like religious clubs, on campus worship buildings, etc. It is scientifically proven that there is a strong correlation between devotion to religion and satisfaction with college. Religion encourages various social interactions between students of similar beliefs, which is why many universities support religious clubs and events. However, this increase in religious affiliated activities may also have negative effects on the social atmosphere throughout a university. In some instances, religion has caused an increase in prejudices and isolationism amongst different religious groups. The continuation of religious practices during an individuals collegiate experience consequently influences their social life and interactions with other students.

Anye, Ernest Tamanji, Tara L. Gallien, Hui Bian, and Michael Moulton. "The Relationship Between Spiritual Well-Being and Health-Related Quality of Life in College Students." Journal of American College Health 61.7 (2013): 414-21. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. This article examines the strong correlation between spiritual well-being (SWB) and various aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQL) of college students. Two hundred twenty-ve students took part in a survey using the Spiritual Well-Being Scale and it was concluded that those who scored higher on the scale reported better quality of life and higher

self-ratings of their health. It has been scientifically proven that spirituality and religion are inherently inter- twined, and thus the two phenomena represent related rather than independent constructs. There is a strong sense of spirituality spread across college campuses that improves the well-being of students. For instance, Turner and Willis found signicant differences between religious and nonreligious students in the use of alcohol and marijuana, as well as in reasons for abstaining from drugs such as marijuana, amphetamines, barbiturates, and hallucinogens, which consequently creates a healthier college environment. Non-religious students were less motivated and reported many unhealthy days. The survey aroused the idea that counselors could orientate students who could benefit from the religious aspects of spirituality to campus-based religious organizations where trained clergy could help them develop their spiritual well-being. Since this article deals with the relationship between the spiritual well-being and quality of life of college students, it is appropriate to use as a source. The article explains how a strong sense of religion usually causes a student to make wiser and less reckless decisions. I chose this article because it clearly defines the topic of spirituality and quality of life. It provides statistics on how students who are religious reported abstaining from things like drugs and alcohol. This causes students to socialize in certain groups with people that share similar religious views. Also, the article concludes with the idea that college counselors could introduce students to various religious groups that would positively impact their collegiate experiences. Kneipp, Lee B., Kathryn E. Kelly, and Cheryl DuBois. "Religious Orientation: The Role of College Environment and Classification." College Student Journal. 45.1 (2011): 143-50. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. This article discusses the relationship between college environment and classification on religious orientation. The undergraduate years of college are a time where religion either develops or diminishes. Religion can be described using two different aspects, the idea of intrinsic and extrinsic religious orientation. Intrinsic religious orientation is related to spirituality since it is internally constructed. Whereas the extrinsic orientation involves aspects like attending church and performing religious rituals. It is proven that intrinsically oriented individuals have been found to be physically healthier and had greater self-esteem and potential for personal growth than other students. They also adjusted to college easily and had a greater positive outlook on life. On the other hand, extrinsic religious orientation is correlated with higher levels of prejudice, dogmatism, anxiety, and a lower level of altruism. Extrinsically religious students demonstrate religious behaviors in order to gain social status or acceptance. It has been concluded that intrinsic religious orientation is more mature faith while extrinsic religious orientation is the use of religion for other goals such as social status or personal gain. It is established that a students level of religiosity is reinforced by like-minded peers and increased opportunity for religious activities. This article fits in very well with the research question. The main idea of this article is how a students religious orientation affects the college environment. The article establishes two different orientations, intrinsic and extrinsic. The intrinsic orientation can be used to describe how students within this classification receive more physical benefits than those of extrinsic orientation. Since they were proven to be more motivated and content with life, they easily

adjusted to college. However, the extrinsic classification relates to the research question the best. Students who were extrinsically religious use religion as a form of social acceptance. These students search for a sense of belonging and high social standing. These students exclusively group together based on their religion, which creates prejudices.

Kornfeld, Jason. "What Role Does Religion Play in Your Life?" Personal interview. 27 Mar. 2014. Lin, Emily. "What Role Does Religion Play in Your Life?" Personal interview. 27 Mar. 2014. McKeown, Emily. "What Role Does Religion Play in Your Life?" Personal interview. 27 Mar. 2014. Picchiello, Michael. "What Role Does Religion Play in Your Life?" Personal interview. 27 Mar. 2014. Yasher, Aviel. "What Role Does Religion Play in Your Life?" Personal interview. 27 Mar. 2014. I conducted a personal interview in order to discover the role of religion in the lives of college students. In order to get fair and unbiased results, I approached five students at random and interviewed them. The interview was comprised of twelve questions pertaining to religious beliefs and practices. The first few questions were asked to see if the student affiliated with a certain religion and if it was the same religion as their family. I then asked the students if they were a part of any religious affiliated clubs on campus, how religious they consider themselves, and how often they attend religious services. The latter questions asked how religion has shaped their college experience and their social life. Questions like Do you typically surround yourself with others of the same religious group? and Do you ever feel isolated due to your religion? supported my hypothesis that religion immensely affects social interactions between students. This interview provided information that help answer the research question. I received very useful results that were completely random and impartial. The interview results expressed the statistics that most of the other sources stated. For instance, one of the sources proclaims that students usually socialize with students of similar religious beliefs. After interviewing the five students, the majority of them said that they are a part of a religious affiliated organization on campus and like to surround themselves with people of their religion.

Mooney, Margarita. "Religion, College Grades, and Satisfaction among Students at Elite Colleges and Universities." Sociology of Religion 71.2 (2010): 197-215. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. The focus of this paper is how religion affects students academic performance and level of satisfaction at college. The sample for this study is students attending some of the most selective universities in the United States. Religiosity is measured based on the weekly attendance of religious services and the intensity of observance of religious traditions and customs. The study also took into account time spent partying, studying and in extracurricular activities. Those students with a higher level of religiosity spend more time on academic work and report going to fewer parties compared to less religious students. Also, more religious

students have a higher level of satisfaction with their college experience. More African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and women are attending college than ever before which might explain the increase in college religious groups. An experiment done by UCLA determined that students who engage in religious or spiritual practices report (1) greater satisfaction with their social life on campus, (2) a more positive evaluation of interaction with other students, (3) a higher overall satisfaction rating of their college experience, and (4) higher grade point averages (GPAs). It was also concluded that religious students reported studying more, partying less, and dedicating more time to extracurricular activities. This article describes how religion affects the level of college satisfaction that students experience. The main focus of this article was on college partying and studying. Students that were religious spent their time studying rather than partying or drinking. This relates to the research question because it clearly demonstrates how religion affects the students interactions and social-based decisions. Those that take part in religious practices have higher satisfaction with their social life due to groups and events geared toward that specific religion. There is a strong correlation between practicing religion and high GPA. Since the religious students prospered both socially and academically, they were likely to further increase their involvement in religious activities. Rockenbach, Alyssa, and Matthew Mayhew. "How the Collegiate Religious and Spiritual Climate Shapes Students' Ecumenical Orientation." Research in Higher Education 54.4 (2013): 461-79. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. Universities have recently initiated campus efforts to provide space for spiritual exploration and engagement among students representing different faith traditions. This has caused many negative repercussions for students of different religious groups. It is actually very common for evangelical Christians to claim to have experienced faith-related discrimination in secular institutions, while atheists nd their perspectives excluded in campus conversations and programming around religion and spirituality. There have also been many territorial issues between religious groups. The spaces that campuses provide for spiritual development have caused tension. Since space is limited, the different religious groups argue over issues like whose religious symbols are on display in these spaces and whose are not. This has created a sense of isolationism, with students only interacting and socializing within their religious group. These facts have been discovered due to the collegiate religious and spiritual climate survey (CRSCS), which is designed to assess campus climate in relation to religious and worldview diversity. Non-religious students favored a campus environment that encourages the expression of individual worldviews which consequently increases the openness and acceptance to others. In most universities students are categorized based on their self-identified religious worldviews. This article discusses the negative effects that religion has on college students. There are many different religions amongst a college campus, and these different groups tend to isolate themselves from others. This does not create a healthy or inviting environment which influences the social interactions between students. Many arguments have started over the religious use of

campus space, which creates a hostile environment. This answers the research question much differently than the other articles. This article views religious practice in college as a negative mechanism that promotes segregation and creates a nonso-cial, uninviting atmosphere.

Schmalzbauer, John. "Campus Religious Life in America: Revitalization and Renewal." Society 50.2 (2013):115-31. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. The article answers the question, What role does organized religion play in the life of the American campus? Although there has been a decline in Protestant campus ministries, religions like Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism are expanding. Evangelic parachurch groups are arising and have pioneered the niche marketing of campus religion. There are groups designed specifically for certain races and ethnicities, mainly Blacks, Asians, and Latinos. Catholic and Jewish campus ministries are also prevalent throughout universities. For instance, Yale University spent $70 million on a new Catholic student center. The Jewish-oriented fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi currently has over 130 chapters. Hindus and Sikhs are also becoming more visible. A survey that was administered to 50 colleges and universities found that 30% of freshmen were involved in a campus religious group. Another study concluded that one-fourth of 1823 year olds with some college had been involved in a campus-based religious group. This article elaborates on the arising religious groups on college campuses and their effects. The main point of this article was to educate the reader on the different religious groups that are present in todays American campus. Protestant ministries used to be very prevalent throughout universities, but recently other religions have been expanding. These religious groups appeal to ethnic minorities, which in turn effects the social interactions between students. This article relates to the research question because it explains how religious groups have caused students of certain races and ethnicities to unite. Many students report being a part of a campus religious group, making these groups a great way to interact with other students with similar beliefs and interests.