Office of Spiritual Life Guidelines

Office of Spiritual Life (OSL) Policy and Guidelines

revised August 2026

Preamble

Gallaudet University recognizes that diverse spiritual, religious, and philosophical traditions enhance the educational experience and personal development of students, faculty, and staff and helps them explore meaning, purpose, and well-being.  The Office of Spiritual Life (OSL), a unit under Student Affairs, exists to serve the entire Gallaudet community.  These guidelines outline expectations for the Office of Spiritual Life staff who serve on campus, whether formally recognized by the University or serving through external religious organizations.

Gallaudet aims to provide inclusive spaces, programs, and services that promote spiritual growth, interfaith dialogue, ethical reflection, and community engagement.  The OSL is committed to fostering respect, open dialogue and mutual understanding among people of different faiths, traditions, or secular and spiritual practices. 

Guiding Principles

Spiritual life staff are entrusted with responsibilities that require integrity, respect for diverse beliefs, and adherence to the mission and values of the University. All staff are expected to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards in their work with individuals and groups on campus.

Office of Spiritual Life staff agree to adhere to the following principles:

Respect for Diversity – OSL staff must honor the pluralism of the University community, respecting differences in religious belief, spiritual practice, and non-religious worldviews.

Voluntary Participation – All spiritual and religious engagement must be voluntary.  OSL staff may not pressure, coerce, or unduly influence individuals to participate in activities, services, or programs.

Non-Discrimination – OSL staff must not discriminate on the basis of race, hearing status, disability, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, covered veteran status, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, place of business or residence, pregnancy, childbirth, or any other unlawful basis.

Collaboration with the University – OSL staff serve as partners with the University and are expected to coordinate their activities with the Office of Spiritual Life and the division of Student Affairs to ensure alignment with university policies and community standards.

Ethical Conduct Expectations

The following are ethical conduct expectations for all staff in the Office of Spiritual Life: 

Respect for All Beliefs and Traditions.  Staff shall honor the dignity and worth of all persons, regardless of their faith, religious tradition, spiritual practice, or secular worldview.  Staff shall avoid proselytizing, coercion, or favoritism in their professional roles. Staff shall use inclusive and welcoming language in programs, communications, and services.

Confidentiality and Pastoral Care. Staff shall maintain confidentiality when providing spiritual or pastoral support, or as a University identified Title IX confidential resource, except where there is a clear duty to report imminent harm to self or others, or as otherwise required by law or University policy. Staff shall communicate the limits of confidentiality at the outset of their conversations.

Professional Boundaries.  Staff shall maintain healthy and appropriate professional boundaries with students, colleagues, and community members.  Staff shall not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with students or individuals they serve in a pastoral or spiritual role.  Staff shall avoid situations that could create a conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety.

Integrity and Accountability. Staff shall accurately report financial expenditures, program participation, and other administrative responsibilities. Staff shall disclose any potential conflicts of interest when inviting outside speakers, organizations, or vendors

Crisis Response and Compassionate Care. Staff shall provide supportive, ethical, and compassionate care to the University community during times of crisis, trauma, or loss. Staff shall coordinate memorial services, vigils, or related events in ways that are respectful of diverse traditions and inclusive of the community.  Staff will make every reasonable effort to accommodate urgent ritual, cultural or religious needs in crisis or end-of-life situations.

Collaboration and Collegiality. Staff shall work cooperatively with other University offices, including Student Affairs, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, Health and Wellness Programs and the Department of Public Safety, to promote student well-being. Staff shall support interdepartmental initiatives that foster holistic wellness and community engagement.

Commitment to Student Development and Learning.   Staff shall foster student leadership, civic engagement, and interfaith understanding. Staff shall encourage inclusive programming that welcomes diverse perspectives, including non-religious or secular viewpoints.

Compliance with University Policy and Law. Staff shall abide by all University policies, including nondiscrimination, harassment, and equal opportunity policies, as well as applicable local, state, and federal laws.  Staff shall ensure that recognized student organizations and programs sponsored by OSL comply with these policies.

Definitions

Denomination: Subgroup within Christianity (e.g., Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran).

Faith Tradition: Any organized religion or spiritual path, including theistic, non-theistic, interfaith, or secular practices. Examples: Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Humanism, Yoga/Contemplative Practices.

Movement or Branch: Subgroup, school, or lineage within a faith tradition. Examples: Reform Judaism, Orthodox Judaism, Sunni or Shia Islam, Theravāda or Mahāyāna Buddhism.

Religion:  An organized system of beliefs, practices, values and/or worldviews which may or may not include belief in a supreme being.

Spiritual Community: Any organized group providing spiritual guidance, support, or programs, including faith-based, interfaith, or non-theistic communities.

Spiritual Staff: An individual formally recognized by the University to provide guidance, programs, or pastoral care through OSL.  Staff representing religions groups and faith traditions may include recognition and appointment by their jurisdictional or local supervisors. 

University Property: All land, buildings, facilities, and other property owned, used, or controlled by Gallaudet University.

Recognition: The process by which a denomination, faith tradition, movement, or spiritual community is approved to participate in OSL programs and use designated spaces.

Procedures for Recognition

Gallaudet Univeristy is a private university, and recognition is not automatic (see note below).  All OSL staff are guests of the University and are uncompensated by Gallaudet, though some limited benefits are provided.  Organizations desiring membership and representation in the Office of Spiritual must submit:

•          A formal request, in writing to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs or designated office;
•          Provide a statement of philosophy, mission, or guiding principles;
•          Provide information showing the financial relationship of the person to the sponsoring organization, if applicable;
•         Provide a resume of one’s educational and professional experience, including leadership and/or chaplain certification and relevant experience;
•          Documentation of capacity to serve the University community;
•          Indication of the group’s type – see Space Limitation Note below

• Denomination (Christian subgroups)
• Faith Tradition (global religions, interfaith, humanist)
• Movement/Branch (subgroups within non-Christian faiths)
• Spiritual Community (secular, contemplative, or interfaith groups)

Note: Recognition is discretionary and applies to all the group types listed above.

Space Limitation Note:
Due to limited campus resources and space, only one representative of a denomination, faith tradition and/or spiritual community will be considered for membership in OSL, and Gallaudet University will not formally recognize movements or branches within a faith tradition as separate on-campus programs; rare exceptions may be made at the discretion of Student Affairs.  While the University limits on-campus recognition to one representative per faith tradition, denomination, or spiritual community due to space constraints, OSL affirms the validity of all faith traditions, denominations, spiritual communities, movements or branches.  These groups are welcome to collaborate in OSL programs, be listed as off-campus affiliates, and participate in interfaith events.

Qualifications of Spiritual Staff

Spiritual staff desiring to serve as OSL staff will:

•           Hold at least a baccalaureate (Bachelor’s) degree as well as appropriate credentials, ethical training, experience, professional qualifications, and skills appropriate for conduct of the religious denomination, faith traditions or spiritual community they expect to primarily serve;
•          Are not enrolled in any graduate program at Gallaudet;
•         Have effective communication skills, including American Sign Language proficiency to efficiently communicate with students, faculty and staff of the University;
•         Agree to maintain respect for all faiths, non-faith traditions, and philosophical practices, understand that all engagement is voluntary, and agree that there will be no proselytizing of members of the University community;
•         Have an understanding of interfaith collaboration and inclusive programming;
•         Have strong awareness of ritual, cultural, dietary, and mourning needs, including:

Muslim: ablution/wudu, halal food, Ramadan fasting;

Buddhist: meditation props, mindfulness accommodations;

Jewish/Hillel: Shabbat, holiday observances, kosher food;

Christian/Denominational: worship space needs, retreats;

Spiritual/Yoga groups: safe space for yoga, guided meditation, contemplative reflection;

Pastoral care: memorial services, funerals, crisis response.

Benefits and Rights of Recognized Members of OSL

A recognized organization is entitled to be listed as a member of the Office of Spiritual Life in publications on campus and on university websites.  Recognized OSL organizations may use an abbreviation of the name of the University as part of its name but cannot advertise or promote events or activities in a manner that suggest the function is sponsored by the University or the Office of Spiritual Life.  Stationary or webpages indicating affiliation with Gallaudet University and used by the Office of Spiritual Life must be approved by the Student Affairs.  Publications, flyers, papers, etc. relative to the Office of Spiritual Life should first be reviewed by the OSL Liaison to Student Affairs and Student Engagement and Leadership (SEL).

Members of the OSL may present or sponsor programs, services, practices and events on University property consistent with their denomination, faith tradition or spiritual community, including but not limited to:

• Buddhist: meditation sessions, mindfulness practices, Dharma study;
• Christian/Denominational: worship services, retreats, denominational programs;
• Humanist/Secular groups:  ethical discussion, contemplative practices, civic engagement;
• Jewish/Hillel: Shabbat services, holiday observances, Torah study;
• Muslim: prayer rooms, Jumu‘ah services, Ramadan, Eid observances;
• Secular or contemplative groups: meditation, yoga, contemplative reflection;

Members of the OSL can support ethical, moral, and spiritual development of the University community and offer pastoral, spiritual, or ethical counseling aligned with professional and ethical standards; provide education on beliefs, practices, and traditions upon request; participate in discussions and programs addressing social justice, community service, and ethical engagement; and organize events consistent with the OSL guiding principles and University mission; and maintain a supportive presence on campus.

Members of OSL may reserve and use campus spaces for programs, services, practices or events; reserve University equipment (such as TVs and laptops) for such programs, services, practices and events; post flyers on designated bulletin boards on campus, share use of the Spirituality Space in the JSAC; and share space as assigned by the University.

Annual Review and Accountability

The privileges of membership in OSL depends on initial and continued annual recognition by the University.  Continued recognition will be dependent on :

• Respectful collaborations with OSL staff and other groups/communities;
• Compliance with University policies and OSL guidelines;
• Regular and consistent presence on campus during posted office hours;
• Active engagement with the campus community thorough an array of programs, events or services;
• Demonstrated participation by currently enrolled full-time students, in a number required for clubs/organizations as defined by Gallaudet University;
• Regular attendance and participation in scheduled OCL meetings, and regular email contact with the OSL Liaison to Student Affairs and OSL staff.

At the end of each academic year, prior to June 30^th, each recognized OSL organization must submit an annual report documenting programs, participation and community impact as well as other related contributions and achievements.  OSL organizations that do not submit an annual report will be considered inactive and officially unrecognized by the University and will need to reapply for recognition.

Withdrawal or Denial of Recognition

Recognition of an OSL organization will be revoked if the organization fails to meet one or more of the OSL guidelines and registration requirements, including but not limited to:

•         Failure to maintain the requirements for recognition;
•         Failure to submit a complete and accurate annual report;
•         Failure to maintain an active presence of campus, inactivity or lack of engagement, and providing little or no service to the University community;
•         Proselytizing or coercion of members of the University community;
•         Engaging in activities or actions that are detrimental to the educational mission and purposes of the University;
•         Engaging in conduct contrary to the guiding principles and ethical conduct expectations.

Determinizations of withdrawal or denial of recognition is made by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, after previously providing a letter to the individual and their sponsoring organization (if applicable) which notifies them of the possibility and setting up a meeting to discuss the issues that may affect its continued recognition.

Liaisons and Communication

Members of the Office of Spiritual Life shall choose a Liaison to work with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, or designated office, to address relevant issues and concerns of the Gallaudet community and OSL staff.  The Liaison shall:

•         foster ongoing communication among the OSL staff through email and set up staff meetings to address the needs of OSL, its representative organizations, and/or the campus community. Periodic meetings between OSL and the Associate Dean is encouraged;
•         meet on a regular basis with the Associate Dean to discuss relevant issues;
•         provide feedback on the OSL website and publications to ensure that the posted information is current and accurate;
•         respond to inquiries from the community regarding the Office of Spiritual Life, spiritual life, programs, events, memorial services, vigils, funerals and crisis support.