Overview
The Campus Interfaith Inventory is an institutional tool that tracks interfaith efforts across all areas of campus life, using the Leadership Practices for Interfaith Excellence as a guiding framework. For each leadership practice, the Inventory asks a number of specific questions about the institution’s programs and practices.
Since its 2016 launch, over 360 U.S. colleges and universities have partnered with IFYC to break ground on the Campus Interfaith Inventory. This first-of-its-kind tool enables campuses to capture how they are addressing issues of religious and worldview diversity, and contributes to a national picture of worldview identity, diversity, and engagement across Higher Education. Campuses who complete the Inventory by June 30th will receive an individualized report showing your submission next to peer and national responses.
Participate in the Campus Interfaith Inventory
To share vital information, get your campus recognized, and unlock exclusive new opportunities this year, fill out the form below. Any knowledgeable campus official can represent their institution, and we’ve designed it to be simple and straightforward, with a minimum investment of time. Once you submit the form you will recieve a unique link taking you to your campus' Inventory.
Sign Up to Access Your Unique Link
Sample Report
In addition to contributing to important field-wide benchmarks and pinpointing promising practices, taking part in the Inventory offers new and unique benefits.
Explore the resources below and check out our frequently asked questions page for more information. If you’re ready to get started, fill out this form and we’ll be in touch, or address questions to Becca Hartman-Pickerill at becca@ifyc.org.
What structures does your campus have in place for student leaders to promote interfaith cooperation on campus?
| What policies or accommodations does your campus have in place? | Your Campus | Private, Nonsectarian Campuses | All Campuses |
| Religious holiday calendar that is widely publicized across the campus | X | 63% | 44% |
| Religious holiday course absence policies for students | X | 74% | 54% |
| Religious holiday absence policies for faculty and staff | X | 57% | 45% |
| Housing accommodations | X | 43% | 30% |
| Facility use accommodations | 6% | 4% | |
| Ritual washing stations | 17% | 15% | |
| Ability to access campus spaces as needed for all religious and nonreligious groups, even if not formal university-affiliated groups | X | 72% | 60% |
| A process to manage bias incidents or complaints | X | 91% | 86% |
| Consistent addressing of religious considerations in all campus policies related to diversity | X | 50% | 39% |
| Other | 7% | 12% |
| What structures does your campus have in place for student leaders to promote interfaith cooperation on campus? | Your Campus | Private, Nonsectarian Campuses | All Campuses |
| Interfaith student group (student-organized) | X | 59% | 47% |
| Interfaith student council or committee | X | 46% | 29% |
| Year-long interfaith leadership program (e.g., interfaith scholars/fellows) | 22% | 15% | |
| Internship, student staff, or work-study position | X | 48% | 36% |
| Student chaplains with interfaith responsibilities | 12% | 13% | |
| Interfaith position in student government | 10% | 9% | |
| What structures are in place to support those student leaders? | |||
| Structures for recruiting and training new leaders each year | X | 51% | 39% |
| An intentional, ongoing leadership development curriculum | 32% | 26% |
Check out a full Sample Report here!
2018 Inventory Report
Here are some findings from the 2018 Inventory Report.
INVENTORY DATA
In the past year, students have initiated changes to campus policies or programs related to religious diversity on 34% of campuses. 64% of campuses have an interfaith/multifaith space on campus designed for intentional use by multiple religious, nonreligious, and interfaith communities. 42% say the space is centrally located and 31% say it is in a public, prominent campus building.
INNOVATIVE PRACTICES
Utah State University
Public • Logan, UT • 27.6K undergraduates
Utah State University began offering the Interfaith Leadership Certificate program in Fall 2018. This 18-credit certificate combines classroom-based learning and community based application of the vision, knowledge and skills needed to navigate a religiously diverse world.
Barton College
Disciples of Christ • Wilson, NC • 900 undergraduates
Barton College has added interfaith student learning outcomes in several religious studies and philosophy courses and has revised the Religion and Philosophy major to include several courses with explicitly scaffolded interfaith leadership outcomes. The general education core has recently been revised and all students in the college will be required to take one of the 100-200 level religion and/or philosophy courses, all of which have interfaith leadership outcomes. They also have several professional program courses with interfaith leadership outcomes (in Business, Education, Social Work, Peacekeeping).
University of Mount Union
Methodist • Alliance, OH • 2K undergraduates
The University of Mount Union now offers Honors 110, titled, E Pluribus Unum: Exploring Religious Diversity in America. The course description reads: Freedom of religion is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution through the First Amendment, which both prohibits the establishment of religion and the infringement of its free exercise. As a result, the United States is one of the most religious and religiously diverse countries in the world. As religions other than Christianity come to make up a larger percentage of the religious pie, tensions and issues arise. How do people of different cultures and beliefs cooperate as neighbors? How do they negotiate differences in fundamental values and traditional practices? Is it possible or even desirable to strive for unity in diversity?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can others see my inventory results?
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No. These inventories are not publicly available. A summary of national data will be available publicly. We publicize a list of participating institutions but do not share individual campus data.
- Can multiple people fill out the Campus Interfaith Inventory?
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While only one person can submit on behalf of the institution, we highly encourage you to work with colleagues and students across departments to fill out this Inventory. In fact, we hope this will be a tool to bring new people into the conversation about the campus’s priority to respect diverse worldviews and foster the engagement of religious and non-religious identity. The lead from your institution will receive a unique link for your college or university when they sign up and should submit the inventory on behalf of the group.
- When do I need to complete the Campus Interfaith Inventory by?
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In order to be included in the 2019 Inventory report, you need to submit your completed Inventory by June 30th 2019.
- Will this Inventory continue into future years?
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Yes. We pull the national data every June 30 in order to analyze trends and report back to the field. You can edit or update your inventory any time. When you return to your Inventory the next year it will already be populated with your entry from the previous year. You can therefore easily note where you are growing in interfaith work on campus and areas that may have slowed or changed course.
- Can I compare my college or university to our peer institutions?
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You will receive a copy of your own submission immediately. In late fall you will receive a report sharing your data, that of similar institutions (public, private nonsectarian, private Catholic, private Protestant, private other Christian, and private other) and national data.
- How was this tool created?
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This inventory is structured around nine key practices for interfaith excellence in higher education, which IFYC has culled from its work with college and university campuses for over a decade. These practices are explained in greater detail in AAC&U’s Liberal Education. We recognize that many campuses will already have many of these practices in place, whereas others will not; this tool is intended for honest reflection of where your campus is at currently, and should reflect a snapshot of your institution for the current academic year.
- I’d like help translating our completed inventory to other stakeholders on campus; can you help me with this?
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Yes. IFYC is committed to helping you advance the nine practices outlined in the Inventory. When you receive your Inventory report, we will offer a follow-up phone call with an experienced coach at IFYC to collectively make sense of your data and what it could mean for planning.
Get your campus listed.
Participating institutions will be added to the national list of campuses that are demonstrating a commitment to supporting students’ diverse identities and creating inclusive climates for those of different faiths and worldviews. Receive recognition from peers, as well as prospective students and their families searching for institutions that prioritize religious diversity and welcoming campus climates.
It’s a powerful planning tool.
The Inventory captures key insights, and doubles as a framework for planning and analyzing your religious diversity efforts. The questions it explores have served as a useful guide to help participants consider new ideas and identify growth areas. 86% of past participants agree or strongly agree that the Leadership Practices, which the Inventory is built on, “are a useful framework for my institution in thinking about advancing interfaith excellence on campus”. You will receive an individualized campus report, summarizing how your institution’s interfaith and religious diversity efforts compare to peer institutions as well as national benchmarks across U.S. higher education.
Unlock exclusive opportunities.
Contributing to the Inventory gives you access to special resources from IFYC. All participating campuses will be offered free coaching from IFYC staff to help strategize effective interfaith initiatives based on Inventory findings. Participation also makes your campus eligible to apply for a Campus Innovation Grant – a $4,000 grant designed to support your institution’s sustainable interfaith cooperation efforts amidst national political, cultural, and religious division.