The following information is excerpted from IvyJungle.org. For more information about the Ivy Jungle Network or their complete Campus Ministry Updates, visit their website.
InterVarsity Group Banned: The University of Wisconsin Superior has withheld official student group recognition for the InterVarsity chapter on campus. This is one of a number of lengthy legal battles the organization has had at a variety of campuses around the globe. Most of those disputes, and others with Christian ministries have been decided in favor of the ministries. At UW-Superior, InterVarsity and its 50+ students are still meeting, but without the benefit of recognition, funding, or on campus promotion. (Mission Network News August 18, 2006)
The Beloit List for the Class of 2010:It is that time of year again when Beloit College publishes it's annual college freshman list. Among this year's highlights: For the class of 2010, mostly born in 1988 - The Soviet Union never existed and there fore is about as scary as the student union. There has always been only one Germany. A stained blue dress is as famous to their generation as a third-rate burglary was to their parents. Smoking has never been permitted on US airlines. They have never had to distinguish between the St. Louis Cardinals baseball and football teams. Google has always been a verb. Text messaging is their email. Bar codes have always been on everything. Madden has always been a game - not a Super Bowl winning coach. Non-denominational mega-churches have always been the fastest growing religious organizations in the US. Reality shows have always been on TV. Disneyland has always been in Europe and Asia. Richard M. Daley has always been mayor of Chicago. Professional athletes have always competed in the Olympics. To view the entire list go to www.beloit.edu/%7Epubaff/mindset/2010.htm
Religion Is Surviving - Even Thriving in the US: Results from a national survey released by the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion indicate that religion in the USA is doing just fine. According to the survey, 89% of people in the country attend a local congregation or affiliate with a denomination. That puts just one out of 10 Americans in a category without religious affiliation. Earlier studies had seen one in 7 as non-religious, but the Baylor study said asking about a local congregation revealed many more people attending services - and not claiming a denominational tie. They say that the earlier questions that did not account for attendance or the increasing growth of non-denominational churches, but only asked about denominational affiliation. Of those who do not attend or affiliate with organized religion, only 37% say they do not believe in God. The study also found a number of other paranormal beliefs strong in America - 37% of respondents believe in the lost city of Atlantis, 25% in UFO's and 12% in astrology and psychics. (Houston Chronicle.com September 11, 2006)
Losing Their Religion?: The Fuller Theological Seminary Center for Youth and Family Ministry has begun exploring the relationship between faith and the transition to college. Many a church and campus leader has lamented that so many students drop out of church once they step on campus. Many factors have been given credit for the change, including: the questioning of faith by faculty and students at college; loneliness; the inability of churches to reach and relate to college students; students not making the effort to fully engage a church and get past the initial awkwardness of somewhere new; and the embrace of less traditional forms of worship and religious experience. The Fuller project is in the first half of a three year study. (Redandblack.com (University of Georgia newspaper) September 13, 2006)
College By the Numbers: Currently there are: 17.6 million students enrolled in 4216 colleges and universities in the US. 57.2% are women. 30.4% are minorities. 38% of undergrads are 25 or older. 54.3% of college freshmen will graduate in 6 years. The cost for tuition, room and board at a four-year public university runs and average of $12,605. At a private school that average is $34,698. In 1990, those costs were less than half of today's amounts. 80% of college freshmen say they have an interest in spirituality. Only 47% sought out opportunities to help them grow spiritually. (Christian Science Monitor September 13, 2006)
Spiritual Dorm at UC Berkeley: Not known as an overly friendly campus when it comes to organized religion, UC Berkeley was one of the first schools to have a church sponsored dorm. One campus ministry, Westminster House, offers housing to 125 Berkeley students. They are one of a half dozen schools with such opportunities. The house not only provides an opportunity for students to live in a community where spiritual things are discussed, but also provides revenue for the Presbyterian ministry that owns the building. Students do not have to sign on to a statement of faith to live in the building. Some choose it because it does not have co-ed bathrooms, others because it is close to their academic buildings. Westminster House has opened a second building for another 44 students. The United Methodist Church will open a dorm at Berkeley next year. (SFGate.com August 24, 2006)
Campus Ministries Barred at Georgetown: Georgetown university recently severed ties with several Christian groups including InterVarsity, Chi Alpha, and Crossroad Christian Fellowship. The school said it had decided to end its relationship with these "affiliated ministries" because it wanted to centralize the administration of its Protestant campus ministry groups, no longer relying on outside staff led groups for help. According to the university, students can continue to meet and promote their groups but outside staff members are not allowed on campus. Students and leaders were taken by surprise and continue to debate the issue on campus. (thehoya.com August 25-Sept. 1)
