Student Religious Organizations

Contact Information

Rev. DeLyn Celec (University Chaplain) dcelec@su.edu
Rev. Dr. Victor Gómez (United Methodist Chaplain) victor.gomez@su.edu
Clint Keller (Spiritual Life Program Coordinator and Assistant Chaplain) clinton.keller@su.edu

Goodson Chapel-Recital Hall
1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601
540-535-3546
spirituallife@su.edu

Ethical Framework of Conduct

The Office of Spiritual Life is committed to cultivating an inclusive, compassionate, and safe campus environment where individuals of all religious traditions, spiritual practices, and secular worldviews can thrive. Establishing a shared ethical foundation is vital to protecting personal autonomy, fostering mutual respect, and maintaining the highest standard of accountability. This ethical framework articulates the foundational principles that guide our staff, students, and community partners as they engage in ministry at our campus.

Religious, Spiritual, or Secular Affiliates (RSSAs) and Religious, Spiritual, or Secular Organizations (RSSOs) function within the Ethical Framework for the Office of Spiritual Life (OSL) at Shenandoah University (SU/the university). Violation of these standards places the RSSA or RSSO at risk of loss of recognition, as determined by the University Chaplain of the OSL.

The Ethical Framework has been reviewed and approved by the President, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Student Engagement and Success, Assistant Dean of Student Experience and Residential Life, Assistant Director of Student Engagement, and Executive Director of Administrative Affairs and General Counsel. It stands in congruence with other university statements of mission, policy, and procedure.

Departures from The Ethical Framework will initially be handled through discussion with the University Chaplain and, if appropriate, other relevant university personnel. In the case of egregious or continuing violations by an RSSA or RSSO, recognition of the person or student organization will be withdrawn, as determined by the University Chaplain.

1. A Ministry of Mission

1.1 Alignment of Mission

RSSAs and RSSOs are expected to understand the university’s mission and the OSL’s mission. RSSAs and RSSOs are expected to respect the goals and purposes of the university, avoiding programs or efforts that obstruct the achievement of those goals, especially with regard to students and their academic success.

1.2 Observance of Policies and Procedures

RSSAs and RSSOs are expected to understand the university’s policies and procedures. RSSAs and RSSOs must act in accordance with all of the university’s policies and procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, the university’s Title IX Policy and Procedures, HIPAA, and its student records privacy policies, as well as fulfilling their role as a Mandated Reporter and, if applicable, a Confidential Resource.

1.3 Expression of Identity

RSSAs and members of RSSOs are encouraged to speak openly about their particular religious, spiritual, or secular identity under appropriate circumstances and to work actively to build their community on campus through appropriate measures. When acting in the name of the OSL or the university as a whole, RSSAs and members of RSSOs must do so in a nonsectarian manner, even while acknowledging the particular religious, spiritual, or secular group that they represent.

2 A Ministry of Invitation

2.1 Promotion of Religious Freedom

RSSAs and RSSOs will support religious freedom on campus and will not inhibit a student’s ability to explore and believe–or not–any particular teaching or idea. RSSAs and RSSOs are encouraged to invite students into conversation and invite students to participate in programs, events, and activities, but students must be free to decline participation, discontinue participation, or disengage from conversations, programs, events, and activities at any time without pressure, retaliation, manipulation, harassment, or any procedure that compromises the student’s autonomy. Persistent unwanted contact is in direct violation of both this ethical framework and established campus policies.

2.2 Integrity in Publicity

When engaging in ministry on campus, RSSAs must clearly identify themselves, their affiliation, and the role they are currently serving as a university affiliate. In publishing or distributing any printed or electronic promotional or educational material, RSSOs must clearly identify who they are, use the group’s full name, and disclose any connections to off-campus organizations. When publicizing a program, event, or activity, RSSAs and RSSOs must clearly indicate the focus and scope of the program, event, or activity. Furthermore, the name “Office of Spiritual Life” may not be used on publicity without the knowledge and consent of the University Chaplain. Use of the university’s name or identifying marks must be in accordance with campus policies as outlined by the Office of Marketing and Communications.

2.3 Respect for Students’ Privacy

RSSA and RSSO publicity, programming, events, and activities on campus must be limited to common spaces and to spaces that have been properly reserved in accordance with the Campus Services procedure. RSSAs and RSSOs may not publicize or operate in residence halls without the approval of both the Office of Residential Life and the OSL. RSSAs and RSSOs may not include individuals who are not affiliated with Shenandoah University in on-campus programs, events, or activities without prior approval from the OSL.

2.4 Clarity of Association

RSSAs and RSSOs may not remove students from campus by pressure, manipulation, force, or without their full consent. Participation in off-campus programming, events, or activities must always be voluntary, informed, and based upon the student’s own decision. RSSAs and RSSOs cannot require students to attend off-campus events. Students must be free to decline participation or discontinue participation in any off-campus programming, events, or activities at any time without pressure, retaliation, manipulation, harassment, or any procedure that compromises the student’s autonomy. When offering programming, events, or activities off campus, RSSAs and RSSOs must clearly indicate that such programming, events, and activities–including transportation to and from such programming, events, and activities––are not associated with the university unless an explicit exception is made by the OSL. RSSOs and RSSAs must also comply with all Student Engagement policies and protocols regarding travel.

3 A Ministry of Inclusion

3.1 Practice of Nondiscrimination

RSSAs and RSSOs are expected to cultivate environments in which all students are treated with dignity and respect regardless of identity, background, beliefs, or worldview. While organizations may hold distinct religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, members should engage with others in a civil manner and refrain from harassment, intimidation, or discriminatory conduct prohibited by university policy. RSSAs and RSSOs must not tolerate any language or efforts that foment denigration, discrimination, prejudice, or hatred that would undermine a community of respect. SU encourages community members to report discriminatory conduct and incidents of bias. RSSOs and RSSAs must comply with the university’s non-discrimination policy. Programs must be open to the entire campus community.

4 A Ministry of Responsibility

4.1 RSSA Financial Responsibility

When serving in the role of an RSSA, RSSAs may not sell or promote products, services, or events that require payment without explicit permission from the OSL. When serving in the role of an RSSA, RSSAs may not (a) conduct for-profit or commercial activities (or facilitate the for-profit or commercial activities of others), (b) conduct a business (or facilitate conducting the business of others), or (c) act as (or create the appearance of acting as) a liaison, representative, agent, facilitator, face, or front for another business, person, or entity without explicit permission from the OSL. When serving in the role of an RSSA, RSSAs may not receive any type of financial benefit, payment, or offerings in connection with any of their programming, events, or activities on campus, whether in the form of money, trade, discounts, and/or any other goods or services.

4.2 Dealing with Disagreements

When an RSSA finds themselves in disagreement with the university administration concerning their role as an RSSA or their ministry on campus, they should handle this disagreement as an internal matter. Should claims of conscience bring an RSSA to publicly disagree with established university policy or procedures, they should notify the University Chaplain, preferably in advance of the situation. In situations where the above modes of resolution do not suffice, the University Chaplain will seek the advice or involvement of the Provost, the Vice President for Student Affairs, or the relevant university official. RSSAs are encouraged to engage university leadership in open, respectful dialogue when questions or disagreements arise concerning university policy or their role on campus. Whenever possible, concerns should be addressed collaboratively before becoming matters of public dispute.