Student Life
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The Buddhist Student Association (BSA), founded in 2003, meets regularly for meditation. A student-run organization, the group facilitates discussions on Buddhist thought and how to integrate the teachings into the lives of busy college students. The BSA makes a number of visits each semester to monasteries, conferences, and retreat centers in the upstate New York area.
Colgate Christian Athlete Fellowship (CCAF) is a group specially oriented to addressing the spiritual needs of student athletes at Colgate. Currently, the CCAF meets on Monday evenings in Huntington Gymnasium for Bible study, prayer, sharing, and mutual support. The CCAF is sponsored by the Office of the Chaplains and is facilitated by a member of the athletic department.
Colgate Christian Fellowship (CCF) exists as a group for Christian witness, discipleship, and community on campus. The CCF sponsors a period of communal prayer each day in Judd Chapel where participants offer prayers for each other, for the campus, and for the world. The group sponsors a weekly large group meeting, regular small group Bible studies, social events, and service projects.
Newman Community is the Catholic group at Colgate. The Newman Community has four primary concerns: (1) the worship of Jesus Christ, (2) service and hospitality to the needy, (3) education and spiritual formation, and (4) building community through social activities. The community offers mass twice on Sunday and communion services on weekdays. The community takes annual mission trips to rural West Virginia and contemplative retreats to the Abbey of Genesee.
The Hindu Student Association (HSA) gives Hindu students an opportunity to observe their religion and also provides the community a chance to learn more about Hinduism. Besides regular prayer meetings, the HSA organizes an annual Diwali festival with prayers and festivities and celebrates other holidays as well.
The Jewish Community at Colgate has several important facets. The Colgate Jewish Union (CJU) is a student-led organization that promotes Jewish life and community at Colgate. The Director of Jewish Life serves as an adviser to Jewish students and provides religious support and counseling.
The Muslim Student Association (MSA) provides an opportunity for Muslim students to worship, socialize, and educate themselves and others about Islam, and invites the participation of people from all backgrounds. The MSA holds regular Friday Jumaa prayers, Qu’ranic readings, Eid celebrations, Halal dinners, movie nights, Iftars, religious discussions, and excursions for its members.
The Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) seeks to provide a context for worship for the Eastern Orthodox community, as well as to share with the larger Colgate community the rich cultural and religious traditions of Orthodoxy. Among the events organized by the OCF in the past are lectures about matters of faith and learning, Bible studies, and trips to Orthodox churches in the area.
University Church is Colgate’s ecumenical Protestant Christian congregation and welcomes all who wish to attend. University Church gathers for worship at 12:00 p.m. every Sunday morning in Memorial Chapel, with occasional special services held in the evening. University Church is committed to embodying the diversity of the Body of Christ by celebrating the diversity of worship styles and spiritual gifts represented among the Christian students of Colgate.