Campus Ministry and Academics

Abstract

Abstract Until the mid-twentieth century, 90% of Catholic colleges and universities were run by religious orders that integrated the study of religion with the religious life of the students, the vast majority of them being Catholic. Now, the student bodies include many non-Catholics, are mostly a-intellectual when it comes to religion, and would likely not take theology classes unless they were required. Faculty think moral formation is the obligation of a separate division of the university: student development offices and campus ministers. Most faculty are concerned only with intellectual development. As a professionalized group (master’s degree in pastoral ministry), campus ministers are often uninterested in the intellectual formation of students in the Catholic tradition. While retaining their primary responsibilities, faculty and campus ministers need to learn how to work with each other. Working together is much more possible at campuses that have a high percentage of undergraduate students in residence. Working with graduate students is more difficult, even at residential campuses.