Professors faculty discuss role of faith at universities

As a group of Pepperdine professors and faculty sat around a large conference table Rhonda and Doug Jacobson authors of “The American University in a Postsecular Age interviewed Diana Akiyama and Michael L. Jackson. The interview transitioned into an informal discussion about the role of public education in higher education.The event was presented by the Center for Faith and Learning on Pepperdine’s campus Tuesday afternoon. Subjects included students’ changing responses to religion, the trend of universities to separate spirituality and service learning and the role of university faculty on students’ spiritual growth.Rhonda and Doug Jacobson, visiting scholars at Pepperdine, said they held the discussion to gain insight from Akiyma and Jackson for their upcoming book about the shape religion is taking across university campuses.Akiyama, a former director of office for religious and spiritual life at Occidental College, said students approached her with questions about religion but lacked the religious vocabulary to articulate their points.These youngsters had no scaffolding to start questioning and asking the very fundamental philosophical questions she said. Jackson, the long-time vice president for Student Affairs at the University of Southern California, agreed and expressed concern that campus chapels now take a back seat in promoting university service projects.Both Akiyama and Jackson said a major goal of universities is to create citizens who will have a positive impact on society.Provost Darryl Tippens, who attended the discussion, said fewer people consider liberal arts relevant and that colleges now focus more on preparing students for specific professions. Akiyama and Jackson both expressed concern about this trend.Decades from now [this practical focus] may lead to an ugly situation Jackson said.Universities have a responsibility to encourage students to explore their spirituality, Akiyama and Jackson agreed.Rhonda Jacobson said Pepperdine students express their religiosity differently than students at other religiously affiliated colleges she has seen.Pepperdine promotes not only spirituality but it’s spirituality with rational thinking included she said.