Urging the University to Establish Gerrard Hall as a Interfaith Place of Reflection, Quiet Thought, and Spiritual Inquiry
RESOLUTION OF THE EMPLOYEE FORUM
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
January 18, 2002
WHEREAS, the Mission of the Employee Forum is to address constructively the concerns of the Employees of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, these concerns include the maintenance of a spiritual life; and
WHEREAS, one proposed method for allowing maintenance of a spiritual life is the establishment of a interfaith place of reflection, quiet thought, and spiritual inquiry; and
WHEREAS, creation of such a spiritual venue would allow alumni, students, faculty and staff to celebrate life’s major events, such as weddings, baptisms, funerals and memorial services; and
WHEREAS, it was the original intent of the University’s founders to have such a place on campus, first at Person Hall, then at Gerrard Hall; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of such a venue would not require extra funding, and indeed future fees for facility usage could compensate the University or indeed generate needed income; and
WHEREAS, other public institutions have maintained campus chapels within the confines of the philosophical division between church and state, among them the University of Virginia, the University of Maryland, Penn State University, and the College of William and Mary
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Employee Forum endorses Bronwyn C. Leech’s proposal to convert Gerrard Hall into a interfaith spiritual venue.
Signed on behalf of the Delegates of the Employee Forum
Tommy Griffin, Chair