Religious Affiliate Policy

Policy Statement

This policy has been developed in order to provide inclusive religious services to our diverse student body regardless of religious affiliation or non-affiliation.  This policy will allow for professionally trained personnel (“religious affiliates”) to assist with the Interfaith Center’s mission to support engagement of students in a spiritual setting.

Reason for Policy

This policy is in place to allow for representatives who are endorsed by a national or regional religious organization to work within the Interfaith Center and University community.

Who is Governed by this Policy

Interfaith Center, Religious Affiliates

Policy

Religious affiliates are persons who interact with students, faculty, administration and staff within the college community. These individuals must have national or regional religious organizations sponsor their on-campus work, and comply with Interfaith Center protocol and University policies. Appointment of religious affiliates will fall under and must report to the respective University chaplain.

Recognition of Religious Affiliates:

Recognition and appointment of a religious affiliate is made by the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students following a recommendation by the Director of the Interfaith Center. The Director will consider a recommendation following approval from the religious appointment committee, which consists of Interfaith Center staff. Initial appointment is made on a probationary term not to exceed two years and subsequent renewal is determined on an annual basis.

Process and Application:

Contact the Interfaith Center and complete an application form.

Applications will only be considered from representatives who are endorsed by a national or regional religious organization that is prepared to supervise and assume ultimate responsibility for his or her activity.

The appointed personnel must be ordained and in good standing with an ordaining body and/or professionally trained for religious work.

The applicant’s religious organization must provide to the University a recent (within 3 months) criminal background check, resulting in no uncovered information of concern.

The appointed personnel will report directly to the chaplain assigned and must honor and abide by all University policies and procedures including, but not limited to, those of the Interfaith Center, the Center for Student Involvement (CSI), Student Government Association (SGA), Information Technology, and the Code of Conduct.

Appointment Period:

All appointments are made by the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students as indicated above in the “Recognition of Religious Affiliates” section.
Initial appointments will be provided on a probationary period not to exceed two years.

Following this probationary period, religious affiliates will be appointed on an annual basis at the discretion of the Director of the Interfaith Center.

Supervision of Religious Affiliates

Appointment of religious affiliates will fall under and must report to the respective University chaplain.

Required updates and standing informational appointments must be held monthly between the appointed religious affiliate and the assigned chaplain.

Religious affiliates must gain authorization for all programs and/or services offered to Adelphi students or on the Adelphi campus.

Sanctions:

A religious affiliate who fails to adhere to any of the policies and procedures of the University and the Interfaith Center will forfeit his or her privilege as an invited individual on campus.  His or her status will be determined by the Director of the Interfaith Center in consultation with the University chaplains.

Interfaith Center Religious Affiliate Guidelines:

Appointees must abide by the policies and procedures of the Interfaith Center for the purpose of working with students and student organizations. Appointees are also required to comply with other University policies and procedures. The Interfaith guidelines are listed below:

• Communicate regularly with the assigned chaplain and participate in monthly Interfaith Center meetings.
• Develop appropriate learning objectives, interfaith programs and other responsibilities as requested.
• Religious affiliates may not conduct religious services, groups, classes or other events without an invitation or permission to do so from the assigned chaplain.
• Refrain from recruitment or solicitation or any uninvited or prohibited activity on the campus.
• If working with a student organization, a religious affiliate cannot be an authorized club advisor and must comply with all CSI and SGA policies.
• A student must be freely able to participate in or leave a religious organization without being subject to harassment or procedures that compromise the student’s autonomy.
• Religious affiliates must be inclusive and open to general participation by any interested student and may not discriminate against any student.
• The Interfaith Center prohibits religious affiliates from functioning on campus as independent entities. The appointed person must serve under an Interfaith Center chaplain or staff member and must be inclusive to the Adelphi community and service the mission of Adelphi University and its Interfaith Center.
• The religious affiliate is not an employee of the University and will not be paid by the University.
• The appointment cannot be transferred, assigned or delegated without prior consent and written application to the Director of the Interfaith Center.
• The University reserves the right to rescind an affiliate’s appointment at any time, for any reason.

Definitions

This policy does not have definitions associated with it at this time. Upon periodic policy review this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy.

Forms

Once policy is approved form will be uploaded to Interfaith Site.

Related Information

This policy does not have related information at this time. Upon periodic policy review this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy.

Document History

• Last Reviewed Date: July 24, 2019
• Last Revised Date: July 24, 2019
• Policy Origination Date: November 8, 2017

Who Approved This Policy

Office of the Provost

NOTE: Language in this policy was approved by University attorneys K. McDonough and H. Dryer (11/21/17)