Interfaith Council - Student Community & Leadership Development

Welcome!

The Interfaith Council (IFC) consists of representatives from all the religious groups on campus. The IFC is charged with running the Scott Religious Centre and advises the University, through the Director of the Centre for Student Community & Leadership Development, on matters relating to the Centre and religious affairs and activities on campus.

Three Pillars of Tolerance

The Interfaith Council is supported by three pillars of tolerance. These are:

Rules - All organizations must adhere to University policies and procedures and applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations.
Recruitment - Any recruitment of members must be done in a non-coercive and non-aggressive fashion.
Respect - While holding onto their beliefs, groups and clubs must show respect for all others who may have differing opinions.

Scott Religious Centre

Donated by the Scott family, the Religious Centre provides a comfortable chapel for religious services and a peaceful meditation room for individual introspection and quiet prayer. It also provides office space for many of the faith-based student clubs.

The Centre is a place where community members from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds can practice their own faith and actively participate in interfaith dialogue and education.

In order to achieve these ends, the Scott Religious Centre operates according to the following principles:

The Centre is a shared space and community members are expected to use the venue in the spirit of tolerance and cooperation.
The Centre is open for all students, professors and staff of any faith or religious background.
The Centre is to be used for worship, prayer, meditation and events relating to and sponsored by the Interfaith Council and authorized University offices.
Users of the space must adhere to University policies and procedures and applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations.

Location:

144 Central Square

There are two additional entrances on the Ross Podium (vestibule 201 & 202). Wheelchair access is available by taking the South Ross elevators to the second floor and going west to Ross Podium and entering at vestibule 202.

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday, from 6am to 10pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am to 8pm

The Centre for Student Community & Leadership Development is responsible for all bookings in the Scott Religious Centre and only clubs registered with the Interfaith Council can officially book space in the Centre. Individual members of the community are welcome to use the chapel or meditation room for the practice of their faith providing that the room is available and not booked by a religious group.
Office space is applied for every March and only IFC clubs are eligible to receive an office.

Those looking to book space in the Scott Religious Centre can send their request to:

Andrew Brown - andbrown@yorku.ca
Student Engagement Coordinator

All spaces in the Scott Religious Centre are to be used for prayer or faith based activities (They are not to be used for events, eating, or group gatherings i.e., to hangout) unless otherwise approved by SCLD
The main activity hall (chapel) will be available for booking from 9:00am – 10:00pm Monday to Sunday
Recognized student organizations will be able to book time slots for up to 2 hours. Longer time slots may be available if no other group has interest in the space at that time.
SCLD Staff or Student Engagement Ambassadors will complete random spot checks to ensure all guidelines are being adhered to.
Users will not be permitted to linger in the SRC prior to or following prayer. Those users found using the space beyond its intended use will be asked to leave and may lose the ability to use the SRC
YU Card access will need to be provided for after hours access (Contact Andrew Brown at andbrown@yorku.ca)
Food, eating and any strenuous activities is not permitted
Users must abide by all posted signage

	Seated	Standing
Chapel	250	400
Meditation Room	35	75

Special Observances

At certain times of the year, clubs may require exclusive use of the chapel or meditation room for special observances.

Examples include: Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Ramadan, Easter, and Christmas. A detailed scheduled will be sent to all interfaith council members and posted outside each room.

Use of Space for Individuals

Individual members of the community are welcome to use the chapel or meditation room for the practice of their faith providing that the room is available and not booked by a religious group.

Schedule

The schedules for the chapel and meditation room will also be posted just outside the entrance of each room.