Update: Camosun College says the prayer spaces will not be closed down.
Did you know that Camosun College has a prayer space available to both staff and students? There is a designated space for meditation and prayer in room 307 of the Richmond House on the Lansdowne campus, and at room 123 of the Centre for Business on the Interurban campus. Both spaces are open from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Recently, the Camosun website has posted an announcement that the closure of these prayer spaces will take place in 2014 (the end of April for Lansdowne and “the end of 2014” for Interurban). The post contains no information as to why these important spaces will be shut down.
The closure comes as a surprise, as there has been no consultation with the student body. Having a quiet, private space to practice faith is a crucial service for our diverse student population. It’s important for students to feel safe and have the ability to practice their faith without fear of judgment or discrimination.
This announcement is shocking considering that the college has seen a 36 percent increase in international students this year. For some of these students, being in a new city and new community can create challenges and stress in finding a safe space for mediation or prayer. These quiet rooms cost very little to run and require very basic upkeep. Camosun College has a responsibility to maintain these spaces and to consult with the student body before suspending a student service.
The Camosun College Student Society will continue to investigate these scheduled closures. If you have any questions or would like more information please do not hesitate to contact me at external@camosunstudent.org.