Religious groups on campus face difficulties in planning, funding retreats

Although religious groups are popular on campus, some say they experience difficulties in conducting their activities. 

Many of the 23 religious organizations on campus periodically host religious retreats designed to help students connect with their faith and combine religious teachings with everyday student life. However, several groups have complained that they are inadequately funded by Duke Student Government's Student Organization Funding Committee and face problems in finding locations to host their events. 

"They provide funding as they see fit, based on a $20 per person rule, which severely limits us,” leaders of the Muslim Students Association wrote in a statement.

The statement explained that MSA hosts a retreat once per semester, but that the organization has found SOFC funding to be lacking. SOFC only provides a certain amount of money per person attending the retreat, which is $20 according to a recently created rule.

"This does not help with the exorbitant costs of the pre approved centers, which are often triple the cost of renting a house," the statement said. 

It added that MSA supplements its budget with additional funding from the Center for Muslim Life.

Reverend Michael Martin, director of the Duke Catholic Center, noted his organization typically receives limited funds from SOFC as well.

“It’s usually for some aspect of the retreat," Martin said. "Like to pay for the meal before we leave for the beach weekend retreat.”

"All the funds provided by the DSG annual budget are to help defray the retreat center cost only," said Ruth Anne Kennedy, DCC's business manager.

SOFC Chair Nikhil Gavai could not be reached in time for publication. 

Unlike the DCC, some religious groups do not have as well-established alumni groups. The MSA's statement explained that the MSA receives far fewer funds from donors in comparison to other religious organizations.

It also noted that Duke places restrictions on where religious groups can host their retreats, which often forces non-Christian groups to have events in Christian buildings.

“This leads to an awkward situation where Muslims must spiritually remember Islam in an area full of crosses and Bibles,” the statement said.

The Student Affairs website lists 13 pre-approved venues for religious retreats and five pre-approved places for non-religious retreats. Of the 13 religious retreat centers, nine locations are dedicated to the Christian faith. One center is the Carolina Bible Camp and Retreat. Another center, the Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center, states on its webpage: “Every group is offered dynamic Christian hospitality with the hope that they experience the love of God in Jesus Christ.”

There are four pre-approved options on the list of religious retreat destinations that are not affiliated with Christianity, but three of them are expensive beachfront hotels, including the Avista Resort at Myrtle Beach, which are often frequented by students during the post-finals, celebratory Myrtle Beach bonanza. Each of these beach hotels is 195 or more miles away from Duke. The only cheaper option on this list is the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, North Carolina.

Of the five pre-approved non-religious retreat centers, three are expensive retreat centers like the Art of Living Retreat Center, which has a price tag of $109 for two people per night in the off-season, with a minimum stay of two nights. The only other option for a religious group on this list is the Haw River State Park, which is located 60 miles from Duke and offers inexpensive cabins for large groups.

However, Cailtin Shaw, assistant director of the University Center for Activities and Events, noted that the list is not all-inclusive and that it is meant to be a starting place for groups planning events.

She noted in an email that one Duke policy does restrict renting vacation homes for student organization activities because of the risks associated with such properties including lower insurance coverage, rental agreements that often require waivers of liability and properties that do not have established safety inspections and fire suppression systems.

"If a student organization has a potential retreat site that is not on our list and they would like to confirm that the site meets Duke's requirements, students can reach out to UCAE Student Involvement. We will work with the student organization to find a site that meets the organization's needs and Duke's venue rental requirements," Shaw wrote.

The leaders of religious groups on campus noted the importance of retreats for the mental well-being of students.

“An important aspect of Islam is to step back from daily activities to remember God,” the MSA's statement said.

Like many religions, Islam encourages its followers to take a pilgrimage to their holy land. For Muslims, the ultimate holy land is Mecca. Retreats are like a mini-pilgrimage for Muslim students.

“In today’s toxic, Islamophobic political climate and especially in light of recent events, it’s comforting and important for Muslim students to take a step back and know that they are not alone on campus,” the statement said.

Martin noted that the religious retreats are also important for Catholic students.

“In order for students to recharge and connect on a deeper level in faith, it is necessary to take some time away from the demands and distractions of college life—to get away and be at peace,” he said.

Correction: This article was updated June 27 at 3:00 p.m. to clarify that the information provided by the MSA was received in a collaborative statement from MSA leaders. The Chronicle regrets the error.