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Scott Center polls students on religious questions

The Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life issued a survey last week in an attempt to gather information about religious beliefs, activities and concerns at the College. The survey was sent to roughly 850 random individuals.

"This kind of information will help us shape the types of programs, services, and resources we provide to the College community," said Scott Center Director Augustus E. Jordan.

The survey asks about what services or activities are important to students and assesses their opinions on opportunities for worship and questions of human meaning.

People with agnostic and atheist beliefs are encouraged to take the survey, according to Jordan, so that the Scott Center can learn about their issues and views as well as those students who are religious.

"It's important now because the Scott Center is a relatively new office on campus, and seeks to be responsive to campus concerns," Jordan wrote in an e-mail. "[But] the College has had a Chaplain even since its inception, [so] the Scott Center is building on a long and rich tradition of interest in ethical, religious, and social issues."

The Scott Center has yet to examine the results of the surveys because they are still being completed, but will do so in late March and early April. The results will be shared with the College community once they are available.


SNG initiative will return candles to dining halls

The candles and dimmed lights that added a touch of atmosphere to the College's three dining halls last week during the Energy Symposium will return for several weeks in April, according to Matthew Biette, director of Dining Services.

From Feb. 26 to March 3, the mood lighting, candles and placards placed on dining tables drew attention to the Energy Symposium, which brought several speakers and performers to campus.

"Saving energy is something we all should be looking at," Biette wrote in an e-mail on Monday.

Biette said that the College's Sunday Night Group (SNG) asked him if they could organize more candlelit dinners this spring, and he agreed. He said the candles will be purchased and lit by SNG members.

According to SNG member Emily May '10, the April dinners will be a part of the Inter-Commons Initiative to Consume Less Energy (ICICLE).

The candlelit dinners and ICICLE originally began in January 2004 to promote awareness of energy-reduction initiatives on campus.

Biette said the candlelit dinners and mood lighting also make dinners calmer.

"I was in [for] dinner last week and remarked how much quieter it was in Atwater with the lights dimmed," he said. His only concern about allowing the candlelit dinners to continue is the safety hazard they may pose to unruly students.

"The only problem we have seen is students wanting to play with the flames," said Biette. "Thankfully, this has been isolated and has gone away."