Chaplains, Religious Group Directors and their staff, Religious Group Advisors, and recognized student religious groups and chaplaincies function within The Ethical Framework for Religious Life at Syracuse University. Within each of these categories, their status on campus requires adherence to the specified conduct norms indicated throughout by italics. Violations of these conduct norms places the person or group at risk of de-certification/loss of status, as determined by the Dean of Hendricks Chapel and specified below. Beyond those conduct norms indicated through italics, it is hoped that all participants within the religious life of the University will identify with the broad aspirations and spirit articulated below.

The Framework has been endorsed by the Senior Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, the Hendricks Chapel Advisory Board, and the Chaplains Council. It has been reviewed by the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and Provost, University Senate, University's general counsel, Director's Plus, and Academic Coordinating Council. It stands in congruence with other University statements of mission, policy, and procedure.

Departures from The Ethical Framework will initially be handled through discussion with the Dean of Hendricks Chapel and, if appropriate, other relevant university personnel. In the case of egregious or continuing violations by a religious leader the person will be asked to cease his/her campus ministry/program at Syracuse University and asked to relinquish the Syracuse University identification card which he/she gained through the Office of the Dean of Hendricks Chapel. Before termination stage is reached, the Dean will confer with the religious supervisor(s) within the sponsoring organization or denomination and/or, as appropriate, the Senior Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs. In the case of egregious or continuing violation by a student organization, recognition will be withdrawn, as determined by the Dean of Hendricks Chapel.

PROVISIONS OF THE ETHICAL FRAMEWORK

Maintaining Commitment to Faith and to the University

When promoting their ministry/program, chaplains, religious group directors, advisors, and staff must clearly identify themselves and their particular affiliation. When acting in the name of the Office of the Dean of Hendricks Chapel or the University as a whole, they must do so in a nonsectarian manner even while acknowledging the particular religious group they represent.

Those professionals or volunteers who gain affiliation with the Office of the Dean of Hendricks Chapel, whether as chaplains, religious group directors, or advisors, are encouraged to speak openly about their particular faith commitment under appropriate circumstances and to work actively to build their faith community on campus. The collegiality and professionalism of chaplains and religious group directors is compatible with their expressing doctrines, voicing personal opinions, and carrying on religious practice. It is understood that chaplains, religious group directors and advisors and their staff represent specific religious traditions or faith communities and that their primary commitment is to serve the welfare of their own campus congregations, even while they are called upon simultaneously to serve the welfare of the entire Syracuse University community.

Balancing Particularity and Inclusiveness

Student religious groups must be open to general participation by any interested student.

They may, however, specify requirements for holding a leadership position and/or participating in a particular religious ritual.

Following University Policies

Chaplains, religious group directors, advisors, and staff must ensure that their groups follow the Syracuse University Code of Student Conduct.

Chaplains, religious group directors, advisors, students and staff should oversee that their groups follow the Syracuse University Code of Student Conduct. Religious groups are expected to comply with all University policies, including but not limited to those which pertain to hazing, harassment, academic integrity, registration of student groups, use of campus facilities, and conduct of students.

Promoting Religious Freedom

A student must be able freely to participate in or to leave a religious group without being subject to harassment or procedures that compromise the student’s autonomy.

Chaplains, religious group directors, staff, and their student groups will support religious freedom on campus, enabling students to explore and believe–or not–any particular teaching or idea. Syracuse University religious groups should strive for a campus climate that honors the individual autonomy of each person, encourages open exploration, stimulates intellectual as well as spiritual inquiry, and supports the university’s devotion to truthfulness and the search for knowledge.

Respecting Religious History and Ancestral Connection

Chaplains, religious group directors, staff, advisors, and student groups should support the university’s goal of making every student feel as much at home as possible within the Syracuse University community, a goal which requires respect for the religious convictions and/or ancestral identification of each student.

The University supports the presence of a wide range of religious groups, encouraging the formation of new groups to serve newly emerging religious/ethnic constituencies. Chaplains, religious group directors, advisors, and their staff should inform themselves of the varieties of religious expression available on campus and within central New York, so as to help students learn about the religious setting of their heritage. Of course, students are free to explore religious options or embrace a religious tradition other than that in which they were raised, and chaplains, religious group directors will generously facilitate their process of exploration.

Upholding Religious Diversity and Civil Discourse

In public statements and activities, chaplains, religious group directors, and advisors, their students and staff must avoid denigrating or de-legitimizing any religious group that has gained recognition at Syracuse University.

Chaplains, religious group directors, advisors, staff, and student groups should cultivate respect for, and understanding of, the range of world religions and non-religious thought. Such respect will be strengthened by open dialogue, debate, and discussion among two or more groups. Proselytizing by undermining another religious community is considered a violation of good practice, and even sincere conversation should not be sought through deprecating other groups.

Chaplains, religious group directors, advisors, and their students should share their faith with others in a manner that avoids harassing, demeaning, or disregarding the integrity and freedom of other persons in making their own decisions in matters of religious faith and identity. They should avoid language that foments hatred or prejudice, or which otherwise undermines the community of respect and trust which is essential to free academic discourse and to a democratic society.

Respecting the University’s Academic Mission

Chaplains, religious group directors, advisors, and staff must not engage in any action that (a) seriously compromises a student’s academic standing, (b) removes students from campus by pressure or force or without their full consent, (c) places undue financial pressure on students, or (d) exploits the sexual or other vulnerability of students.

Chaplains, religious group directors, advisors, and their staff are expected to respect the goals and purposes of the University, avoiding programs or efforts that obstruct the achievement of those goals, especially with regard to students. They should responsibly support the University’s pursuit of the educational goals which form its foundation.

The overall programming calendar pursued by a religious group director or advisor, or followed by their student group, should not be so demanding as to make it difficult for students who are committed members of the group to meet the academic obligations which constitute the primary purpose for university enrollment. While attending to potential conflict of interest with the University on this overall level, chaplains, religious group directors and their staff are also encouraged to inquire as to the academic status of, and current demands on, individual students involved with their groups.

Acknowledging Students’ Relationships With their Families

Chaplains, religious group directors, advisors, and their staff are encouraged to be sensitive to the relationship between students and their families, and to be as open as possible with concerned parents while respecting the confidentiality of communication and individual autonomy of students as adults.

In cases of uncertainty or conflict, the chaplain or religious group director will confer with the Dean of Hendricks Chapel.

Publicizing with Integrity

In publicizing their group and its programs or offering items on campus, chaplains, religious group directors, advisors, staff, and students must create and distribute only materials that clearly convey who they are, the focus of their group or program, and connections to any off-campus organizations.

The name of the sponsoring group needs to be large enough to be easily read by anyone encountering the item–whether a flyer, poster, newspaper advertisement, banner, or free gift.

The name “Office of the Dean of Hendricks Chapel” may not be used on publicity without the knowledge and consent of the Dean.

Use of the University’s seal must conform to the guidelines established by the University.

Honoring Confidentiality

Chaplains, religious group directors, advisors, and staff, whether clergy or lay, function as religious professionals and therefore must honor the confidentiality of students and others who they guide and counsel. Such confidentiality governs unless specifically waived or as covered under specific legal provisions.

Likewise, student religious groups should be educated to maintain an atmosphere where the personal communication encouraged by a religious setting is respected as confidential.

Dealing with Disagreements

When chaplains, religious group directors, or advisors find themselves in disagreement with the University administration, the Dean of Hendricks Chapel, or their fellow chaplains, religious group directors, or advisors, they should handle this disagreement as an internal matter.

Should claims of conscience bring a chaplain, religious group director, or advisor to publicly disagreeing with established University policy or procedures, the chaplain, religious group director, or advisor should notify the Dean of Hendricks Chapel, preferably in advance of the situation. In cases of conflict among chaplains, religious group directors, or advisors, those involved will try to work with one another to achieve a resolution. If a solution is not reached at this level, those involved should seek counsel with the Dean of Hendricks Chapel, who may bring the matter to a meeting of the Hendricks Chapel Advisory Board. In situations where the above modes of resolution do not suffice, the Dean will seek the advice or involvement of the Senior Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs or the relevant University official.