Policies & Procedures

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure SUNY Broome Community College accepts the involvement of all religious denominations with the campus community in concert with the College’s other programs where such involvement does not conflict with the College’s educational function.

Statement of the Procedure

Space, on an assigned and scheduled basis, may be made available by the College Administration to any religious denomination for the purpose of individual student counseling. All such counseling must be at the student’s request.

College facilities, including buildings, grounds, supplies and equipment shall not be made available to any person, group or organization for the purpose of conducting religious services or observances on a recurring or regularly scheduled basis.

Recognizing that the requirement of attending classes on days of special religious significance may prohibit or the right of religious freedom under the 1st Amendment, upon the request of a recognized student organization or a group of students representing a significant segment of the College population, the College Administration may, in its reasonable discretion and on a case-by-case basis, authorize the use of College space for the limited purpose of conducting religious services or observances on days of generally recognized special religious significance such as those requiring mandatory attendance; provided, however, that such authorization shall be further limited to days when the College is in active session.

The authorization to use College space for the purpose set forth in Paragraphs 1 and 2 above shall be granted by the College Administration on a nondiscriminatory basis, and such authorization shall not be deemed to imply official College support, approval or disapproval of any particular religion, denomination or faith.

No clergyman shall be designated or entitled to be referred to as “The Campus Chaplain” or by a title with similar meaning. No particular religious ministry shall be designated as “The Campus Ministry.” Members of the clergy while acting as such shall not use SUNY Broome Community College stationery and equipment nor avail themselves of the services of College clerical personnel.

The use of College facilities by the general public for religious services or observances shall be granted on a nondiscriminatory basis, and such use must comply with the External Rental and Facility Usage Procedure FG7001.1.

Religious symbols and other materials whose design and appearance obviously indicate that they are to be used for religious services shall not be stored or displayed in such a way as to indicate that the place where they are stored or displayed has been designated by the College as the preserve of a particular sect or denomination.

To Whom It Applies

This procedure applies to all members of the College community including but not limited to College affiliates, administrators, faculty, staff, students, volunteers, vendors, guests and visitors.

General Guidelines

The following policies and procedures must be followed to ensure the proper management of religious affiliated events:

• Procedure FG7001.1- External Rental Events and Facility Usage

Action