Religious & Spiritual Life at CMU
Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL) offers programs and initiatives that cross traditional religious boundaries in order to increase our students' knowledge of and appreciation for the full diversity of the world's religious and spiritual traditions. RSLI's mission is to support all students along the spectrum of religious and spiritual practice and exploration by:
- Supporting individual religious commitment through programs, events, resources and space
- Facilitating connections of individuals and communities of faith, on and off campus
- Encouraging cooperation among and between religious, secular and worldview communities
- Promoting spiritual exploration and wellness for the whole CMU community
- Promoting religious literacy for all members of the CMU community
Meeting Religious Needs at CMU
Holidays and Calendars: Carnegie Mellon University intentionally fosters a community where all voices and views are heard and respected, which includes religious backgrounds and spiritual beliefs. Explore the Inclusive Holiday Observations and Interfaith Calendar.
Dining and Dietary Needs: Dining Services offers Vaad-certified kosher, Halal, vegan and vegetarian cuisine at select campus dining locations.
Housing Needs: Shabbat Keys are available by request for most University Housing facilities. To request a key, please email Housing Services by calling 412-268-2139.
Housing Services does not offer any housing communities dedicated to a specific religious affiliation, is not able to provide accommodations such as single rooms or private bathrooms for religious reasons, and is unable to consider requests for roommates of similar religious beliefs.
Spaces on Campus: Explore the various spaces on campus that offer quiet and calm for meditation, prayer and peaceful moments.
Connect with Religious, Spiritual, & Meaning-Making Communities
Council of Religious Advisors (CoRA)
Carnegie Mellon's Council of Religious Advisors (CoRA) are trusted religious advisorswho lead communities affiliated with CMU.
Student Organizations
CMU has more than 400 student organizations. Explore the CMU's Religious and Spiritual Life Student Organizations.
Religious & Spiritual Life Initiatives
Better Together Day/Week
Each Spring, Carnegie Mellon joins campuses across the country to observe Better Together Day—an initiative of the Interfaith Youth Core which celebrates interfaith cooperation and religious literacy. Throughout the week, we highlight groups and initiatives in our community that are working together to increase understanding and dialogue between individuals of different (or no) faith backgrounds.
The Sit Together Project
The Sit Together Project is an initiative which provides opportunities to develop interfaith leadership for members of the Carnegie Mellon community. Sit Together participants build capacity in the area of worldview engagement, form relationships across lines of difference, and serve as interfaith leaders in the broader campus community.
If you have questions, or are interested in participating, please email Religious and Spiritual Life Initiatives.
Spirituality Development Month
November is a showcase of spiritual, religious and interfaith life at Carnegie Mellon! Join Religious and Spiritual Life Initiatives, the Council of Religious Advisors, and our religious and spiritual student organizations in celebrating the religious and spiritual diversity of our community.
Check out the Well-being Calendar for upcoming events!
Friendsgiving
In late November, CMU hosts Friendsgiving, the annual Thanksgiving feast at CMU that celebrates friendship, gratitude, and food.
MLK Interfaith Breakfast
Every year in late November, members of the Carnegie Mellon community are invited to an informal breakfast with campus and community interfaith leaders, followed by fellowship and conversation about the life and legacy of Dr. King through the lens of faith, activism, and social justice. Please join us for breakfast, music, conversation, and a keynote address. Full schedule of MLK Celebration Events.
Mental Health Benefits of Spirituality: Learning from challenges | Self-reflection | Inner peace and centeredness | Confidence and motivation | Being present in the moment | Empathy and self-compassion | Better relationships with yourself and others | Sense of community and purpose | Connecting with meaningful activities