Foundation for Campus Ministry, Inc.
Vision Statement

For generations now higher education has been seen as part of a process of formation. This process, which begins with elementary or grammar school, is one, which has historically been seen as a preparation for a particular vocation and for meaningful participation in society.

In the recent past, while the original goals of gainful employment and good citizenship have remained in place, three things at least have changed…and changed dramatically. The University, which for generations acted in loco parentis, went through a reevaluation of its role in the turmoil of the sixties and in almost every case backed off of its until then nearly uncontested authority to govern every detail of a student's life both on and off campus. More recently, financial and social conditions have altered the way in which young people are raised. This fact, although it is difficult to assess, seems profoundly related to the nature of the traditional aged student entering the University. And, lest we think that all University students are in the 18-21 year old bracket, it bears mentioning that of the 17.6 million attending universities or colleges nationwide 38% are age 25 and older. Men and women returning to or attending for the first time these institutions of higher learning seek to enhance their desirability in the employment marketplace.

Currently, there appears to be a desire on the part of many colleges and universities, now interestingly headed by administrators who attended college in the sixties and seventies, to take back some control of the learning environment. Concern about the fragmentation and decay present in a broad swath of society at large has led to a revisioning of education as transformation.

More than private colleges and universities have come to see their responsibility in the formation of the "total person". Many public colleges and universities, while respecting the traditional barrier between Church and State, have recognized the natural benefit of a strong and diverse campus ministry to address the issues of the academic community, which they are unable to address. A good campus ministry is able to meet the spiritual needs of the academic community with religious, spiritual and intellectual integrity through the diversity of its campus ministers, the quality of its programming and the convenience and adequacy of its physical facility. It often draws strength from the faith communities in the area and acts as a bridge between the university and the community.

The Foundation for Campus Ministry, Inc. has served the academic community at Eastern Connecticut State University since 1972. Established by the Willimantic Clergy Association to insure that there would always be a campus ministry available to Eastern regardless of the changes in leadership of the various area faith communities, the Foundation for Campus Ministry supports the ministry of four campus ministers currently. The Foundation itself has no religious affiliation but is operated by a Board of Directors composed of Eastern faculty, student, and area representatives.