Reach out to Administrators
Staff and student leaders may reach out to university administrators to show support and to explore ways they can collaborate to welcome incoming students to campus. University administrators may be understandably protective when it comes to providing information or access to new students.
Since this is the case, here are a few suggestions:
- Help new students “find their people”
In the first place, we join University administers in wanting to see every student connected to their community. It isn’t true of all students, but for many graduate students this includes a church or fellowship group.
- Have students take the lead
It is generally better to have students offer to reach out in support of new students. Administrators may be more receptive to students contacting other students.
- As an InterVarsity Staff…
You may be able to contact administrators in your role as advisor to the Graduate Christian Fellowship. If the Fellowship is a recognized student organization, the administrators may be glad to help Christian students connect with the group. Keep in mind that you need to put on your "secular-friendly religious" tone and not use Christian words. In many parts of the country, evangelicals aren't seen in kind ways. So if you're new to your campus and haven't had extended conversations with administrators to know how they would receive a meeting with you, consider first talking with familiar faculty or your Area Director before reaching out. And rather than contacting administrators seeking information, start by getting to know them and praying (at a distance) for them and their work. Administrators like the Dean of Students, the International Students and Visiting Scholars office and those who oversee student clubs all have long memories. It is important that we take care, understand our campus culture, build relationships and establish trust so that we don’t make mistakes that screw this up from the start.
- As a Chaplain…
If you serve on your campus as a recognized chaplain, you may be thought of as a colleague by the administration.In this capacity you may have a broader reach and be able to work with other chaplains to extend welcome to all the students to “help them find their people.”You would in effect be welcoming all students and encouraging them to connect with their various faith/secular community, but doing this as a “Christian Chaplain” who is connected with a particular Christian Fellowship.Also, in this season where there continues to be a great deal of disruption due to the pandemic and intense engagement with racism and justice issues, administrators may be glad to know that we are on the job offering pastoral care.
