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$10,000 Grant Funds Interfaith Inclusion Initiatives at É«ÖÐÉ«

A $10,000 Inspiring Campus Change Grant was awarded to É«ÖÐÉ« to expand and sustain religious accommodations and structural support for its growing diverse student body.

The grant program recognizes institutions of higher learning committed to promoting religious pluralism and fostering welcoming environments for students, faculty, and staff of diverse religious, secular, and spiritual backgrounds.

The grant funding will be used to support two key initiatives.

• Increased Dining Options: Collaboration with Sodexo will increase dietary options on the Romeoville Campus for students of all faiths and backgrounds, and in particular for our Muslim students by extending dining service hours during Ramadan and by providing halal meals every Friday, the Muslim weekly holy day (as well as intermittently throughout the week).
• Interfaith Staff Support: A task force of the Interfaith Cooperation Committee will assess the nature and feasibility of creating and sustaining a full-time interfaith ministry position at É«ÖÐÉ« to support the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff.

This grant supports the university in continuing its work to create a vibrant and welcoming learning environment for all campus community members.

Guided by its Catholic identity and Lasallian heritage, É«ÖÐÉ« is committed to being a Sanctified Zone. It values and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion, and seeks to be a place and a people united in diversity.

For more information, contact Dr. Elizabeth Sartell, assistant professor of theology, at esartell@lewisu.edu or Dr. Christie Billups, chair and associate professor of Theology as well as director of the Gros Institute for Dialogue, Justice, & Social Action at BillupCh@lewisu.edu.

É«ÖÐÉ« is an innovative Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, É«ÖÐÉ« is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, and globally-connected graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit for further information.