Students at SUNY Oneonta have a new space on campus to pause, reflect and reconnect—no matter their background or beliefs.
Located on the main floor of Hunt Union in room 126, the Interfaith Prayer & Reflection Space is designed to offer an inclusive, peaceful environment where individuals and small groups can engage in personal contemplation, meditation and prayer, or simply take a moment of quiet.
Creation of the space was spearheaded by the Office of Student Experience (OSE) and was made possible through a State University of New York grant aimed—as SUNY Chancellor John B. King said—at “ensuring students from all faith backgrounds have appropriate spaces for prayer and meditation.”
“This is a room where everyone can come to make meaningful practice of their traditions,” said Erin Frerks, a senior English major who serves as OSE’s Interfaith Development Intern. “For me, it’s a place to center myself and reflect on personal and spiritual questions and issues I have. A place that is both silent for my thoughts and lively with its serene view and plants that decorate the room.”
OSE Student Experience Coordinator Gianluca Avanzato, who spearheaded the initiative, said the space also features a robust Interfaith Library, allowing students to learn more about world religious traditions, browse through a variety of sacred and secular texts, and deepen their understanding of themselves and others.
Avanzato, who holds a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Harvard Divinity School, will also lead an inaugural student Interfaith Council, which will meet regularly for interfaith dialogue and reflection through guided conversations on world religion, spirituality, personal philosophies, meaning making and more.
“When I was a college student, having an interfaith prayer space, an interfaith club, and a variety of spiritual and religious chaplains offered me invaluable opportunities to explore my curiosity, examine my experiences, and expand my understanding of myself and the world,” Avanzato said. “I hope this space, along with the inaugural student Interfaith Council, can offer similar possibilities to students at SUNY Oneonta.”
Whether students are seeking stillness, solace, or spiritual practice, the Interfaith Prayer & Reflection Room offers a calm, welcoming and restorative place at the heart of campus life.
“At SUNY Oneonta, we’re deeply committed to fostering a campus environment where every student feels seen, supported and empowered to bring their full selves to the college experience,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Tracy P. Johnson. “Opening this space is a meaningful step in that direction — a place that honors the diverse spiritual, cultural, and personal journeys of our students, and reinforces our belief that well-being and belonging are essential to student success.”