I am writing in response to, and in support of, the detailed and thoughtful message from Father Bill Wallace that appeared in The Argus last week. Although I know the University has taken a serious financial hit, it seems to me that cutting back the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL) is a singularly bad place to economize. The chaplains provide a level of support for the students, faculty and staff that goes far beyond conducting formal religious services, as important as those are. ORSL contributes to creating a sense of community, which would not be replaced by having someone direct students to local houses of worship. That sense of community is all the more significant as it helps relieve the isolation that the pandemic has imposed. I urge the administration to reconsider.

Andrew Szegedy-Maszak

Professor of Classical Studies