Passed: March 2025 (17th)

What is the current problem, and how does it affect students?

As we enter a sacred season for multiple faiths, such as Lent and Ramadan, I have been reflecting on how I have engaged with my faith on campus—both communally and privately. Throughout my university journey, I have found it more difficult than expected to practice my faith in a way that feels supported. I believe my experience, as well as that of many other students, would be greatly enriched by clearer signposting towards existing multi-faith prayer and reflection spaces.

While there are existing prayer spaces across the university, they are not always well signposted or widely known, meaning many students may be unaware of where they can go for prayer and reflection. Multi-faith spaces and faith-specific spaces both serve important roles. Dedicated faith spaces, such as The Green Room, The Emmanuel Centre, and Hillel House, allow students to build a sense of faith community and participate in scheduled spiritual activities. However, without clear information about their locations, opening times, and available programs, many students may struggle to benefit from them.

In addition, the university has prayer rooms located within libraries and academic buildings that offer opportunities for private prayer. These spaces are particularly valuable due to their accessibility throughout the day, including potential 24-hour availability. However, due to a lack of awareness and resources catering to different faiths, these rooms are predominantly used by students whose religious practices require structured daily prayer. For students who seek private prayer at more flexible times, these spaces can feel unfamiliar or difficult to approach.

While it is encouraging to see that the university has taken steps to accommodate faith communities, the current facilities are limited in size and do not fully reflect the diversity of religious students on campus. A more intentional approach to multi-faith spaces would help ensure that students from all religious backgrounds feel supported during their busy university schedules.

What is your proposed change? How will it benefit students?

My proposed changes are as follows:

• Better signposting and advertising of multi-faith prayer spaces – Ensuring that students of all faith backgrounds are aware of where they can go for prayer and reflection. This can include digital and physical campus maps, clear signage, and information during student orientation.

• Improved visibility of faith-specific spaces – Providing clearer information about spaces such as The Emmanuel Centre, The Green Room, and Hillel House, including their locations, opening times, and available programs, so students can engage with their faith in dedicated environments.

• A respectful and collaborative approach – Ensuring that students who already regularly use these spaces do not feel displaced or intruded upon. This can be achieved through open dialogue with faith societies and student groups to determine how multi-faith rooms can be welcoming and functional for all. For this initiative to succeed, it will be crucial to work closely with the societies that most frequently use these spaces, ensuring that any changes are made in a way that respects their current use and does not impose restrictions on any group.

• Providing faith-based resources – Allowing faith societies to contribute relevant materials (e.g., holy books, prayer mats, prayer beads) to multi-faith spaces so that all students feel represented and welcomed. This could be supported through university funding, donations, or student-led initiatives..

• Better maintenance and management of prayer spaces – Encouraging volunteers from various faith backgrounds to help maintain these spaces, ensuring they remain clean, organised, and reflective of the respect each faith holds for prayer.

This initiative is not about taking space from any particular group or imposing changes for the sake of formality. Rather, it aims to create a more inclusive, respectful, and engaging environment for students to practice their faith. The goal is to raise awareness of existing prayer spaces on campus, ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to engage with these spaces according to their own spiritual needs. This is not about enforcing shared usage or introducing new restrictions. Instead, it’s about making sure that the use of these spaces reflects the wishes of each student to connect with their faith, rather than being limited by a lack of awareness of the resources available. The aim is for inclusion without intrusion.

Have you considered the impact of the proposed change for traditionally underrepresented student groups? 

This proposal will support the integration of underrepresented faith communities into university life. The University of Leeds has a diverse student body with students from a wide range of religious backgrounds, many of whom belong to minority faith and ethnic groups which may already face challenges in feeling included.

Prayer and reflection are central to the well-being of many students, and for those whose faith is a core part of daily life, this should not be something they struggle to maintain while at university. A truly inclusive campus is one that recognises the spiritual needs of its students and takes proactive steps to accommodate them.

By improving the visibility and accessibility of multi-faith spaces, the university can create an environment where students feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to practice their faith freely. Although different faith communities may have varying beliefs, they share a common commitment to spiritual engagement. Strengthening the presence of multi-faith spaces fosters interfaith understanding, encourages meaningful interactions, and builds stronger relationships among students.

A visible commitment to this initiative would send a powerful message: that the university values not only academic success but also the spiritual well-being of its students