Thanks to a $6,000 SUNY Interfaith, Prayer, Meditation, and Reflection Space Mini-Grant, SUNY Brockport launched a new Interfaith Center — located in Cooper Hall, Room M9 — to meet the growing demand for inclusive spiritual spaces on campus.
“We’re trying to create a campus culture where everyone feels like they belong.”
Damita D. Davis
“We’re trying to create a campus culture where everyone feels like they belong,” said Chief Diversity Officer Damita D. Davis. “That includes recognizing and supporting spiritual identity.”
The original Interfaith Center, located on the second floor of the Seymour Union, lacked space to accommodate multiple groups or individuals practicing their faiths simultaneously. To address this need, Davis partnered with the Research Foundation to develop a proposal that secured funding for a second campus space.
“This is a big part of people’s identities,” Davis said. “We want you to feel seen, supported, and welcome.”
Upon entering the room, visitors see clearly posted guidelines outlining expectations for respectful use of the space, emphasizing inclusivity and the importance of accommodating multiple faiths and traditions.
The room is equipped with storage for religious texts, yoga mats, a tabletop water fountain, chakra crystals, affirmation cards, and room dividers to support the practice of diverse faith and wellness traditions.
“We wanted to create a space that’s inclusive and accessible — whether you’re here to observe your faith or simply seeking a quiet place to relax and meditate,” Davis said.
Looking ahead, Davis plans to collaborate with departments such as Advancement for religious text donations; Campus Recreation for yoga and meditation gear; and student organizations, including Brockport Student Government, to support ongoing updates to the room.
The effort to revitalize the space prompted the re-establishment of an Interfaith Council. The council includes students, faculty, and staff who contribute ideas on space usage, community standards, and ways to promote interfaith dialogue within the Brockport community.
Groups such as Brockport 180, the Jewish Faculty and Staff Affinity Group, and the Muslim Student Association are invited to participate in the council, along with others representing a wide range of religious or spiritual identities.
Directions to the room:
When you arrive at Cooper Hall, take the elevator located in the center of the building.
After exiting the elevator, turn right down the hallway.
The room is the fifth door on the left.