New Multi-faith Prayer Space available at Renison

Friday, March 24, 2023

Our student community has expressed the need for a multi-faith prayer space at Renison to meet the prayer needs of students, in addition to St. Bede's Chapel. 

In partnership with the Muslim Student Association and Renison Academic Student Council, your Student Experience and Housing team has been working hard to develop a new multi-faith prayer space at Renison. This space, located in Room 0103 in the basement level (below the Renison Ministry Centre & Lusi Wong Library), will be in the previously-known Study Cave room area. 

At present, the room is an open space available for quiet prayer. We will be working in the coming weeks to furnish the room further with carpeting, shelving, and additional features to allow for greater functionality of the space. If you have any feedback about this space, we invite you to connect with Scott McLeod, Renison's Chaplain. 

For students who may have used this space previously for studying, we are working to expand usage of the Norma & Arthur Brown Seminar Room (Room 2101), located on the second floor near the Renison Cafeteria balcony area. During the daytime, this room will be available for meeting room bookings for Renison staff and faculty. During the evenings and weekends, students are invited to use this space for study purposes. New furnishings are now available in this room. The Lusi Wong Library also continues to provide library study room spaces that can be booked online

The Bryant Family Quiet Space (located in Room 0203C) has previously served as a multi-purpose space, including a space for multi-faith prayer. This space will continue to be available as a dedicated quiet space to allow for meditation, peace, and support individuals with sensory issues. This space also is Renison's First Aid Room, equipped with a first aid kit and bed. This room is located in the hallway adjacent to Housing staff and Marketing and Recruitment staff.

Lastly, our Facilities Management team is working to renovate and develop a new student lounge to open later this summer in the basement below our Down Under residence floor. We are delighted for this space to come equipped with a new TV and ping pong table to provide more social spaces for students. More information coming soon!

It is our goal to prioritize student space and access for all members of our Renison community that enhances opportunities for community-building and physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. We welcome you to provide any feedback or input by chatting with your Student Experience and Housing team, or by completing our Wellness webform

Mutli-faith Prayer Space - carpetting and additional furnishings coming soon!