Interfaith and Meditation Space

Interfaith and Meditation Space at The City College of New York

The City College of New York (CCNY) welcomes students, faculty, and staff of all faiths, beliefs, and traditions. As a public institution, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where freedom of religious expression is supported and respected. To meet the spiritual and wellness needs of our diverse community, CCNY provides a dedicated Interfaith and Meditation Space located in the North Academic Center (NAC), Room 1/211, adjacent to the Office of Student Life and Leadership.

The Interfaith and Meditation Space is designed for individual prayer, meditation, and quiet reflection. The room is religiously neutral—containing no fixed religious symbols—and is open to all members of the campus community.

Students and staff are welcome to bring personal items needed for their practice. A designated area is provided for shoes, prayer mats, and religious texts.

Please note that this room is not intended for group gatherings or organized religious events. Any groups wishing to host a religious or spiritual program, please contact both the Manager of Interfaith Initiatives & Belonging at  lo%72ti%7a1@ccny.cu %6ey.edu" rel="nofollow"> lortiz1@ccny.cuny.edu and the Office of Student Life Room to begin the event request process.

Community Standards

To help keep this space welcoming, peaceful, and comfortable for everyone, we kindly ask that all users observe the following guidelines:

1. Please avoid bringing food or drinks into the room so we can maintain cleanliness.
2. The Space is not intended for sleeping or studying.
3. To maintain a peaceful atmosphere, please keep the space silent. Music, conversations, phone calls and video calls are not permitted.
4. We ask that everyone help keep the room tidy, place shoes on shoe racks and return mats to the designated storage areas after each use.
5. To honor the room’s religious neutrality, please refrain from displaying or leaving religious texts, posters, or symbols in the space.
6. You are welcome to bring personal religious or reflective items; we simply ask that you take them with you afterward or place them in the designated storage area.
7. This room is intended for quiet, individual use rather than group activities or meetings.
8. In case of emergency, please vacate the room immediately and follow college emergency procedures.
9. We ask that no fundraising or distribution of materials take place in this room.
10. Please be mindful of nearby rooms and help maintain a quiet and reflective environment for all.

By using this room, you are agreeing to honor and uphold these shared guidelines. If a user is found to violate these guidelines, they may be asked to leave room.

Hours of Operation

The Interfaith Space follows the City College hours of operation.

Contact

For questions regarding policies or use of the space and religious accommodations please contact:

Linda Ortiz
Manager of Interfaith Initiatives and Belonging
📧 lortiz1@ccny.cuny.edu

Religious accommodations request form: https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/studentaffairs/religiousaccommodations

Further reading: Religious Accommodations – The City University of New York