Letter to the editor: On Grace Memorial Chapel

When I was a freshman at Wichita State, the extent of my knowledge about the chapel was that you could get married there for $70. Although, I believe that rate has increased since then.  

In fall 2013, I learned of a project spearheaded by the Campus Issues Committee of Student Government Association to make the chapel an interfaith space. I began to educate myself on the issue and learned that students were using the third floor of the Ablah Library to pray because they did not have time to rent a room in the Heskett Center or walk to the nearest mosque.

When this project began two years ago, it seemed obvious the solution to this problem: Renovate a space underused by students and make it accessible to students who will use it. Even better, the project fit with President John Bardo’s strategic plan for “diversity of culture, thought, and experience.”

Particularly, renovation of the chapel supports Strategic Goal No. 5, “empower students to create a campus culture and experience that meets their changing needs” and Strategic Goal No. 6, that the university “be a campus that reflects — in staff, faculty and students — the evolving diversity of society.” 

After reading the article in The Wichita Eagle’s Wednesday paper, “News of Wichita State chapel renovation to help Muslims sparks backlash,” I was disappointed with how fast the administration betrayed valiant student’s hard work to make our campus better reflect and justly represent our student body as stated in the university’s strategic plan.

The article not only undermined the hours of hard work that students have invested to make our university more inclusive, but it also unfairly targeted one demographic of students. 

We did not propose the chapel to become the Grace Memorial mosque or the Grace Memorial temple. Our vision was to make it accessible for all faiths. It just so happens that one faith utilizes it more than others.

This should not be a Muslim issue because it is not a Muslim issue. It is a First Amendment issue.

I would have to say what disappointed me most was the response from Bardo, a visionary and leader for our community, which I admire. His comment in the article read,

 “I don’t think that change (the renovation done in May) was undertaken with enough consideration of the feelings of all elements of the campus and broader community,” Bardo wrote.

As one of many students who spent countless hours talking to religious leaders, university faculty, staff, administration and students about the issue, I find this statement untrue. More than once, the community was invited to share their thoughts and opinions about the renovation and not once did Bardo or anyone from the article feel the need at that time to voice their opinions. 

In the end, this is a student issue that should not be influenced by power, money or prestige. This is an issue that should be decided by those that are most affected by its consequences.

Here is to believing in administration to make the right decision and to trust that they will represent the student body justly. 

— Chandler Williams, WSU graduate student, Sunflower copy editor