The Christian-based Grace Memorial Chapel on the Wichita State campus will undergo significant change, if student body president Matt Conklin has anything to say about it.

The entrance of the chapel resembles a traditional Christian church. Upon walking in, there are several rows of pews and crystal lighting hanging above. The floors are concrete.

Its layout is something Conklin — Student Body President — said he thinks is problematic for those who want the chapel to be “interfaith.”

“You get a Christian vibe from the setting, and that wasn’t the church’s original purpose,” Conklin said. “We want to remove some of those pews and create open areas and more of a welcoming environment for other religions. I also want to get the floor carpeted so other religions can pray, meditate and practice their faith comfortably.”

The chapel was built in 1965 with the intent of being open to students of all religious and spiritual beliefs. Fifty years later, the chapel has since lost its essence and become predominately Christian-based.

With diversity increasing and the international population growing steadily at WSU, making up more than 12 percent of the student body, Conklin has decided now is the time to get the chapel back to its foundation. Conklin and SGA have issued a proposal to remodel it into an Interfaith Prayer Space.  

Last year, there was an effort made to launch this project, but there was no sense of urgency until Conklin was elected president for 2014-15. Conklin said he thinks working on a cause like renovating the chapel is everything SGA wants to stand for.

“Student Government values diversity because it’s supposed to be a representation of the entire student population,” Conklin said. “This is the most diverse campus and university in the state of Kansas, (and) being such, our student body should represent that diversity.”

Conklin said an aspect of that diversity is the religions represented on campus.

“The idea behind this project is to create a faith-neutral flexible environment to all religions,” he said. “We want students on campus to feel like they can practice their religions in the chapel like it was originally intended.”

Conklin said the central pillar of his campaign last spring was the idea of advocacy for students of all backgrounds. Realizing the ever-growing population on campus, and not knowing if students were comfortable practicing their faith on campus, Conklin said he was urged to look into the issues with the chapel to see if he could help.

Conklin said he and SGA have been in talks with key offices on campus. Involved in those talks were the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Physical Plant and the Finance office.

Conklin said it would cost an estimated $4,400 for the renovations. He also said he plants to work with ODI to help get the word out to students that the chapel will be open to all faiths.

If SGA succeeds in its mission, at least one international student said he would be interested in visiting the chapel.

“I wasn’t made aware of the chapel previously, but I am not of Christian faith — not saying that I have anything against it, or anything — but if it was open to everybody, then I would definitely take a visit with some of my friends,” WSU student Eric Patel said.

Although nothing is finalized yet, Conklin said he is optimistic.

“The idea is to provide accommodation and inclusion from everybody and not isolate anyone,” Conklin said. “My big vision would be: ‘WSU is known as an accepting university and that it accepts different cultures and celebrates its diversity.’”