Students walking by the Faith & Spirituality Centre

Frequently Asked Questions

No - we welcome people from all different religious/spiritual/secular traditions and anyone who may be seeking, questioning or exploring. Even if you are curious about other religions, but have no interest in being religious, this is a great place to connect!

No – we strive to be a safe and inclusive space and will not try to convert you to a particular religion. The chaplains also sign an agreement stating they will not try to aggressively or coercively try to proselytize or convert anyone. We are happy to help answer any questions you may have about religion/religious communities.

The FSC is a great place to meet new people, hang out in our drop-in lounge, and eat free food! You can study, eat your lunch, play board games, or take a break. Stop in for 5 minutes to say hi; we promise we will grow on you!

A faith representative or chaplain is a religious leader that recognized as such by a broad religious community and has been trained to work with specific populations, such as university students. They are here to provide spiritual/religious support and guidance and crisis support to students, staff and faculty regardless of their beliefs or outlook. Many faith representatives/chaplains also engage in building communal opportunities for gathering, worship, growth and reflection.

Often the faith representatives are available on a drop-in basis, but if you wish to see a specific chaplain it is best to make an appointment with one through phone or email. There is no cost associated with chaplain services.

The University of Calgary believes that we should support students, staff, and faculty to be the most successful they can be. For many, that includes supporting their religious life and identity on campus. There are numerous faith based clubs through the Students' Union, as well as the services offered through the Faith & Spirituality Centre that work to achieve that. Research has shown that supporting students' religious and spiritual identities results in positive mental health, more inclusive practices and policies on campus, and allows students to focus on their academic and co-curricular lives.

Additionally, like all other postsecondary institutions in Alberta, the University of Calgary is under the jurisdiction of the Alberta Human Rights Act and is required by law to provide religious accommodation. Providing religious accommodation does not indicate that the University of Calgary has adopted or otherwise undertaken a particular religion or religious practice.

The FSC is pleased to provide a lounge in our centre where students can relax on campus. We also manage multi-faith spaces across campus such as the Vitruvian Space and the Large and Small Prayer Rooms. You can view all of our spaces on campus and book them online.

The following restaurants on campus offer Halal options:

  • Zoca (chicken) in ICT
  • Konz: Pizza in a Cone in ICT
  • The Den in MacEwan Hall
  • Last Defense Lounge on the 3rd floor of MacEwan Student Centre
  • Canadian Pizza Unlimited in MacEwan Hall
  • Mr. Pretzels in MacEwan Hall

At this time, the university does not have Kosher facilities on campus. There are select options to have catered Kosher food through Conference & Event Management.

Here are a list of available places in Calgary that carry Kosher food:

  • Safeway - Glenmore Landing (14th St. and 90th Ave. SW)
  • Sobey's - Bridlewood (2335 162nd Ave SW)
  • Superstore (10505 Southport Road SW)
  • Kalinka (8, 7400 Macleod Trail SE)
  • Italian Centre (9919 Fairmount Drive SE)
  • Co-op - Oakridge (2580 Southland Dr. SW)
  • many other stores, including Save-on-Foods carry some kosher items

Kosher Wine:

Yes, there are numerous food outlets and restaurants on campus that sell vegetarian and vegan food. At this time however, we are unable to provide you with a list on food outlets that use seperate food preparation areas, utensils, and cooking surfaces and oils for vegetarian food. We recommend that you ask the vendor if that is an important consideration for you.

The FSC is a great place to learn about different religions by coming to our programming and events or by speaking with a chaplain, staff member, or volunteer! We also have a library available to students, staff, and faculty that features many different books about religion.

Check out our religious pluralism page at https://www.ucalgary.ca/student-services/faith-spirituality/religious-pluralism.

There are many ways to get involved and volunteer at the FSC. Please visit: https://www.ucalgary.ca/student-services/faith-spirituality/get-involved/volunteer to learn more.

There are many places for yoga or meditation on campus. If you would like to try religious/spiritual-based yoga and meditation you can find a list here.

Yes, the FSC seeks to foster an inclusive and pluralistic campus community that does not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Some of our programming includes focuses on LGBTQ+ and religion. The FSC hopes to provide a space where you can be your true and authentic self.