Spirituality is a top concern among college freshman, according to the results of a survey regarding college students' attitudes about spirituality and religion recently released.
The survey, prepared by the Higher Education Research Institute of the University of California at Los Angeles, found that more than three-quarters of freshmen are looking for meaning in life. Also, more than two-thirds pray on a regular basis, and most of the students surveyed were Christian.
Assistant Sociology Prof. Brad Wilcox said there is evidence of a spiritual priority here at the University.
"I do think that we are seeing an increase in religious orthodoxy in undergraduates," Wilcox said. "I have seen this at U.Va. and Princeton. For instance, I have seen in Catholic ministries that students are initiating Bible studies and groups where they say the rosary, and they are bringing in outside speakers about their faiths."
Wilcox, who also is a faculty fellow at the Center on Religion and Democracy, said he thinks students are more religious now then they were 10 years ago.
"Not only is their religious activity more prevalent, but also I think that they are more theologically conservative than undergraduates were 10 years ago," he said. "One indicator of this is that college students tend to be more pro-life than they were 10 years ago. This is probably evidence of the religious trends of this survey."
Wilcox said religious trends have changed over the past decade so that now there is a polarization of religious and non-religious students.
First-year College student Lisa Kovacic, who is a member of Agape Christian Fellowship, said she is not surprised by the results of the survey.
"I think that big things at the University are happening," Kovacic said. "I see a lot of interest and genuine interest to know God just through interactions with people."
She said the University's Christian groups have been instructive for her.
"For me personally, Agape has been instrumental in my growth as a Christian," Kovacic said. "It is a really supportive group of people, and it just shows that there is an alternative to the ultra-secular University life."
She added that Agape and other Christian groups are trying to reach out to the University at large. Agape has hosted guest speakers, including Economics Prof. Kenneth Elzinga, who spoke last night.
"Earlier this semester, we surveyed students all around Grounds and formulated the top three questions that students wanted to know about God," she said. "Then we had a speaker come in and answer those questions."
She said she thinks there are plenty of opportunities around Grounds for individuals who wish to seek God in their lives.
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