Higher Education Research Institute launches second phase of spiritual study

The Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA's Graduate School of Education & Information Studies has announced that it will launch the second phase of a comprehensive, nationwide study of spirituality on college campuses. Called "Spirituality in Higher Education: A National Study of College Students' Search for Meaning and Purpose," the multi-year project will build on the wealth of information gathered to date and will continue to examine the trends, patterns and principles of spirituality and religiousness among college students.

A primary focus for this second phase of the project is to examine how the college experience ultimately influences undergraduate students' spiritual development.

Initial research revealed that college students view their spiritual development as a critical part of their college experience and that they want colleges and universities to support this development, but that most colleges and universities are not currently doing so.

"The research done in the first phase of the project has provided a great deal of information on college students' spirituality and what institutions are, or in most cases are not, doing to facilitate this development," said Alexander Astin, a co-principal investigator for the project. "This information offers a much-needed framework to help colleges expand opportunities for students to explore spirituality, and we look forward to engaging colleges and universities across the nation throughout this next phase of the project."

The project is funded by a $1.9-million grant from the John Templeton Foundation, which was established in 1987 by philanthropist and renowned international investor Sir John Templeton to encourage a fresh appreciation of the critical importance-for all peoples and cultures-of the moral and spiritual dimensions of life.

For more information, please visit the project website at www.spirituality.ucla.edu.