SUNY Oswego recently opened a new Prayer and Meditation Room in 301 Wilber Hall, designed as a quiet and inclusive space for reflection, prayer and stress relief for students, faculty and staff. 

Formerly an office, the new space is part of the university’s ongoing commitment to support students’ mental health and wellbeing. 

The idea for the room emerged from campus-wide discussions during the pandemic on how to utilize state and federal COVID-19 relief funding to improve wellness resources. These conversations included members of the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Campus Recreation and the Office of the Dean of Students. 

“We saw there was a gap in spaces for individual prayer or meditation on campus,” said Christy Huynh, dean of students and assistant vice president for student affairs. “We really wanted to be intentional about creating a space that is accessible, welcoming and inclusive of all practices.”

The goal was to create spaces on campus where individuals could take time for themselves. The privacy booths scattered across campus and the Harmony rooms in Dr. Mary Walker Health Center and Penfield Library were the first spaces to stem from this goal. 

Huynh met with leaders of several faith-based student organizations last fall in an effort to ensure the room reflected the needs of the campus community. Students visited the space and offered suggestions regarding the layout, tone and available resources in the room. 

Their feedback influenced the decision to keep the room symbol-neutral, decorating the space with images of nature rather than specific religious icons. This ensures the room remains inclusive and allows individuals to bring items meaningful to their own practice. 

“We want someone to be able to walk in whether they are praying, meditating or just needing a quiet moment,” said Melissa Paestella, director of campus events and conference services. “When they leave here, we hope they find a sense of peace and a sense of calm that they may not have had when they walked in.” 

The room is open during Wilber Hall’s building hours and can be accessed by swiping a SUNY Oswego ID. The space includes prayer mats, yoga mats, shoe covers, a water station and seating. 

Planned additions include floor cushions, soft lighting, plants and a footwashing station for those whose practices require cleansing before prayer. Since the room is a communal space, guidelines posted inside the space encourage quiet, mindful use, and prohibits the use of candles or incense due to fire safety. 

As the room continues to be used, feedback will remain an important part of shaping its future. Huynh noted that while the space serves an important purpose, it also represents the beginning of a larger effort to expand reflective and wellness spaces across campus. 

“We believe this is a starting point,” Huynh said. “We hope that, maybe in the future, we will be able to have additional spaces that are even more conducive.”  

For more information or to suggest improvements, campus community members can contact Kelly Perkins from the Division of Student Affairs or visit the Support for Students webpage. 

–- Written by Emma Kerl of the Class of 2026