Is Chapman University religious?

Hi, I've been looking into Chapman University and although it was founded by the Disciples of Christ, I'm not really sure whether it's a religious affiliated university now. Does its religious roots still influence the university culture in any significant way? Thx!

Hello! While it's true that Chapman University was originally founded by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), today it identifies as an institution that is religiously affiliated but not religiously restrictive. This means it doesn't require students to adhere to any specific religious beliefs or practices.The university does continue to honor its original religious affiliation in several ways, though. They have a Fish Interfaith Center that provides services and resources to students of all faiths and beliefs, and there also are clubs and organizations related to different religions that students can join.However, the university's curriculum is secular, and it does not require students to take religious courses, unless they are relevant to a chosen major or minor. The overall university culture is open and inclusive, with emphasis on dialogue and understanding among people with diverse backgrounds and belief systems.

So to answer your question, while Chapman does acknowledge its roots and creates space for religious discussion and devotion, this does not dominate the culture or academic requirements in significant ways. Students from all walks of life, holding different belief systems, should feel comfortable studying there.