Campus Ministry and Academics

Divided into three parts, this article first describes the impact that historical and sociological factors, especially the weakening of the Catholic subculture and the recent development of “emerging adulthood”, have on Catholic colleges and universities. The second part is a discussion of the typical approaches—both strengths and weaknesses—of campus ministers and academics to the formation of young adult Catholics, and some of the differences that result from size, residential character, and academic aspirations. The third part offers several recommendations, encouraging faculty to take students’ pastoral needs into serious consideration, and challenging campus ministers to be more attentive to the intellectual dimensions of students’ faith