Religious Advisers

The religious advisers, located in Aelwyd on Cambrian Row, work with students to coordinate activities and programs exploring issues of spirituality, ethnicity, culture and social justice. The advisers are available for counseling and discussion of issues of faith and daily living. In addition, they work with student groups to organize religious services, study religious texts, plan community-service projects and discuss common concerns of faith and culture.

  • Catholic Adviser, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: Father Edward Windhaus, x5536; at Haverford, 610-896-4956;ewindhaus@brynmawr.edu
  • Christian Fellowship Advisers, sponsored by InterVarsity/Christian Fellowship: Heather Drew; x5619; HLHDrew@gmail.comDrew
  • Jewish Adviser, sponsored by Hillel of Greater Philadelphia: Bryn Mawr adviser, Leigh Ann Kopans, x5618; at Haverford, 610-896-4918;lkopans@rrc.edu
  • Muslim Adviser, Rehana A. Jan, M.D., 610-525-6441; rehanajan@comcast.net
  • Quaker Adviser, Helene Pollock; hpollock@haverford.edu

In addition, the following people from local religious institutions have met with the College's Director of Intercultural Affairs and have agreed to serve as contact people:

  • Rev. Barbara Abbott, Church of the Redeemer (Episcopal), 610-525-2486 Ext. 13; babbott@theredeemer.org
  • Rev. John Lee, Main Line Presbyterian Church, 610-645-0505; rev.johnlee@gmail.com
    * Rev. Jonathan Malone, Lower Merion Baptist Church, 610-525-1855; pastormalone@lowermerionbaptist.org
  • Rev. David Tatgenhorst, St. Luke United Methodist Church, 610-525-2396; davidtatgenhorst@yahoo.com
  • Rev. Marcellus Norris, Bethel A.M.E. Church, 610-527-6674
  • Rabbi Neil Cooper, Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El, 610-649-5300; ncooper@tbhbe.org
  • Dr. Mustafa Ahmed, Foundation for Islamic Education, 610-520-9624
  • Rabbi Eli Gurevitz, Chabad on Campus, 610-525-8672;RabbiEliG@gmail.com

For a list of religious institutions in the greater Philadelphia area, contact the Office of Intercultural Affairs.

For a list of religious student organizations, visit the religious organizations website.

Guidelines for Religious Advisers and Representatives

As a nondenominational institution, Bryn Mawr does not employ or endorse any religious advisers, groups or representatives. However, we recognize that religion is a significant aspect of many students' lives and that the free exercise of religion, as well as the open and vigorous discussion of religious ideas, is important to the educational mission of the College and to the quality of student life on campus. We therefore extend hospitality and assistance to religious advisers and to student religious groups that serve the spiritual and religious needs of our student population.

College policy requires that religious advisers or representatives who wish to have a continuing presence on campus and who are not members of the student community must register.

Religious groups composed entirely of Bryn Mawr students need not register if they wish to operate under the guidelines established by the SGA or College offices for any other student group on campus. Occasional visitors- for example, local clergy invited to campus for a single event- will be considered as any other campus guests and need not register.

Code of Conduct for Religious Advisers, Representatives and Groups

Religious advisers, representatives and groups registered with Bryn Mawr College will, by registering, agree to:

  • Respect state and local law and College policy. In cases where religious obligations and law or College policy seem to be in conflict, it is the responsibility of the adviser or representative to raise the concern directly with College officials.
  • Accurately represent the sponsorship, content and purpose of any meeting, speaker or other event.
  • Accurately describe their role on campus. They agree not to represent themselves as College officials or employees.
  • Respect the rights and freedoms of other religious groups, speakers, advisers or representatives on campus, and refrain from interfering with their activities, events or practices. Concerns about religious activities, events or practices on campus should be expressed in a manner consistent with the College's commitment to freedom of expression, freedom of religion and respect for the individual.
  • Respect the College's commitment to maintaining an educational environment free of harassment. While the College's commitment to freedom of speech and freedom of religion protects the expression of religious ideas, beliefs and convictions, its commitment to freedom from harassment protects individuals on campus from persistent and unwelcome pressures to engage in religious discussion, join any religious group or attend any religious event or function. Religious groups and representatives, therefore, agree to respect the wishes of those who decline to pursue religious discussions or activities with them. Individuals on campus who feel they have been subjected to persistent and unwelcome pressure from religious groups or representatives may seek redress through College procedures governing complaints of harassment.

To Register as a Religious Adviser or Group:

  • Provide to the liaison an annual statement including:
    • The name, mission statement and outside affiliations, if any, of the group or organization;
    • The name, address and phone number of a primary contact person or representative. If this representative is not a member of the College community, she or he must also provide a brief resume;
    • A statement of plans and goals for the year;
    • If the group or adviser was registered in the previous year, a report of activities and events from that year.
  • Be interviewed by the liaison or another representative of the Dean's Office. The purpose of this interview is to ensure that the adviser or representative has an understanding of the population and mission of Bryn Mawr College and of the role of religious advisers, representatives and groups in this community.
  • Agree to abide by the Code of Conduct.

Registered groups, representatives and advisers will be recognized for one year. During this year they will be able to share space in the Religious Adviser's Office, be listed in the Student Handbook and possibly other resource guides, work with the Student Life Office and other registered groups or advisers, and be invited to work with the Dean's Office when issues of common concern arise. Advisers and groups must re-register for each year they would like to be on campus. Any violations of the Code of Conduct will result in the revocation of registration for that year and the privilege of reapplying for the following year.