Center for Ethics
and Spirituality

Phone: (858) 534-2521
Fax: (858) 534-5848

The Center for Ethics and Spirituality at UCSD

The Center for Ethics and Spirituality at UCSD, established as the Office of Religious Affairs at UCSD in 1967, provides an accessible source for students to find spiritual, moral, and ethical guidance and support. The member denominations are all led by professionals for whom the campus is the primary responsibility. The office is self-supporting. The membership has varied over the years and is currently comprised of the Newman Center Catholic Community at UCSD, Hillel: the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, the University Lutheran Community, the Wesley Foundation, the Unitarian Universalist Campus Ministry, the Canterbury Episcopal Community, and the Islamic Center of San Diego.

The C.E.S. works to equip students with critical tools for the development of moral and ethical character. The members provide non-denominational spiritual and secular counseling, and act as referrals to other university services such as psychological and legal services. Some of the issues students bring to the C.E.S. involve familial relationships, peer relationships, sexuality, meaning of life, search for identity, and other issues of young adult development.

Promoting religious, racial, ethnic, and cultural tolerance and appreciation of diversity on campus is a major goal of the C.E.S. Another important function is to provide students with opportunities to connect with and serve in the larger San Diego community.