If you haven't checked out what's happening in University Ministry lately, you should. It's probable that many Marquette students are under the impression that the office is a place for a certain type of student. On the contrary, the department offers many faith opportunities that fit many different student needs. Recent changes to already successful retreat programs within the department are setting out to break boundaries even more and open its services up to all types of students, making it the kind of office that should be available on a Jesuit institution's campus.

As stated in the University Ministry 2007-'08 pamphlet, "University Ministry seeks to provide members of the Marquette community the opportunity to take time away to reflect on their relationships with God." The department has successfully done this through its retreat program in the past, leading students in Ignatian spiritual direction and reflection every year. Recognizing the importance of the retreats as a part of the university's identity, the Marquette administration has been active this year in making the retreat program grow with more funding, support and staff.

University Ministry has developed two additional retreats for freshmen. These retreats, called the First Year Experience Retreats stem from what used to be the Frosh One-day and Frosh Two-day retreats. Now there are four retreats for freshmen, two in the fall and two in the spring. The retreats provide an opportunity for new students to meet each other and begin a sense of community for themselves at Marquette. In order to draw freshmen to these retreats, information and the opportunity to set aside money for the retreat fees have been made available in the housing packets given to freshmen and their parents.

A new staff member, Craig Zimmer, has been hired this year to oversee the four First Year Experience Retreats in order to have a secure focus on the implementation and success of the retreats. The addition of this staff member will also take some of the load off Ann Mulgrew who coordinates the rest of the retreats. Expanding the opportunities for freshmen in the retreat programs is a great way for freshmen to be welcomed to the Ignatian college experience, and it's encouraging to see that the Marquette administration has recognized this and followed through with support.

In addition to the new retreats for freshmen, Ignatian retreats have been added to the retreat schedule. As described by University Ministry, this retreat "takes the same ideas of any other retreat, yet the material and the witness come from one dynamic person."

Adding more retreats will allow for more students to experience lessons and reflection of Ignatian spirituality, which is part of Marquette's identity as a Jesuit institution. The actions taken by University Ministry and the Marquette administration in its support are commendable.