Campus Ministry retreats are too expensive for students who want to develop their spiritual life or take a break from school.
Retreats are meant to allow students time away from the hectic college life to cleanse, pray and obtain a greater understanding of God.
Whether that time away is spent in group worship and adoration or in silence, retreats are necessary and valuable.
They shouldn’t carry such a hefty price, especially since faith is one of the four pillars of Marquette’s mission.
We learn about faith in our theology and philosophy courses, practice it through various worship services, and develop it through prayer and reflection.
But when that development needs guidance, how can a price be put on prayer?
Marquette’s administration must further subsidize retreats to make them affordable for all students.
Campus Ministry sponsors six annual retreats: Connect First Year, Marquette Experience, Finding God in All Things, Road to Manresa, Silent Directed and Lenten Retreat in Daily Life.
With the exception of the Lenten retreat (free), weekend retreats cost $45 and the five-day silent retreat is $150.
Overall retreat cost is determined by gasoline prices and vehicle rental, meals and snacks, and facility use, said Ann Mulgrew, assistant director of Campus Ministry.
Obviously Campus Ministry will cover costs for those in dire need, but many students may choose to opt out of retreats due to the high cost, choosing to spend their money on other things.
Also, Marquette’s retreats are much pricier than other Jesuit universities, like Georgetown University, Loyola University Chicago, Saint Louis University, Gonzaga University, Fordham University and Creighton University.
Of the four universities offering comparable week-long retreats, Loyola’s was the most expensive at up to $175, closely followed by Marquette.
Next was Georgetown at $100 maximum, and lastly Saint Louis University ranked most affordable, maxing out at $65.
Costs are as low as $15 for a one-day retreat at Loyola, $20 for an overnight retreat at Saint Louis and $30 for a weekend retreat at Fordham.
Each of the schools subsidizes fees using its ministry retreat budget. We are all Jesuit universities with common beliefs. Why is Marquette so expensive?
Some price discrepancy is due to private donations to the program, as in Georgetown’s case, or to alumni participation and contributions.
Saint Louis cuts costs further by asking students to supply their own snacks and participate in meal preparation, restricting labor fees.
Implementing small changes like these could help to lower fees at Marquette.
The four pillars support Marquette and its students — if one is lacking, the others may suffer as well.
With faith as a pillar, shouldn’t it be affordable?
