ABSTRACT
Given their underrepresentation on campus, Esther, Vince, and other students from various minority religious groups face struggles that their Christian and non-religious peers do not. Even some student aairs educators working in campus oces devoted to diversity issues do not consider the ways in which Esther and Vince are marginalized because of their participation in minority religious groups. is marginalization impacts their identity development, engagement, and willingness to participate in academic and social activities with their peers. In this chapter, we provide an overview of issues faced by students from minority religious groups. We explore the historical roots of present issues and the current climate for religious minority students on various campuses. We ground the chapter in relevant theories that further enable an understanding of the issues students face because of their minority religious status. Finally, we introduce concrete suggestions for creating a welcoming and supportive campus environment for these students. Before delving into the unique challenges with which students from religious minority groups contend, it is important to understand historical inuences that have led to the marginalization of these students in higher education. We then use this history to describe the current campus climate for religious minority students and the needs of this particular population.
