Belonging and Social Class at a Religious University: Can Discussions of Religion and Purpose Close the Gap?

Sense of belonging is important in higher education. Unfortunately, sense of belonging is not evenly experienced by all college students. Using a theoretical framework based on the Culturally Engaging Campus Environment model, we examine the influence of social class and discussions of religion/spirituality (in class, with faculty, and with peers) on students’ sense of belonging at a religious university in the U.S. South. Regression analyses in a survey of seniors reveal that lower- and working-class students feel less belonging at the university, but occasional discussions with faculty on the meaning and the purpose of life enhance belonging for these students.