Going to BYU athletics events, joining clubs and playing intramural sports rank high on connection; devotionals rank even higher
A growing body of research shows that a student’s sense of belonging can have a significant positive impact on academic performance, retention and mental health. With that in mind, professors at BYU and Texas A&M recently asked BYU students how they anticipated their experiences on campus would impact their feelings of connectedness to BYU.
While the top-ranking activity was playing for a BYU athletic team, something only a few students have the privilege to do, the next thing on the list was something available to every BYU student: attending weekly campus devotionals.
“I know the reason that we have devotionals, but for students to recognize that … it was surprising in a good way that students saw them as important in connecting them to BYU,” said Brian Hill, a BYU professor of experience design and management. “There’s something really cool about gathering together as a whole university. We share our belief system and we know we’re brothers and sisters and I think there’s something really powerful in devotionals.”
Devotionals have been a campus tradition since the very beginning of BYU — you can look up Karl Maesar’s devotional speech from 1891 on speeches.byu.edu — but they’ve grown in consistency and attendance. Now an average of 7,000 students and faculty flock to the Marriott Center every Tuesday at 11:05 a.m.
One of the reasons I came to BYU was for the atmosphere, and devotionals definitely add to that. I think they help me feel connected to campus because I’ll go to them with friends. It’s a nice spiritually-enriching experience each week, whether it relates to your field of study or not.
For the study, Hill, fellow BYU professor Patti Freeman and Texas A&M colleague Gary Ellis analyzed 6,000 experiences from nearly 900 students enrolled in the experience design course, “Creating a Good Life.” Students reported their feeling of connectedness after participating in over 20 hours of experiences on campus — from student wellness classes and visiting art exhibits, to campus dining and BYU sporting events. They measured a student’s level of connection as the strength or weakness of their sense of belonging to the mission of the university.
They found that students who attend BYU devotionals experience the highest impact of connectedness as an attendee — higher than those participating in a club or intramurals, cheering as a BYU sports spectator, or connecting with a professor.
The research suggests that as students participate in engaging or immersive experiences, they are more likely to feel a sense of connection on campus. Freshman and sophomores who participate in such experiences were found to have a 2% higher retention rate than those who didn’t, meaning that 95% continued their studies at BYU for at least one year after the study, persisting toward graduation.
“The wonderful thing about devotionals and forums, in comparison to other experiences, is that they are open to all students,” Freeman said. “You don’t have to try out and be part of a team, perform with a group, or register for a class. All you have to do is be willing to set aside an hour each week and attend.”
Scott Tuley, a senior studying mechanical engineering, attends devotional each week. As a convert to the church, he was compelled to attend BYU for its commitment to incorporating the gospel in the classroom.
“One of the reasons I came to BYU was for the atmosphere, and devotionals definitely add to that,” Tuley said. “I think they help me feel connected to campus because I’ll go to them with friends. It’s a nice spiritually-enriching experience each week, whether it relates to your field of study or not.”
Leaders at BYU have long encouraged students to attend devotionals for the opportunity to pause and be spiritually strengthened. Authors said they strongly believe that devotional attendance certainly spiritually strengthens attendees, but their new study also adds some statistical heft to the idea that it also helps students feel a sense of belonging and connection.
“I hope that this will convince students that all of these experiences are really beneficial to them,” Hill said. “This is a way to enhance their BYU experience and help them feel more connected to the university.”
