History
During the 2013-2014 academic school year, the Campus Issues Committee within Student Government Association was tasked with researching student needs and formulating a solution to accommodate the diverse faith practices of the Wichita State community.
It was during the Fall semester of 2014 that concerns about the Chapel's accessibility were expressed that could prevent any structural renovations to SGA President Matthew Conklin by members of Physical Plant, Facilities Planning, and University Reservations. After meeting in the Chapel with key members of the University from Facilities Planning, Physical Plant, University Reservations, Global Faith in Action and Student Association for Interfaith Dialogue reached a consensus that the best action moving forward was removing all of the pews.
Later that semester, the 57th Session of Student Senate had passed R-57-006 Recognition of the Interfaith Prayer Space Initiative unanimously, clearly demonstrating the Senate's endorsement of proposal.
In Spring of 2015, Matthew Conklin met with President Bardo and Executive Director of Operations Andrew Schlapp. Mr. Schlapp explained several concerns with renovating the Chapel, particulary the perceived political risk to the University. Several recommendations to use areas within the RSC or Innovation Campus as an alternative are proposed by Mr. Schlapp and supported by President Bardo.
After a town hall meeting held in the Chapel to engage with campus constituents and local religious leaders representing diverse faith backgrounds, the consensus was that renovations were most preferred. It was on March 11, 2015 that the University Supreme Court convened a hearing to address a student petition concerning whether the chapel's current configuration prevents the religious practices of every student. The Court ruled that the Chapel violated the Student Bill of Rights and that there was not any actionable evidence that the University had been preventing renovations.
On March 17, 2015, Matthew Conklin submitted his "Requesting of University Action on the Interfaith Prayer Space Initiative" to Provost Vizzini, Wade Robinson, Andrew Schlapp and President Bardo. The request included signatures of approval from Jonathan Flesher of Campus Ministries, Reverend Sally C. Fahrenthold, and Gerald L. Durley of the NAACP.
President Bardo responded to above memo from President Conklin stating that as long as the basic structure of the Chapel is not changed, removing the pews should not present a problem. Vice President Wade Robinson tasked to reconstitute the Grace Memorial Chapel Use Committee.