How Bocconi Supports Cultural and Religious Diversity

ACADEMIC CALENDAR, STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS AND FOOD SERVICES ARE CHANGING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A COMMUNITY OF ABOUT EIGHTY NATIONALITIES

The protection of cultural and religious identities in the Bocconi community is becoming increasingly important in a university that hosts students from 80 countries around the world, for a total of 3,200 people. “In the last few months we have worked along three lines", says Rector Gianmario Verona, "the academic calendar, student associations and food services. The constant expansion of demand from abroad has led us to study the solutions already adopted in the most advanced international realities and to intervene".
 
Since the current academic year, if one of the days of graduation sessions or commencement ceremonies is a religious holiday that renders participation impossible, students can ask to be placed on a different day. For the coming year, an academic calendar is being prepared which will avoid (as far as possible) to set up exams and graduation sessions during major religious holidays.
 
Cultural and religious associations are welcome. Their establishment is encouraged and many national associations of students are already active. The use of university spaces by these associations for events that promote their cultural identity is also encouraged, while the Rettoria S. Ferdinando premises are promoted as multi-religious spaces.
 
Companies providing food services on the campus have been made aware of the need to ensure, every day, menus respectful of religious traditions, and the same is true for catering at conferences, events and seminars. Finally, the students' You@B app has been enriched with a feature that lists all the ingredients of the dishes offered, day by day, in the campus canteens, bars and restaurant.
 
Details of the initiatives are available clicking here.

by Fabio Todesco