On Nov. 1, the Interfaith Chaplaincy at Brandeis University began the process of welcoming Vaishali Gupta onto the staff to serve as the University's first Hindu adviser since the Chaplaincy was founded in 1955. Rev. Walter Cuenin, who has been actively searching for someone to fill the position for the past three years, directed the initiative in response to student requests for an expansion of religious resources and developments in the diverse religious makeup of the University. He began meeting with Gupta about a month ago.

Cuenin, the other chaplains, Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel, Dean of Students Jamele Adams and student representatives from Namaskar, the Association for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, all agreed that Gupta would make a great addition to the University community in a time when the Hindu population on campus is expanding.

"It's not your father's Brandeis," Cuenin said in an interview with the Justice. "I can see that religious diversity on campus is different than it originally was. Other traditions need to be validated," added Cuenin.

The chapels at Brandeis allow Jewish and Christian students access to places of worship, while Muslim services are available to students in the Usdan Student Center's International Lounge. Up until recently, the only campus resource for Hindu, Jain and Sikh students has been the student-run association Namaskar.

"Non-Abrahamic religions aren't very talked about on this campus and from what my experience has been, not a lot of people know about them," Sharada Sanduga '14, president of Namaskar, said in an interview with the Justice.

When asked about student awareness of Hinduism, Cuenin chuckled and responded "Low. There's some awareness but not a great extent and I'd include myself in that."

Adams noted that he expects Gupta to bring more multiculturalism to the community and expand students' knowledge of different religions and cultures.

"It's about a growing understanding," said Adams in an interview with the Justice. "We're all in this community together and this is an opportunity to do better together."

With about 100 attendees at this past week's Diwali festival and approximately 500 students present at last year's Holi celebration, the Hindu population on campus is significant enough to warrant a staff leader, according to Sanduga.

"It was difficult for us to organize events with the academic load ... We were a student run organization and with, I believe, an increase in Hindu students, we were getting to the point where it was necessary to bring somebody on," she said.

In response to student demands, the administration and Cuenin began the search for a Hindu adviser. "There were a number of students that had approached the chaplaincy about two years ago. So, this has been a work in progress," said Adams. He also revealed the University has only acted recently to hire Gupta due to previous lack of funds.

Although she has only been on campus for a few weeks, Gupta has already involved herself in campus activities.

At last week's Diwali festival, Gupta was present and active, introducing herself to the students, explaining the significance of the holiday and leading students in prayer.

"She's only recently been hired so it was really wonderful that she was so willing to lend a hand," said Sanduga.

Gupta wrote in an email to the Justice that she hopes to further involve herself with the Brandeis community and expose students to Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism through trips to temples. In particular, Cuenin said that she might plan a field trip to Sri Lakshmi Temple, a Hindu temple located in Ashland, Mass.

Additionally, Gupta will lead weekly prayer meetings with students and plans on handling the preparations for Hindu celebrations according to Cuenin. All students are welcome to attend and participate in communal prayer and discussion on the students' religious needs.

In an email to the Justice, Gupta added "I also hope to invite speakers and scholars to raise awareness about Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhims through talks, lectures and discussions."

In addition to working as a part-time Hindu advisor for Brandeis, "[Gupta] is also a part-time chaplain at Wellesley College and does some work with Babson and Olin colleges," said the administration in an email to the faculty.

The email continued to explain that she grew up in a Hindu environment in Bombay, India before moving to Massachusetts in 2005. Throughout her developmental years she was exposed to a multitude of religions and appreciates the diversity of different faiths and cultures.

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, the chaplains will host a meet and greet from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at which Gupta will introduce herself to the students. The event is to take place near the chaplains' hallway in the Usdan Student Center.

"I would like [the students] to know that even though I might work on a regular basis with the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh students, I see myself as a pastoral support and a resource to everybody," wrote Gupta.