Institute impact — Program is prominent part of student life at U.

According to Gunnerson, each university takes on a "spirit of place," and a committee by the same name at the university institute tries to cultivate a unique atmosphere. The committee's responsibilities include providing snacks for students ("Food is the soul of a young adult," Gunnerson says) and decorating the building to help visitors feel welcome. There are bowls of candy spread throughout the institute, and two large red banners with the University of Utah drum and feather logo hang from the ceiling.

The environment is unmistakably Utah.

Gunnerson, who acknowledges that atmosphere is a "big deal" for him personally, said the ideal is to create a place where students of all faiths can feel accepted, socialize with those who have similar standards and supplement their university education with a spiritual education. He wants the institute to be one of the locations where students choose to be when not in class.

"I'm trying to create an atmosphere here where this is kind of the Union Building No. 2," said Gunnerson, referring to the student building on the university campus.

Inviting elements are everywhere, from wireless Internet to racks of basketballs in the cultural hall. There's a game room and even a deli that operates during lunch hours.

Jillian Olsen, the interchapter president of the Lambda Delta Sigma sorority, suggested that for a commuter school like the University of Utah, the institute building can help promote unity.

"They feel like they're a part of an actual campus and feel like they have a place," said Olsen, who is from Murray and graduated in May with a degree in nursing. "It's easy to feel lost in 20,000 people."

Gunnerson said he's spoken with parents who were devastated by their child not being accepted into BYU, wondering if the U. will provide a positive environment for an LDS student. His reaction? He simply smiles, knowing that the institute will provide a "safe place" for their son or daughter.

"I think at times, people don't know that, even within our own community," he said.

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The positive impact of the institute appears to extend onto campus and subsequently into the lives of students.

Gunnerson said he's never known of a time when there was a closer relationship between the institute of religion and the university.

"Even though we are not the university, we feel part of the university community," said Gunnerson, who also attended the U. as a student. "We, of course, must maintain our autonomy as a separate organization, but we want a close relationship."