ABSTRACT

Purpose The discourse surrounding the application of religious moderation on campuses in Indonesia has often been limited to mere socialization efforts. However, fostering moderate attitudes requires more than just disseminating information; it demands an encouragement of appreciation and internalization. This study seeks to address the need for a deeper understanding of how religious moderation can be implemented sustainably in a campus setting, with a focus on STAI Al-Falah Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan. Methodology. The research adopts a qualitative, exploratory approach to identifying a new model for implementing religious moderation using George Homans' Social Exchange Theory as a framework. Findings. The findings reveal that STAI Al-Falah promotes moderate Islamic values through four educational pillars: tawassuth (moderation), tawazun (balance), ta’adul (justice), and tasamuh (tolerance). These pillars are integrated into the campus climate and the classroom learning system. The implementation model emphasizes the principles of reciprocity, where even small rewards are used to encourage adherence to these values. By fostering a culture of appreciation, the campus community is motivated to internalize and practice these principles, which form the core of the institution’s educational vision. Implications for research and practice. This research presents a new model for creating a moderate Islamic environment, particularly in Islamic higher education institutions in Indonesia. Future research should aim to refine and expand upon the Social Exchange model for applying Islamic moderation, as exemplified by STAI Al-Falah Banjarbaru.