Chapel Attendance Policy

Your Spiritual Development

The uniqueness of a college like Emmanuel is our focus on the whole person: body, mind, and soul. The soul is largely ignored by modern educational systems, but we believe it is the most important aspect of the human life. Therefore, we seek to create an environment that nourishes the soul and encourages students to be a community of authentic followers of Christ. Regular worship and ministry experiences contribute to growth and spiritual formation. That is why we hold weekly chapel services which provide vibrant and inclusive ways for students to build biblical views of God, self, and others. Tending to the soul shapes your destiny. Our intention is that you reach your potential in life through the conscientious development of your body, mind, and soul.

Chapel Experiences sponsored by the College:

• Tuesday chapel service, 11:00 AM (required of all students)
• Wednesday Night chapel service, 7:30 PM (encouraged but not required)
• Thursday Oasis chapel service, 11:00 AM (required of all SCM students)

Spiritual Life Credits

• There are 15 chapel services during fall semester (2 on Friday, 13 on Tuesday).
• Students earn 1 chapel credit for each chapel service attended.
• Students must accumulate 12 spiritual life credits during the fall semester.
• To record attendance, students will use the EC App to scan a QR code created for each individual chapel service. Open the EC App, click on the QR code icon in the upper left of the screen and scan the QR code. A help desk will be staffed at the back of the auditorium for those who have challenges recording attendance.
• Students may be absent 3 times and still accumulate 12 points.
• Chapel absences may be redeemed or made-up by accumulating additional spiritual life credits by attending optional chapel service on Wednesday nights or the Oasis chapel service on Thursday mornings. Attending an optional chapel service earns 1 spiritual life credit. Only 4 absences may be redeemed or made-up. To redeem or make-up a chapel absence, students will use the EC App to scan a QR code designated for making up absences when they attend a Wednesday evening or Thursday morning chapel service.
• After the third absence, students will be suspended from participating in co-curricular activities for 7 days beginning on the Monday following the absence. Co-curricular activities include clubs, organizations, intramurals, and intercollegiate practice and competition. If the absence is redeemed in the same week by attending an optional chapel service and earning an additional spiritual life credit, the suspension in the following week from co-curricular activities will be lifted.
• Students who fail to accumulate 12 spiritual life credits in the fall semester will pay a fine of $25 for each credit under the required minimum. If fines are not paid by the first day of class in the next semester, the student’s schedule of classes will be cancelled, and the student may not attend classes until fines are paid. After fines are paid, a registration fee of $50 will be charged to reinstate the schedule of classes.

Student Engagement in Chapel

• Students are expected to engage in chapel by paying attention and responding to discussions appropriately.
• Students should not text, email, use social media, sleep or otherwise be disengaged during chapel.
• Students who are assigned to an online chapel session should adjust their cameras to show their faces fully so that it reveals engagement in the online chapel session.

Are any absences excused?

• There are no excused absences. A student may miss 3 chapels without penalty which would include absences for sickness, doctor appointments, travel, etc.
• Absences may be redeemed by following the process detailed above regarding spiritual life credits.

Chapel Exemptions

• Education majors who are student teaching are exempt from attending chapel; however, they must notify Sherri Carey in the Office of Student Development.
• Exemptions are not granted for work because work schedules are expected to be arranged to avoid conflict with the chapel hour.
• Dual enrollment students are exempt from attending chapel.
• Part-time students are exempt from attending chapel.
• Students with extenuating circumstances may consult with Sherri Carey in the Office of Student Development.

Notification of Chapel Absences

1st Chapel absence

• An email will be sent to inform the student of the first absence and to remind the student of chapel attendance requirements.

2nd Chapel absence

• An email will be sent to inform the student of the second absence and to remind the student of chapel attendance requirements.
• An email will be sent to inform co-curricular sponsors, such as coaches, club sponsors, ministry leaders or other co-curricular advisors, to inform them that two more absences by the student will result in a 7-day suspension from co-curricular activities.

3rd Chapel absence

• An email will be sent to inform the student of the third absence and to notify the student that one more absence will result in suspension from co-curricular activities for 7 days beginning on the Monday following the absence unless an additional spiritual life credit is earned by attending an optional chapel service.
• An email will be sent to inform co-curricular sponsors, such as coaches, club sponsors, ministry leaders or other co-curricular advisors, to inform them that one more absence by the student will result in a 7-day suspension from co-curricular activities.

4th Chapel absence

• An email will be sent to inform the student of the fourth absence and to notify the student that he or she is not permitted to participate in co-curricular activities for the next 7 days beginning on the Monday following the absence unless an additional spiritual life credit is earned by attending an optional chapel service.
• An email will be sent to inform co-curricular sponsors, such as coaches, club sponsors, ministry leaders or other co-curricular advisors, to notify inform them that the student has been suspended from co-curricular activities for 7 days beginning on the Monday following the absence unless the student earns an additional spiritual life credit by attending an optional chapel service.
• The student will be required to meet with Pastor Chris, Mandrake Miller, Tres Ward, or Kirk McConnell to discuss the chapel service absences, to explain the suspension from co-curricular activities, and to remind the student of the importance of chapel and the College’s commitment to the spiritual development of the individual.