Chapel

It is the policy of the University that all undergraduate students be encouraged to attend regularly scheduled chapel/convocation services.  Such attendance encourages a sense of community, and makes the student aware of issues relevant both to the student and the world outside the University.  

1. Place and time of chapel/convocation services.  Unless otherwise indicated by the University, chapel/convocations are held at the Swayne Auditorium and at a time set by the University.

2. Attendance recording.  Student ID cards must be scanned as students enter and exit chapel to receive proper credit. Failure to bring a working ID card will result in a loss of credit. Broken or lost ID cards can be replaced in Media Services, Wiley Learning Center.  Students who anticipate that they cannot comply with requirements regarding chapel attendance should contact the Office of Student Development to apply for a reduction. 

3. Late arrivals.  Students entering a chapel/convocation no less than 10 minutes late may still scan in. Three late-arrivals are counted as one absence.   

4. Standard attendance requirements.  Full-time undergraduate students are required to attend 32 chapel/convocations per semester; part time undergraduate students must attend 14.

5. Exceptions to standard attendance requirements.    Exceptions to standard attendance requirements for chapel/convocation attendance may be granted by the University, upon the student’s timely submission to the Office of Student Development, in the following cases:

Attendance requirements for students with full-time outside employment (greater than 35 hours per week), or for students who are parents of children under 12, will be reduced to 14 chapel/convocation services per semester.

Attendance requirements for students who turn 25 prior to the current semester will be 14 chapel; the requirement for students who turn 30 prior to the current semester will be 0. 

Attendance requirements for students with part-time outside employment (25-35 hours per week) will be reduced to 21 chapel/convocation services persemester. 

Attendance requirements for other students who (a) work on a regular basis, or (b) are involved in University related field experience or internship assignments, or (c) are involved in a University related trip, will be subject to determination by the Vice President of Student Development, upon submissionof a request for a chapel reduction (available in the Student Development Office).

Attendance requirements for part-time students will be reduced (part time students with 7-11 credits: 14 chapels/convocations required; part-time students with 0-6 credits: (no attendance required).

Attendance requirements for the graduating seniors for their final semester shall be 22 chapel/convocations.

All written requests for exceptions must be renewed each semester. Parents need to apply for a reduction at the beginning of each school year only.

6. Alternatives to chapel/convocation attendance.  The University believes that there are alternative community building options to attendance at chapel/convocation, which are identified by the Chaplain’s Office.  Twenty percent (20%) of a student’s attendance at chapel/convocations may be represented by these alternatives.  Students seeking alternative attendance should turn in an Alternative Chapel Card. 

7. Students not meeting chapel/convocation requirements.  Students who do not fulfill their chapel attendance requirements may be subject to the following actions, as determined by the Vice President of Student Development.   Failure to attend the required number of chapel/convocation services will result in a $10 fine for each missed service.   Failure to attend at least 50% of a student’s required chapels over the course of two semesters may result in the denial of enrollment for a period of one semester.  Students found to have falsified their chapel attendance, or to have participated in the falsification of the chapel attendance of another student, may face disciplinary consequences, including a $50.00 fine.  

Any issues regarding attendance must be resolved by the student with the Student Development Office before the last day of the semester. Students are responsible for tracking their progress in meeting their attendance requirement. 

NOTE: Students are responsible for tracking their progress in meeting their attendance requirement. Students may check their attendance records at my.nnu.edu and then click on Chapel Attendance Record.