CHAPEL AND CHURCH ATTENDANCE POLICY -During the fall and spring semesters, chapel services are held every Wednesday and Friday at 10:55 a.m. No classes are in session during that period. All residents and full-time commuter students must attend both weekly chapel services. Part-time commuter students taking seven or more hours are required to attend chapel services once a week. Part-time students required to attend chapel have the option of attending on Wednesday or Friday. Students are expected to be in their seats by 10:50 a.m. The doors to the chapel will be closed just before the start of the service. Students leaving early must present their Student ID card to the appropriate staff person. Commuters and part-time students required to attend chapel must have their student ID and swipe in the proper card reader to be counted as present. Students must swipe in between 10:45 a.m. and no later than 11:05 a.m. to be counted present. Students swiping in before or after these designated times will be counted absent.
Chapel absences resulting from an emergency or illness must have an excuse submitted within 48 hours to the appropriate office on official letterhead or documentation. Residence hall residents must submit excuses to their respective Residence Hall Director; commuters and part-time students required to attend chapel submit excuses to the Student Development Office online: Chapel Excuse Form; and graduate students to the Dean of their graduate school. Seating assignments are made for all students required to attend chapel by block assignments at the beginning of each semester. Residential students receive their assignments through their residential advisor (RA), graduate students receive their assignments through their respective schools, and commuters and part-time students required to attend chapel receive their assignments from the Student Development Office. It is the responsibility of all students required to attend chapel to contact Student Development if they are unsure of their seating assignment.
During a chapel service, reading materials other than the Bible are not acceptable behavior. No studying, sleeping, food, or beverages are allowed during chapel services. Inappropriate use of laptops and cell phones is not permitted. Three unexcused absences result in the automatic cancellation of a student’s enrollment at the University. Graduate students who are allowed to reenroll must obtain an approved petition to do so from the Dean of their school; undergraduate residential students must obtain an approved petition from the Dean of Student Development; commuter students and part-time students required to attend chapel must obtain the approved petition from the Student Development Office. These students present the approval to reenroll to the Student Accounts Office and pay a $50 reinstatement fee. No appeal will be accepted if submitted after the next semester of enrollment (e.g., an appeal for the fall semester will not be accepted after the spring semester ends).
All students are encouraged to attend the church of their choice. ORU allows students to be responsible for their own church attendance and involvement. ORU deems church involvement fundamental and will encourage faithful church attendance by the entire university community. Occasionally, at the discretion of the ORU Administration, special seminars or spiritual revival services may be held. These meetings are required of students. Attendance will be taken, and absences will be treated as chapel absences.