If you were to look at the back of the floor during Chapel, it would appear Chapel attendance has outgrown the more than 5,000 seats Moody Coliseum has to offer. More than 50 people, both students and faculty, during a normal Chapel service will congregate near the rear exits.
One problem: plenty of seats are available.
With about 75 people lining the back of Moody, the two rear exits quickly become overcrowded for several minutes once Chapel is dismissed. This occurs even when many people are in no hurry to leave Chapel-many waiting until the crowd has thinned out some.
Imagine the potential logjam and time it would take to clear out the floor of Moody should something like a fire occur as every person would leave as quickly as possible. These people loitering in the back create an unnecessary burden under normal circumstances in Chapel; if an emergency were to occur, it becomes not only annoying, but dangerous as well.
Judging by the number of people who get up and walk down to the exits before Chapel is over, many of these people who haven’t found a seat are probably looking for a quit exit from Moody without having to get up and walk out quite so early.
If getting out of Chapel five minutes before most people is that important, arrive at Chapel on time, find a seat next to an exit or sit close to an exit that fewer people use. This way, those who wish to leave immediately have quick access to an exit, but two exits aren’t unnecessarily overcrowded, causing a roadblock that costs everyone time.
Maybe a few of these people who crowd the back aren’t looking for a quick escape; they simply arrive late and don’t wish to disturb the current mood of Chapel.
It makes sense to respect whatever is happening, especially during times such as scripture readings or prayers when everyone is quiet and trying to listen. It doesn’t make sense to stay parked at the back when a more appropriate time to move arises, such as when everyone is standing anyway during the first several songs.
Respect what is happening in Chapel; then move along and find a seat you can be happy with for the duration of Chapel.
