The Centennial Celebration has come to a close; a year of celebration has taken place. We have spent a year of reflection looking at the past 100 years. We have looked at traditions that ACU students look at and participate in with pride.

We have reaffirmed what we like, but we have not looked at what we do not like.

By far, the largest point of conflict at ACU is Chapel. Once a day, for 55 days, we enter the doors of Moody and sit for 30 minutes listening to Chapel speakers or Chapel attendants. It is supposed to be a time of reflection, but it is just a 27 hour chore for many students.

I am actually writing this from Chapel because I have heard this same speech every year that I have been here. This will be my fourth time to hear this speech.

I know that freshmen have not heard these speakers before, but they will be listening to them for the rest of their time in college. It gets to the point that most students read, play on cell phones, study, sleep or just flat-out talk to their friends during chapel.

We all know that at some point, we are going to get chastised for being too loud and disrespectful in Chapel. I think it is a little disrespectful on ACU’s part to invite speakers knowing what is going to happen. If Chapel was not mandatory, or at least cut back on required attendance, the speakers we invite could get the respect that they deserve for taking time from their lives to come speak to an attentive group of students.

Reduction of Chapel will probably never happen. It is rooted in our history and our beliefs. After 100 years, we should at least reassess Chapel with regards to the current and future generations of students.

— Richard Keker, senior accounting major