During the first few days of Chapel, Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, dean of Student Life, made an unexpected announcement: this semester, Chapel meetings could be worth two credits each. Students present for the announcement reacted in various fashions, including isolated applause, gasps and laughter.
Thompson immediately answered the question on everyone’s mind: what determines whether students receive one or two credits? The answer, in a few words: mind your manners and keep your mouth shut (except when singing, of course). Staff members of the Student Life office will attend Chapel and give Thompson the day’s conduct report. He will then decide whether or not to give an extra credit.
Alexander Pope warned against the dangers of over-analysis, but this new tactic reveals something about both the student body and the administration.
Administrators have bent over backward to appease the incessant grumbling against Chapel, yet the sentiment of dissatisfaction never seems to lose its momentum. Throughout the Fall 2008 semester, ACU required its students to earn 55 of 110 possible credits. Campus conversations materialized in an attempt to make Chapel more relevant and personal for students.
Yet after all this, some students still can’t bear to endure 30 minutes of Moody Chapel for several days a week. Far too often Mark Lewis has to stand at the podium in silence and wait for students to wrap-up their conversations. Regardless of the main speaker’s prestige or vibrancy, a low murmur rumbles continuously throughout the lesson. One might think an audience of people largely considered adults could remain quiet for a mere 30 minutes a day.
The office of Student Life understandably is stretched for ideas. Its most recent idea, however, shows promise.
Childish behavior merits parental-style discipline; so it is no surprise Student Life has offered the incentive of less Chapel attendance to the disruptive. On the surface, the offer might appear to acknowledge some kind of insufficiency in Chapel content. But if concerned parties take the bait, it could result in a much more enjoyable Chapel experience: those who want out will control themselves and obtain their minimum credits earlier in the semester. More Chapels will be left for those who desire a distraction-free environment.
And who knows. If those who typically ignore what’s going on in Chapel stop talking for a moment, they might discover something worth their attention.
