As the 104th Summit is about to begin, many upperclassman are curious, if not angry, about the 10 credit cap on Chapel Forums.

Even though 10 credits is less than half of the potential number a student could receive by attending the Forums, the limitations are a good idea for the overall Summit experience.

The Chapel Office has striven to provide speakers and discussions throughout the year that pique student interest. As evidenced by the large turnout for TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie and a full amphitheater for Randy Harris, students are going along with it.

The purpose of Chapel is not only to let students earn their 55 required attendances, but also to come together as a community to edify God.

With the 10-credit cap, students who are merely going to Chapel to fulfill obligations won’t be as inclined to attend every event. This creates more room for students who are genuinely interested in the topics being discussed.

The speakers for this year’s Summit have been chosen not only for their accomplishments, but also for what they can tell young college students about how to impact the world today.

At the end of every semester the Chapel Office asks students to fill out a survey about how to improve or change the Chapel process – and the office does read them. Mark Lewis, assistant dean for Spiritual Life and Chapel Programs (more commonly known as the “Chapel Guy”) has a passion for creating an environment filled with great speakers and themes that students can identify with.

“Chapel’s an ongoing thing – ever growing and evolving just as culture is growing,” Lewis said. “The content stays the same because we’re discussing God. But as the world changes, the way we present Him and discuss His word has to adapt.”

If the Chapel planning office is putting so much effort into creating a community specifically for college-aged students to glorify God, we can put forth a little effort to go along with it. The loss of those 13 credits isn’t going to hamper anyone’s ability to meet the 55 minimum requirements.

If undergraduates are truly interested in every Forum, they are more than welcome and very much encouraged to attend. One of the goals of Chapel is to create a desire to learn and listen – and that is exactly what this 10-credit cap is doing.