The Student Development Office will use a new mobile app called Altimeter to track Chapel credits, now called Quest credits.
Students can search “Altimeter Software” in the app store and download the 12.8 megabyte app. After logging in with their student username and password, they will see a gauge with the number of credits they have earned and the number they need. Dr. Jan Meyer, director of spiritual formation, and Veronica Whitt, coordinator of spiritual formation programs, said they will continue working on the app’s technical issues so students may experience problems with the app during the first few weeks of school.
“We’ve come across a couple of glitches,” Whitt said. “We’re working really closely with the development team at OC.”
Developed by students at Oklahoma Christian University, the app lists all Quest events, including Moody Chapels and small group events. Students can add events to their own personalized schedule on the app and check in to small group events from the app.
“Long term, that’s how we’re wanting it to work so we don’t have to worry about manually putting in students one-by-one from paper time-sheets,” Whitt said. “It will also give them a live-time update of their Chapel credits so they can keep better track of how many credits they’re making.”
Students without mobile phones can access the Altimeter software online. Faculty sponsors can fill out a Quest event application form at the same site to set up their events. Meyer and Whitt will start training sessions for faculty sponsors next week. They have not determined an official launch date but said they hope to have the app tested and functioning for small group events by the third week of the semester. Quest events in Moody, Cullen Auditorium and Chapel on the Hill will continue to use card swipes, while small group events will take attendance through the app.
“Our slogan is ‘equipping students for a Christ-centered journey,'” Whitt said. “What we’re trying to do with spiritual formation is get students to look at it as a journey. Kind of rebranding a little bit.”
Whitt, a 2012 graduate and former resident assistant at University Park, started Aug. 2 in a newly created reduced full time position. Called the “Quest Queen” by Meyer, Whitt coordinates all spiritual formation events for faculty sponsors and students.
Meyer said when small group events were called Spiritual Formation Event credits last year, between 150 and 200 SFE events took place each week. Now events will be split into categories including career and calling, service, small group Chapel, spiritual practices and worship. Students who perform weekly service activities and apply for Faith in Action or service credits will automatically get 15 Quest credits.
Students can still apply online for exemptions if they work during 11 a.m. Chapel or live off-campus and don’t have classes until after 11 a.m. Their exemptions will go into effect after their exemption is approved, so Meyer said students should fill out the form within the next two weeks.
“Busyness is not an excuse for not going to Chapel,” Meyer said. “As a student at ACU, you’re asked to prioritize, especially when the time is built into the schedule.”
