Chapel Guidelines for Students

Chapel is a defining part of the daily Cedarville experience. Chapel helps to build a sense of community at Cedarville University by providing a shared experience of worship, biblical teaching, testimonies, community, and prayer. 

General Information

• All undergraduate students (including those living in Student Communities) taking more than six credit hours are required to attend daily chapel and scan in using their student ID card.
• ID scanners are active from 9:30–10:15 a.m. for tracking attendance.
• Unless approved by disability services, students are not permitted to be in the lobby or lounge spaces outside of the Jeremiah Chapel while chapel is in session.     
  
• Students are allowed seventeen chapel absences (17 skips) per semester to be used at their discretion. Absences beyond 17 not pre-approved through special arrangements will be assessed fines cumulatively at the end of the semester, according to the following schedule:  
  • 18 absences = $15
  • 23 total absences = $30
  • 28 total absences = $30 and an Official Warning
  • 33 total absences = $30 and Probation

Students who show a pattern of disregard for chapel may be asked not to return for the following semester.

Commuters/Off-Campus Student Chapel Expectations

• Commuter/off-campus students are expected to attend daily chapel.
• If you do not have classes before noon on a particular day, you are not required to attend chapel on those days. You are not automatically excused from chapel for these days and will need to submit a Special Arrangement at the beginning of each semester (see below).
• Commuter/off-campus students taking six (6) or fewer credit hours are not required to attend chapel. 
• Commuter/off-campus students are encouraged, but not required, to attend the morning and evening Fall Bible Conference and the GO Conference at the beginning of each semester. You are not automatically excused but will need to submit a "Special Arrangement".

Special Arrangements

• “Special Arrangements” are reductions in the chapel attendance requirement due to pre-scheduled and authorized commitments. Special Arrangements should be submitted within the first three weeks of each semester. The chapel attendance link in myCU allows you to do this with ease.
• University Related Absences: Absences for student teaching, clinicals, field experience, or any other University sponsored event must be submitted through your professor, staff, or coach. Faculty/advisee/student meetings or tests scheduled during the chapel hour are NOT excused absences.
• The special arrangement form is not to be used for individual days, such as sick, work, etc., but for on-going, pre-scheduled regular absences.
• Long Term Illness – Illness longer than five (5) consecutive days may be submitted for excuse through the Special Arrangements form.
• Setting Up a Special Arrangement: Go to the chapel attendance link in myCU. Go to the “Request Arrangement” link in the “Need a Special Arrangement?” section. Complete this form as thoroughly as possible and click “Submit”.
• If your Special Arrangement request is approved, the total number of skips that have been approved will be added to your total number of skips allowed.
• Please check your “Skip Summary” regularly to ensure that the total amount of “skips allowed” is accurate. It is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your personal chapel record is up-to-date.

Additional Accommodations

While we consider chapel a vital part of the Cedarville experience, we understand on rare occasions that special accommodations need to be made. Student will work with Disability Services for specific and personal accommodations.

Graduate Students and Chapel

Graduate students may benefit from Chapel through the shared experience of worship, biblical teaching, testimonies, community, and prayer. While attendance is not required for graduate students, certain programs may expect you to attend as communicated by your program advisor or clarified below. All graduate students are encouraged to participate by attending chapel or viewing online as time allows.

Questions

For additional assistance, please contact the Chapel Records office at chapel@cedarville.edu.