- How is attendance counted?
- Who is in charge?
- What are behavior expectations?
- Why is attendance required?
- Who is required to attend?
- How many attendances are required?
- If I have questions about convocation attendance, where should I go?
- What happens if I don’t attend enough convocations or chapels?
- How do I propose a Wednesday convocation idea?
How is attendance counted?
For Wednesday chapels and convos, present your Goshen College I.D. card at the door when you exit the sanctuary. Scanning will take place before other events such as evening lectures that count for convo credit, so come early to allow time for this. Questions about attendance should be directed to the registrar’s office at registrar@goshen.edu.
Who is in charge?
A committee of faculty and student representatives including Chapel/Convocation Facilitator Breanna Nickel (breannajn@goshen.edu) and Campus Pastor Jen Shenk (jshenk@goshen.edu) coordinate convocation and chapel events, respectively. They welcome your suggestions and proposals at any time.
What are behavior expectations?
We encourage the same student behavior that professors expect in class. Honesty and respect should shape all that we do. Arrive promptly. Turn off all electronic devices. Give your attention to the speaker or performer. Be aware of how your behavior affects other students and faculty members in the room. Leave only after you are dismissed.
Why is attendance required?
Convocations and chapels are one way that we live out our core values of passionate learning, Christ-centeredness, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking, and servant leadership. As a small, faith-based institution, we value the time to gather as a community, and to listen and learn together. Attendance is part of the Goshen Core requirement just as it is for Goshen Core classes.
Who is required to attend?
Full-time students are required to attend a set number of the scheduled convocation or chapel events. Part-time students are encouraged to participate as possible. Students who have dependent children in the home, fifth-year seniors, and students living off-campus whose first class on Wednesday begins at 12:00 noon or later may be exempted from attendance. However, these exemptions must be requested through the registrar’s office at the beginning of each semester. Students with other reasons for a reduced requirement, such as an internship or clinical requirement, should ask their supervising professor to contact the registrar’s office. Exceptions will not be made for work schedules or occasional field trips.
How many attendances are required?
Attendance at 10 events is required each semester. A schedule of 10 a.m. Wednesday events and selected additional events that count for convo credit is available in the online campus calendar and posted on campus bulletin boards.
If I have questions about convocation attendance requirements, where should I go?
The registrar’s office handles all attendance matters. If you have a question about whether or not your attendance was counted, talk to the registrar’s office. If you are in an educational activity that regularly conflicts with convocation/chapel, you must have your instructor send the details to the registrar (registrar@goshen.edu). They will inform you of revised attendance requirements for the semester. Field trips and other occasional conflicts that involve only one convocation/chapel day per week will not alter your attendance requirements.
What happens if I don’t attend enough convocation events?
Convocation attendance is a Goshen Core graduation requirement, so deficits must be made up before the degree is conferred and diplomas are released. To make up attendance deficits in a semester you may attend extra events in subsequent semesters. To graduate, the deficit must be fewer than five. If the deficit is between 6 and 24, the student will be required to write an essay (1/2 page per deficiency). If the deficit is 25 or greater, an extra Goshen Core class, and a total of 123 hours, is required. Essay instructions and guidelines for selecting an extra Goshen Core class are available from the registrar (registrar@goshen.edu).
How do I propose a convocation idea?
Email your idea for convocation to the convo director. Email ideas for chapel to the campus pastor. Describe the event and the proposed time. All proposals are processed by the chapel/convo committee.