“Boycott The Chapel Audit:” An Open Letter From Woodward to the Student Body
Hello my friends.
For the first time on this blog, I write not as a humorist but as a fellow student. Like many of you, I was surprised, offended, and largely disappointed yesterday when I found out about the audit that occurred after chapel. (A chapel audit being the “check-out” list that was compiled after the service to be compared to the “check-in” at the beginning, designed to catch those students who checked in without actually attending chapel).
While not actually being present—nor being checked in—I nonetheless felt disrespected and a little ashamed of my school for such a petty act. What disappointed me even more was the attitudes I picked up on of many other students who talked about the audit, not in terms of it’s childishness or futility, but in terms of whether or not they got caught, or why they should have to go to chapel in the first place.
I will not say much about the morality of “slashing and dashing” or “who should or shouldn’t have gotten caught.”—such topics belong in another article. Instead, I only want to discuss the abject failure of North Central in creating a healthy chapel culture (as evidenced most effectively by a very unhealthy chapel audit), and why students have every right to feel cheated, patronized, and belittled by these recent actions.
The primary failure of the North Central chapel program is the lack of a positive chapel environment to which students actually want to attend. While I do believe programming has a big part to play in this problem (the humorous idiosycrasies of chapel culture are well documented on this blog) I think the bulk of the issue rests with us, the students. Simply put, we view chapel as something we have to do—a chore. Such an attitude is very evident even in our language (we don’t get to go chapel we have to go to chapel). Such a sour view of something inevitably creates a negative environment fueled by criticism. The results are:
1) students who don’t want to go chapel, so they don’t, and get fined for it,
2) students who don’t want to go to chapel, so they don’t, but sign in so they wont get fined, or
3) students who don’t want to go to chapel, but do go because they feel guilty, and spend the whole time sitting there thinking about how much they don’t want to go to chapel.
I would argue that such attitudes are unhealthy and cannot improve when ignored but only spread.
But while the issue rests with the students, I believe the institution is at fault for creating this culture with us via their policies. Even their language promotes negativity towards chapel (imagine what a change it would be to measure attendance by something positive like chapel goes and not chapel skips). The more the institution reinforces the idea of the necessity of our presence at chapel, it is inevitable that the student body will connotate the chapel as a place we have to instead of get to go to.
The time, energy, and resources wasted in order to conduct yesterday’s hopelessly arbitrary chapel audit is prime evidence for North Central’s failure to provide students with the necessary positive reinforcement to attend chapel.
Any psychology professor worth his books will tell you that negative reinforcement (even towards positive behavior) may be effective in the short term, but over the long term can create serious health problems in an individual. Likewise, any sociologist or historian could list off the failures of governments and institutions throughout history who repeatedly utilized “obey us or else” tactics.
Were it up to me, chapel would be 3 times per week and optional. Such a policy would guarantee a quality, celebratory program that was attended only by the people that really wanted to be there. But it is not up to me. And while I’ve had these thoughts for a long time, I’ve never had a proper platform to voice them, nor known an appropriate action to take to bring change. However, thanks to the Northern Plight, I know have both.
Should I ever be in another chapel service again that conducts an audit, I will not participate. This is not because I wish to “fight the system” or start some adolescent revolution. I simply refuse to continue to participate in a chapel policy system that inevitably creates cynicism and negativity on our campus.
It occurs to me now that if enough of you joined me in boycotting the chapel audit, we might taint their numbers enough to make their records unusable, but sabotage isn’t really my ultimate aim. I wont participate, even if I’m the only person who walks out those doors without giving my name for the second time. They can fine me if they wish, but that will only provide me with the opportunity to meet with someone in the institution to lodge a complaint and voice my opinion. I’m sorry, but these attitudes—and tactics that promote them—do not belong on our college campus.
Thank you for your time, and as always, be awesome.
Woodward
Woodward
Bernstein
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I like you.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Mandatory attendance makes attending chapel a chore rather than a celebration of Jesus.
I didn’t even go to chapel on Monday, so I missed out on all the fun anyways.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 12:49 am
Touché Woodward… touché.
I think chapel being filled with people that are “forced” to be there severely tampers with the spiritual atmosphere of those that are truly seeking God during the 11 o’ clock hour on campus. Granted, the argument could be made that, if someone is “diving into God,” they shouldn’t be hindered by the attitude of others.
The problem is that doing so requires a level of spiritual maturity (in my opinion). So, apart from one’s personal time with God… chapel is probably the second main source of spiritual growth for students on campus. So it’s a catch 22.
This isn’t the first I’ve heard of measuring chapel attendance in “goes” instead of skips. Psychologically, it makes complete sense. Student Life should actually do something about it… or does a petition have to go around the school?
Speaking of which, idea: petition.
The End.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 12:50 am
I just realized that I started two sentences in a row, with the word “so.”
Lame.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 12:53 am
If we have made worshipping our mighty, magnificent, holy, just, merciful, kind, loving, caring, beautiful, powerful, awesome God so boring that we have to enforce it, then all I know for certain is that something is wrong. Perhaps it requires a change in policy, or maybe just a change in us. Maybe we need fewer people talking about school politics and chapel attendance. Maybe we need a hunger and passion for God that is so desperate that our only problem with chapel attendance will be overcrowding.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 1:34 am
Abe, maybe the rigid format of chapel isn’t allowing such a move of the Holy Spirit? Maybe we have boxed God in by giving Him the same two songs done the same way every day timed out to a T?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 1:37 am
Abe Says: “Perhaps it requires a change in policy, or maybe just a change in us.”
Or maybe both. It isn’t just an NCU thing, it isn’t just a student thing, it is both….
On another note, I think we would be mistaken to think NCU was forward thinking enough to “Create” this atmosphere… Students created it and through REactions (not actions) NCU made it steadily worse, but in my opinion they were simply making policies to react to the spiraling downward of student attendance and commitment to daily chapels.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 1:38 am
race… are we really powerful enough to box in God to the point where His Spirit can’t move in those that are open to it? Wow… I didn’t think that was possible
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 2:01 am
How about a prayer movement and heart change?
How about we be willing to let God expand our “box”?
If we are willing, the Lord will move in. Then this wouldn’t me an issue and it would just fade into the background, and Christ would shine. We would have a “vival”. It starts in our hearts, students and faculty alike.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 10:16 am
Forgive me if I sounded like I was putting all responsibility squarely on the students. I agree with you, Hmmm, that it is an issue that must be addressed by both parties. Both parties have made some mistakes, like the staff penalizing people who do not attend (consider that if a church did this, we would say it was mismanaged, foolish, and cultish). Also, as students we have a responsibility to BE the church and corporately worship of our own accord. How many times has the chapel been completely cleared at 11:51? I do not care if the speaker sucked or the worship was repetitive; I have a responsibility to pursue God completely, even without the added momentum of a good service.
As for the format, Race, I partly agree with you. The hurried, rigid, fifty minute format is hardly a time to ask God to meet with us. We need something different. We need change. Will changing the format, however, change our own hearts? No, it would just give us a different system to complain about. We must deal simultaneously with both parties, drawing together to God as students while asking faculty to change the chapel policy to make room for us.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 10:19 am
Bravo, Woodward.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 11:23 am
Of course we are powerful enough to put God in a box. I have yet to see the Holy Spirit force himself onto someone who is unwilling.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 11:51 am
What about our own personal integrity? Didn’t we know the expectation of attending chapel (and the consequences of not attending chapel) before we signed-up for the NCU experience? What was communicated in Chapel (for those of us who WERE there!) was the importance of being people of integrity. Isn’t that what this whole experience is suppose to do . . . help us become people who are growing in integrity! If I’m not there (or I’m there with a bad attitude), then I’ve missed the point altogether. Believe me . . . I’ve been on BOTH sides! I have come to the point that I enjoy the opportunity to “get to go to chapel.” Yes, not everyday is a winner . . . but my attitude and reaction is what will make it a worthwhile time or a waste of time!
NCU is just doing what it said it would do . . . and what it is suppose to do!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Can an institute regulate personal integrity?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 1:45 pm
They can require it!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Requirements without regulation is like government without accountability!!!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 2:02 pm
race- I specified that God can’t be put in a box to the point where His Spirit can’t move IN THOSE THAT ARE WILLING. What I meant was that if the PEOPLE are willing, the INSTITUTION can’t keep the Spirit from His people no matter how crappy the service is.
Therefore it isn’t the institution we should be blaming, but our own open (or closed) hearts. God moves even in our imperfection, lack-luster attempts as worship, insecurities, and our just plain brokenness when we are simply OPEN to Him. In the same way we could have perfect seemingly moving chapels and if the people weren’t open to God’s Spirit moving- it won’t
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Ok, Hmmm.
Are we creating an atmosphere that enables people to press into God’s presence? I mean. . . really searching after the heart of God like it’s all that matters?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 4:00 pm
What would that atmosphere look like in your opinion?
I know the heart of leaders at NCU is wanting that. Speak to almost any of them and I’m pretty sure you’d find the same. But maybe they don’t know exactly what that would look like either. So speak up… what do you think that would look like when translated from an awesome idea to a concrete action.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 4:01 pm
…
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 4:01 pm
It’d be easier if we simply let the people who didn’t want to be there stay in bed. It’s their problem, let them deal with it.
Chapels would be better because everyone present would’ve chosen to be there.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Does it have to be either civil disobedience or malicious obedience? Why blame NCU? They are doing what they said they would do! It’s not a cult . . . or even a denomination . . . it’s a school in a consumer-oriented world! If the consumers (students) do not like the product, go else where! Perhaps some place that has less integrity and doesn’t hold anyone accountable for anything! What a country we live in!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 11:50 pm
“Be the change in the world you want to see.” - Mohandas Gandhi
I think he says it best. If you are annoyed at chapel checks, then first be a person of integrity and do not skip out; or perhaps practice civil disobedience and refuse to participate. If you truly believe it is unjust and must be changed, then follow your conscience to the end.
If you want to see us as a student body grow closer to God, then fast, pray, and seek Him, even if you are the only one at first. Do not blame the structure for everything. What kind of immature children have we become when we blame our ‘parents’ for not spoon-feeding us enough spirituality?
Feed yourself. Feed others. Be the change.
Trust me, you’ll have a much greater impact on the system with that than with complaints.
Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 12:29 am
Well…I’m just glad I’m graduating. Overall, I think that we have it pretty good, though; Oral Roberts University allows something outrageous like three skips for the whole semester (as I was told by a former student).
However, due to my hectic work schedule, I miss chapel at least twice every week, often times three times. Will NCU cut me some slack? Nope. Not at any age level, if I live on-campus.
I work so I can pay to be at North Central…so wouldn’t it make sense that I should go to work to make money? I have a day job - I miss chapel a lot. How can a Christian university tell me that I can’t skip chapel to work in order to stay at the Christian university? It’s the only way I (and other students) can afford to be here!
I wrote a fifteen page paper on how NCU oppresses the working students here and I was going to drop it on Dr. Anderson’s desk, but my father (who is much wiser than I am) said it wouldn’t do any good, and I know he’s right. The point is that in my case, NCU is punishing a student who pays their bills on time and has maintained a 3.4 GPA or higher throughout college…while the slackers here because of loans or their wealthy aunt Irma sleep in or play video games and nothing happens to them.
Yes, I’m a little bitter…in a nutshell, I agree with Woodward. You have my support in boycotting…etc.
Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 5:42 am
it’s real easy to give a fake ID number at the door, it’s not like the force you to present your ID.
for people who have to make a living (such as myself) 5 day a week chapel during the middle of the week is asinine. I have 20 hour days because i can’t work during chapel time. Apparently watching the crazy girl scream, take laps around the auditorium, and body check people to the ground in an effort to slay them in the spirit is more important than paying tuition.
Monday, March 17, 2008 at 12:52 am
I wonder if “crazy girl” reads the plight? I think not!
Friday, May 9, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Wow! You sure got a lot of response on this one. Making your relationship with God a chore is a consequence of mandatory chapel attendance.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 3:04 pm
you know what I completely forgot….that responsibility is completely subjective! God forbid that North Central expects their students to act like adults, being as though they are and actually follow through with their commitments and their word….say on a signed document like a college application?? Maybe before “quasi-revolting” as I dare not say “revolutionizing” as Woodward would be unhappy with that, maybe we should learn the value of responsibility and actually DO what we said we are going to do…wait, I think Jesus said something about that once.