Disruptive students denied Chapel credit
Brendan Block
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
Pages in the student handbook covering Chapel Behavior were often overlooked until Jan. 26.
For the first time, Southwest Baptist students are escorted out of Chapel for being disruptive and using electronic devices.
"We have an expectation for students already regarding maturity and its common courtesy to engage in listening to speakers," said Dean of Students Rob Harris. "It seemed apparent from last semester that was not occurring."
Last semester, multiple students brought their concerns with the disruptions of blaring headphones and loud conversations during Chapel to Harris' attention.
At least two of the Chapel speakers last semester told the University that ours was one of their worst audiences.
"We automatically expected the students to have courtesy not only to the speaker but the individuals sitting around them as well," said Harris. "It's difficult not to pay attention to headphones in someone's ear if you can hear the music five or six seats away."
Harris emphasizes Chapel is a time for God, a moment of time during the week to focus our attention on the Lord. It's a time to seek help in life's challenges and have community worship.
Students only need to attend 23 out of the 40 opportunities given for Chapel credit this semester, hardly a rigid standard according to Harris.
Sophomore Tim Jackson sees the benefits of behaving in Chapel as giving speakers a better impression of SBU.
"Most of the speakers that come now will feel more respected and want to come speak here," said Jackson. "Instead of speaking to himself, the speaker is actually listened to."
Freshman Leslie Crouse was following speaker Emilio Ramos message on her iPod's Bible application. She described her situation as one of the inevitable unfair instances that will come up in applying the rules.
"I was told to put it away and pay attention," said Crouse. "It shows an imperfection to the rules in that my iPod was helping me follow along."
For the first time, Southwest Baptist students are escorted out of Chapel for being disruptive and using electronic devices.
"We have an expectation for students already regarding maturity and its common courtesy to engage in listening to speakers," said Dean of Students Rob Harris. "It seemed apparent from last semester that was not occurring."
Last semester, multiple students brought their concerns with the disruptions of blaring headphones and loud conversations during Chapel to Harris' attention.
At least two of the Chapel speakers last semester told the University that ours was one of their worst audiences.
"We automatically expected the students to have courtesy not only to the speaker but the individuals sitting around them as well," said Harris. "It's difficult not to pay attention to headphones in someone's ear if you can hear the music five or six seats away."
Harris emphasizes Chapel is a time for God, a moment of time during the week to focus our attention on the Lord. It's a time to seek help in life's challenges and have community worship.
Students only need to attend 23 out of the 40 opportunities given for Chapel credit this semester, hardly a rigid standard according to Harris.
Sophomore Tim Jackson sees the benefits of behaving in Chapel as giving speakers a better impression of SBU.
"Most of the speakers that come now will feel more respected and want to come speak here," said Jackson. "Instead of speaking to himself, the speaker is actually listened to."
Freshman Leslie Crouse was following speaker Emilio Ramos message on her iPod's Bible application. She described her situation as one of the inevitable unfair instances that will come up in applying the rules.
"I was told to put it away and pay attention," said Crouse. "It shows an imperfection to the rules in that my iPod was helping me follow along."
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