Policies and Procedures

Spiritual Formation at ACU

Find important information about Spiritual Formation policies including requirements, exemption requests, expectations and more.
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Find important information about Spiritual Formation policies including requirements, exemption requests, expectations and more.

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Overview

Spiritual formation is vital to a student’s full ACU experience. The Spiritual Life Office and individual students are expected to work together to honor and maintain the integrity of this requirement. In an effort to do so in a meaningful way, the Spiritual Life Office provides a structure that is flexible and offers avenues for multiple expressions of worship. Students are equipped to explore and engage their spirituality as it relates to their relationship with God. A list of approved opportunities is offered on the Compass app or the Spiritual Formation Events Calendar.

With the introduction of the Compass App, many of the ways we talk about Spiritual Formation and student participation have changed. We encourage all students to familiarize themselves with the updated policies, requirements and language regarding participation in Spiritual Formation.

Requirement

Full-time* undergraduate students (under age of 25) are required to earn 500 Spiritual Formation points each semester.

A typical student would need to attend about 3-4 events/week for 15 weeks each semester to complete this requirement.

The university has allocated time for Spiritual Formation to aid students in meeting this requirement.

  • Monday-Friday | 11-11:30 a.m.
    This period of time is reserved for Spiritual Formation events at ACU.
  • Alternate approved Spiritual Formation Events are offered each week at other times. These programs are approved in advance by the Spiritual Life Office and are listed on your Compass app and in the Spiritual Formation Events Calendar.

*Enrolled in 12 or more credit hours in a semester.

Spiritual Formation Events

Chapel Schedule

Chapel in Moody Coliseum

Monday, Wednesday and Friday | 11-11:30a.m.*

Immersed Chapel in Boone Theatre

Tuesday and Thursday | 11-11:30a.m.*

On the first day of classes (fall semester), the official Opening Assembly for the university takes the place of Chapel.

*Chapel will not take place on university holidays (Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Spring Break, Good Friday).

Record your Attendance

Attendance for Chapels hosted in Boone Theatre and Moody Coliseum are registered by tapping your student ID card on a card reader (found located around the venues)

  1. between 10:30 and when Chapel begins
    and
  2. after the Chapel has concluded.

You will not receive credit if you tap in late or tap out too early.

Students are responsible for monitoring their Spiritual Formation points through the Compass app or the myACU homepage.

Exemption Requests

Exemptions may be granted in certain situations. Students who meet the exemption criteria are welcome to apply. 

Criteria to Qualify for Exemption

  1. Students have a job (on or off campus) that prohibits them from attending Chapel during the 11 a.m. hour. 
  2. Students are volunteering (on or off campus) at a time that prohibits them from attending Chapel during the 11 a.m. hour. 
  3. Students have a doctor’s or therapist’s note excusing them from Chapel requirements based on mental/physical/emotional health.

Application for Exemption

Important Exemption Reminders

  1. The Spiritual Life Exemption online form must be completed.
  2. Students requesting an exemption must submit a new exemption request each semester.
  3. In order to receive the full number of exemptions, the exemption must be processed by fall break (fall semester), by spring break (spring semester) or within two weeks from the start date of any reason given for the exemption.
  4. Students must submit the required documentation/evidence of the reason for the exemption (a letter from the new employer on company letterhead, doctor’s note, etc.)
  5. Failure to submit an exemption request by the appropriate deadline may result in a student’s failure to earn enough points for the semester.
  6. Approved exemption requests received by the deadline of the semester will be given exemption points if they are approved, bringing them closer to the required 500 points.
  7. A student who is approved for a five-day-per-week exemption will still be required to earn 130 points (equivalent to attending 13 Chapels).

Chapel Accountability Policy

Upon completion of each semester, students who have not attained 500 Spiritual Formation points for their first time, will have committed a Chapel Violation. If this is not the student’s first time failing to attain the required points, then the student receives Chapel Probation.

Students with Chapel Violation will be required to:

  1. sign a Chapel Violation Contract;
  2. attend a Spiritual Life Town Hall Meeting during the first week of school the following semester;
  3. earn 500 Spiritual Formation points in their next semester.

Complete Chapel Violation canvas course by Fall Break during the fall semester and Spring Break during the Spring Semester. Failure to complete the canvas course will result in being placed on Chapel Probation for the following semester.

A student who does not complete all three of these items, or fails to achieve 500 Spiritual Formation points in any future semester, will be placed on Chapel Probation.

Students on Chapel Probation will be required to:

  1. Sign a Chapel Probation Contract;
  2. Attend a Spiritual Life Chapel Probation Town Hall Meeting during the second week of school;
  3. Earn 500 Spiritual Formation points in their next semester.

Complete Chapel Probation canvas course by Fall Break during the fall semester and Spring Break during the Spring Semester. Failure to complete the canvas course will result in being placed on Chapel Conduct Probation for the following semester.

In addition to being on Chapel Probation, a student will not be able to participate in the following activities:

  • Sing Song
  • Study Abroad
  • Leadership Positions in the following areas:
    ○ Student Productions
    ○ Student Organizations
    ○ Sororities or Fraternities
    ○ Student Leadership Roles

Students can apply for an appeal if unforeseen circumstances such as family and medical emergencies keep them from their requirements.

A student who does not complete all three required actions, or fails to achieve 500 Spiritual Formation points in any future semester, will be referred to the dean of students, will be placed on Conduct Probation, and will be required to fulfill all requirements of probation or risk being suspended from the university.

Students on Conduct Probation will be required to:

  1. Sign a Conduct Probation Contract;
  2. Attend a Conduct Probation Town Hall Meeting during the third week of school;
  3. Earn 500 Spiritual Formation points in their next semester.

In addition to being on Conduct Probation, a student will not be able to participate in the following areas:

  • Sing Song
  • Homecoming Parade and organization breakfasts/events
  • Study Abroad
  • Intramural Sports
  • Leadership positions in the following areas:
    • Student Productions
    • Student Organizations
    • Sororities or Fraternities

Students placed on Conduct Probation can appeal the decision to the vice president for student life.

CONTACT US

Students who have questions or concerns regarding their point balance are encouraged to contact us or visit the Spiritual Formation/Chapel Office.

Phone: (325) 674-2407
Email: chapel@acu.edu
Location: McGlothlin Campus Center, Room 42 (lower level)

Spiritual Formation Opportunities

The university and its Board of Trustees desire that Spiritual Formation events be a significant part of students’ educational experiences while attending ACU and have prioritized daily opportunities for students. For more information about all of the opportunities visit our Spiritual Formation  homepage.

Spiritual Formation Homepage

Small Group Chapels

Small group Chapels of all sizes and interests are available.

  • Tuesday-Friday | 11-11:30 a.m.
  • Any day of the week outside of the 11 a.m. hour.

A detailed list of these events can be found on your Compass app or the SFE Calendar. You can receive credit for these by scanning a QR code provided by the leader of that Chapel with your Compass app.

Community Groups

Community Groups meet at different times throughout the week so as to fit into student’s schedules. The theme each fall is Life with Jesus which is followed in the spring by Life Together.

If you are interested in joining a community group please email us at smallgroupchapels@acu.edu. You can receive credit for these meetings by scanning a QR code provided by the leader of that group with your Compass app.