Chapel services are held every Tuesday through Thursday, 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. and are an intentional and required part of our CIU educational program. Tuesday and Thursday chapels are designed for the entire university to gather together in evangelical unity as a diverse and multi-cultural community. Wednesday chapels are typically designed for segments of the community to meet together in Community Groups, with advisors or other assigned options. During special emphasis weeks and prayer days, the entire university gathers together as one group to further our purpose and core values as we focus on life-changing themes.
We strive for excellence in all that we do. Chapel attendance is at the heart of our CIU community and life experience and it is required in our academic structure.
Undergraduate students: All students enrolled in an undergraduate program are required to attend chapel Tuesday through Thursday (and Mondays or Fridays during Special Focus Weeks).
- Students taking six or more hours must enroll each semester in CHL 1000, a non-credit course required for graduation. Attendance is taken at chapels; students can keep track of it on Canvas.
- Students taking fewer than six hours are exempt but always welcome.
- Students employed during the chapel hour or off-campus students who have no classes before 1:00 p.m. may request a permanent chapel excuse. Instructions for submitting a request for a permanent chapel excuse can be found HERE. Permanent chapel excuses are issued on a semester-by-semester basis.
- Six chapel absences are designed to support your needs for medical and other appointments and unexpected things that alter your chapel attendance. Please try to schedule studying and other important activities outside of the chapel hour. Your chapel attendance is a deciding factor in your CHL 1000 course grade, influencing your graduation.
- Students are required to listen to every President’s chapel as well as the Chancellor’s chapel messages even if absent. Tuesday and Thursday chapel messages are recorded and may be heard at podcast.ciu.edu.