Chapel attendance petitions

*The deadline for Spring 2024 attendance petition consideration was February 16, 2024 and we are no longer receiving requests for exemption or reduction.

Petitions Overview

Chapel Attendance Petitions must be submitted using the form in Self-Service under the Student tab.

Final determinations on Chapel Attendance Petitions may not be made until after the final day to drop classes as this can affect the outcome of our determination.

When your petition has been processed, you will receive an e-mail from our office alerting you to the final decision. If you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Please note: A new chapel attendance petition must be filed with Messiah Campus Ministries for each semester the student is eligible for an exemption.

Students may submit a Chapel Attendance Petition for any of the following reasons listed below:

Academic

Students with a semester-long academic internship, field experience, clinical, etc. that directly and consistently conflicts with chapel programming may submit an attendance petition. If your experience is organized by a specific academic office, the director of that program will submit a list of names of students eligible for exemption at the beginning of each semester in which case an individual student petition is not necessary. Check with your specific academic department for more details.

Off-Campus Work 

Students with an off-campus job that requires them to work 25 or more hours per week may submit an attendance petition. Petitions must include the name and email or contact number of the supervisor. Petitions without this information will not be processed. On-campus student employment does not qualify for a chapel exemption.

Parenting Obligations

Students who are also parents/legal guardians may submit an attendance petition. Babysitting (such as, for siblings or local churches) does not count for exemption. 

Medical/Emergency

Students who experience a medical or personal issue that requires ongoing treatment or must take a leave of absence that is longer than two weeks may submit an attendance petition. These will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A student will not be excused from chapel for a one-time illness or doctor's appointment.

All medical/emergency petitions must be accompanied by a note from a physician, counselor or the Engle Center for Health and Counseling.