Chapel Attendance Policy

The foundational belief of Westmont College is that “Christ is pre-eminent in all things.” For this reason, the college community gathers three times a week to worship and enjoy God. Chapel attendance is mandatory to mainain enrollment. However, students may miss up to (but not exceeding) 12 chapels per semester. Additional chapels may only be excused for the following reasons:

  1. Severe medical conditions which temporarily affects chapel attendance. Condition must be verified in writing by an attending physician or by an email to our office from the campus physican.
  2. Family emergencies or unusual family occasions. Please come in to the Campus Pastor’s Office within a week of the requested absence.
  3. Students cleared by the Education Department to fulfill student teaching or observation assignments. Please note: You will not be cleared if the department has not given us prior notification.
  4. Students away from campus on an authorized academic field trip. Please note: You will not be cleared if the professor has not notified us.
  5. Athletic competition on recognized intercollegiate sports teams. Please note: You will not be cleared if the department has not notified us.
  6. Second semester seniors are not required to attend Chapel (but we hope you will!).
  7. Students with children are not required to attend Chapel.

Note: Work conflicts do not qualify as excused absences unless financial need can be demonstrated.

To avoid registration delays, all excuses should be cleared within one week of the illness and/or doctor’s appointment.

Students who have not completed their chapel requirements within 3 weeks prior to registration will not be allowed to register for the following semester and must file a Chapel appeals form found on the Chapel website.

Those students who are unable to return to Westmont because of failure to complete their chapel requirement must re-apply to return to Westmont.