L-R Convocation Program (FAQs)

What is the purpose of convocations?
Lenoir-Rhyne University's convocation program is designed to meet the various goals of the institution's mission through educational opportunities beyond the traditional classroom. As a graduation requirement for all students enrolled full-time in the day program, these diverse experiences promote life-long habits of learning and reinforce Lenoir-Rhyne's unique mission to develop the whole person, to liberate mind and spirit, to clarify personal faith, to foster physical wholeness, to build a sense of community, and to promote responsible leadership for service in the world.
An additional purpose of the convocation program is to recognize and reward the valuable experiences and activities in which students have traditionally engaged that contribute to a more rewarding educational experience. Such experiences range from lectures, to participation in physical fitness activities, to holding leadership positions in student organizations, to involvement in community service projects and beyond.

What are convocations?
Convocations (a.k.a. convos) are opportunities in which the LR community can explore a general topic, delve into a specific area of knowledge or embark on an experience together. They are one of the many platforms in which out-of-class learning occurs. Convocations can/may involve the entire campus community or may appeal to specific segments of the population.

To whom does the convocation policy apply?
This policy applies to all full-time status (twelve hours or more) students every semester the student is enrolled full-time.
*For returning students: The revised convocation program applies to all students. No one is "grandfathered" in under the former convocation format.

The policy does not apply to part-time undergraduate students (for the semester in which they are part-time), graduate students or lifelong learning students.   These students are welcomed, but not required to participate in the convocation program.

How many convocations must I attend?
Students meet the requirements for the program through verified attendance at a series of convocation events and/or through verified participation in other experiences approved by Lenoir-Rhyne to meet these requirements. In total, a student must complete at least nine "experiences" during an academic year (fall and spring semester combined). Students are required to attend the opening President's convocation and the final Honors convocation and to participate in and/or attend at least seven additional experiences among a variety of lectures, fine arts productions, workshops, student activities, and other events. In meeting convocation requirements, these events and/or experiences may not carry any credits toward meeting other academic requisites. These additional experiences must be satisfied by completing at least seven choice experiences each year, including at least one experience each from five of the following seven categories:

1. Intellectual Development, which focuses upon expanding students' understanding of the world through exploring various scholarly topics and/or contemporary issues from the academic perspective;
2. Creative Development/Expression, which seeks to enhance, through attendance and/or participation, an appreciation of the visual and performing arts;
3. Cultural Development, through which students explore and/or experience intercultural and/or international issues;
4. Personal/Professional Development, which focuses on cultivating students' emotional/social development, personal life skills, leadership abilities, or professional competencies or opportunities;
5. Physical Development, which fosters student wellness and the development of active lifestyles;
6. Spiritual Development, which promotes attentiveness to issues designed to deepen one's understanding and/or clarify matters of personal faith; and
7. Community Service, which cultivates participation and contribution to the broader campus or local community.

What is the "no double-dipping" policy?
In meeting convocation requirements, events and/or experiences may not carry any credits toward meeting other academic requisites. Therefore, students cannot receive convocation credit for activities that are required by a course (i.e. student teaching, nursing clinicals, etc).  Additionally, events and/or experiences in which students receive a grade cannot recieve convocation credit.  However, events and activities that are awarded optional extra-credit can count as convocation experiences as well.

What are the penalties for not satisfying the convocation requirements?
If a student misses either of the required opening or final honors convocations, three (3) additional convocation requirements each will be added to the following year's requirements. (If the student intends to graduate during the academic year/semester in which s/he misses either of these convocations, the accrued requirements must be completed during the same year.)

Should a student not complete the seven choice experiences, additional convocation requirements will be accrued equal to the number of experiences not completed and applied to the proceeding academic year. (The specific categories to be included in the accrued experiences will be determined on a case-by-case basis.)

The Convocation program is a degree requirement for all full-time day students and, like other academic expectations, all experiences must be completed and verified prior to graduation. This policy applies every semester the student is enrolled full-time (twelve hours or more).
Absences from either of the required convocations (opening and final honors) due to illness or other extenuating (emergency) circumstances must be verified by official documentation and approved by the Office for Academic Affairs.

What if I am only a full-time student for one semester (due to graduation or other reasons)?
If, during an academic year, the student is full-time in only one of the two semesters, the requirements for that year will be attendance at the campus-wide, mandatory convocation during the semester in which s/he is a full-time student and at least four other convocations, chosen from at least three different categories.

How do I find out about convocations?

Many of the convocation dates (both the two mandatory and the "choice" events) are provided to students at the beginning of each semester. Convocations are also added throughout the academic year as proposals are approved. Therefore students should check the convocation website regularly to view the most updated convocation programs and schedule.

•     Convocation Website: http://student.lr.edu/convocation-program

* Please note that convocations are added weekly so please refer to the website and the Gmail calendar for the most updated convocation schedule.

Who can submit programs and activities for convocations?
All Lenoir-Rhyne faculty, staff, coaches, officially recognized student organizations, athletic teams and resident assistants may submit proposals.
Student Submissions: Student events and/or activities must be submitted by a recognized student organization, athletic team or resident assistant. Each organization's respective campus advisor, coach or resident director must approve and sign-off on the program.

What is the process for submitting activities and programs for convocation credit?
Potential convocation programs are submitted via the brief online application.
Submission Criteria:

• Submissions must clearly fit within one or more of the seven convocation categories
• The venue for the event must be held or reserved via Conferences and Events before submitting the proposal
• Must be submitted via online form at least three weeks in advance of activity or event
• Student Submissions: Student events and/or activities must be submitted by a recognized student organization, athletic team or resident assistant. Each organization's respective campus advisor, coach or resident director must approve and sign-off on the program.
• Decision on submission will be made within 3-4 business days of submission
• Notification status will be made with person submitting form

Keep in mind that the best programs actively engage the audience.

How does the university verify individual student's participation in convocations?
To receive convocation credit students must be on time and remain for the duration of the event. Student participation is verified through the following methods:

1. Convocation cards: The primary method for verifying convocations is through convocation cards. This method requires that students fill out a card before and after an event and submit the card to an approved convocation staffer.
2. Verification roster: Participation rosters may be used to confirm students' involvement/ leadership in applicable convocation activities. In these cases, the organization's advisor must verify the students' involvement in the organization and that the student has met any and all necessary organizational guidelines. The advisor will be responsible for submitting the students name on a verification roster towards the end of the semester. This method will also be used for intramural activities and by coaches for applicable off-the-field/court workouts.
3. Points Accrual: A tally of points will be used to verify students' participation in the Bears on the Move fitness program. Students must accrue 20 points within a semester if they are to obtain convocation credit through this method.  Points can be accrued by participation in Intramural athletics, attending a convocation that is approved or the physical development category or by achieving Bears on the Move (BOM) points.  Click here, to view how BOM points are accrued.

Who administers the convocation cards?
The convocation committee will be responsible for the administering of the convocation cards. This includes dissemination, collection and turning in of the convocations cards to the appropriate University personnel.

Who advertises for specific convocations?
It is up to the convocation sponsor to advertise for their event.

When are convocations offered?
The University has designated 10:00 am -10:50 am on Mondays and Fridays as "convocations times." However, this does not mean that convocations will be held every Monday and Friday during the 10:00 am gathering time. Additionally, convocations may be held at different times of the day, different days of the week and on the weekends.

Where are convocations held?
The Belk Centrum is the location that most of the 10:00 am Monday/Friday convocations will be held. However convocations can be held at any campus location and off-campus locations as well.

How long are convocations?
Convocations held during the designated Monday/Friday 10:00 am time-slots are 50 minute. However, convocation events vary in time.  Please check the duration on the convocation schedule, as students will only recieve credit if they attend/participate for the entire event duration.

How do students satisfy the physical development category?
The physical development category is designed to account for students' involvement in activities that "fosters student wellness and the development of active lifestyles". Students can satisfy one credit from the physical development category by accruing 20 points in any of the following ways (including a combition of points from all three methods):

1. By attending an informational session (i.e. lecture) listed within the physical development domain (1 point/event)
2. By participation in intramural athletics (1 point/game)
3. By accruing registering physical activity through the Lenoir-Rhyne University wellness program: Bears on the Move. Click here for more detailed information.

20 points = 1 PD convo credit; 40 points = 2 PD convo credit, etc

Does attending Chapel count towards convocations?
Chapel is a valuable experience here at LR; therefore yes, it does constitute convocation credit.

How do I receive credit for participation as a student leader?
The organization's advisor must verify that you have actively served as a leader in the organization and have met any necessary guidelines set by him/her. The advisor must then submit your name on a verification roster towards the end of the semester.

Can I receive credit for attending my organization's state, regional or national conference?
Yes. However, the organization's advisor must verify the quality of the conference during the submission process and vouch for students' participation after the conference.

Can I appeal a convocation?

Yes, if you believe our records are inaccurate, you have until the end of the corresponding acedemic year to sumbit your appeal.  You can submit your appeal to Leonard Geddes at: leonard.geddes@lr.edu.

*Please note that convocation credit will not be given retroactively. This means that the event must be approved well in advance of the event date.