Students speak up about the chapel system: Part 5

Editor’s Note:

On Dec. 11, 2021, Oklahoma Christian University President John DeSteiguer announced the discontinuation of small breakout chapels. Since then, a petition to bring small chapels back garnered over 1,800 signatures, the University created a chapel task force, and Big Chapel resumed with a new schedule.

To amplify student voices on the issue of the chapel system, the Talon is publishing a series of question and answer interviews with students under the condition of anonymity. These interviews were aggregated by a group of five students in a Journalistic Storytelling course.

Reporter’s Methods, Reasons and Rules: 

I set aside half an hour to meet with individuals and perform the interviews outside in the Pavilion area. I would give a few minutes for the person to formulate an answer in their head and then deliver it however they wanted. Second rule was “don’t go off on unnecessary tangents, just give an insightful answer to the question.”

Male, sophomore

How has the removal of small chapels affected you?

“The loss of chapel has dampened my spirit—I haven’t been (to chapel) since the news.”

How do you think this will affect students and the school in the future?

“The relationships today affect our world tomorrow. If we cannot bond with our like-minded peers, we cannot collaborate. To remove small chapels removes those bonds.”

How did small chapels allow you to become closer to God?

“The attendees often had varying levels of spiritual and religious connection. To me, sitting down and discussing our own separate viewpoints and having insightful conversation heightened my connection with God and my peers.”

Female, junior

Did you find a strong spiritual connection at Oklahoma Christian?

“At first, I did. I had never felt closer to God until I began studies at OC. The big and small chapels allowed me to discover something about that connection I hadn’t found before.”

Do you wish for small chapels to return to Oklahoma Christian?

“I feel it’d be best if OC would bring them back. The students do deserve a means of connecting with each other while also being able to worship. OC taking a means of gathering and connection away from the students will have a lingering impact as time goes on.”

How do you feel about small chapels not being available for new students?

“Obviously, everyone will have their own opinions about it, but if I were a new student, I’d be a little discouraged not having those smaller groups to go out and enjoy. Small chapels gave me and others a unique opportunity to discover new ideas and practice our beliefs. I think new students should be encouraged with those opportunities as well.”