Student Life
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Convocation Program and How it WorksAbout the Club Convo ProgramAbout the Spiritual Mentor ProgramAcceptable Etiquette During a Convocation EventContacting Our OfficeFixing a Problem and The Exemption ProcessHow to Make a Difference in the Convocation ProgramResources Provided by Our OfficeAbout the Convocation Program and How it Works
What is the Convocation Series?
Convocation means "Coming Together" and is the umbrella title for all of the events that are for convocation credit. This includes Chapel programs, Club Convo, special events, and spiritual mentoring.
What is Chapel?
Chapel programs include Wednesday Morning Chapel, Celebration Chapel, and Language Chapels. Though not the only programs sponsored by our office, they are the events that meet regularly in the Convocation Series.
Do Chapels have a common theme?
Wednesday morning Chapels will feature a variety of topics and speakers but focus on issues like social justice, personal growth and spiritual development, God's design for human relationships, Biblical studies, and praise and worship.
How do I get Convocation Credit?
You receive Convocation Credit by scanning your CWID card on your way in and out of any event sponsored by our office. Events put on by Campus Ministry, the University Chaplain's office, or your SLA do not count for Convocation Credit unless otherwise specified by the Convocation Office. A calendar of upcoming events that count for Convocation Credit can be found by clicking here.
How many Chapels am I required to attend?
Each full-time (carrying 12 units or more as of the end of the Add/Drop period), non-exempt student is enrolled in Convocation (SVR 200) for his or her first 8 semesters and must attend 14 events sponsored by our office to receive an A. Here is a listing of what grade you will get based on how many events you have attended:
| Number of Programs Attended | Grade |
| 14 or more | A |
| 13 | A- |
| 12 | B+ |
| 11 | B |
| 10 | B- |
| 9 | C+ |
| 8 | C |
| 7 or fewer | F |
How many Chapels are offered each semester?
Though it depends on how many events are submitted to our office by students and on-campus organizations, there are typically over 120 different events at which you can get Convocation Credit each semester. A calendar of upcoming events can be found by clicking here.
How often is my record updated?
After the end of the Add/Drop Period, your record will be updated each Friday and you are advised to check it regularly to track your progress and check for discrepancies.
Will my grade in the Convocation Series affect my GPA?
Yes, attendance at Chapel/Convocation Series programs will be used to determine a grade that will be averaged into the student's cumulative GPA. Units earned and grades assigned for SEAVER 200 will be calculated as part of the overall GPA of all Seaver graduates and will be counted toward calculation of all graduation honors.
About the Club Convo Program
What is Club Convo?
The Club Convo Program provides another opportunity to receive Convocation Credit and is composed of small groups. These student small groups (usually consisting of 10-12 students) meet 6 different times, are led by a faculty or staff member, and focus on topics ranging from biblical texts to contemporary faith issues and spiritual development.
Students must sign up online to be enrolled in a Club Convo and must attend at least 5 of the sessions to receive any Convocation Credit. Students may be enrolled in only one Club Convo and can receive no more than 6 attendance credits for Club Convo per semester.
There are different Club Convos each semester. For a listing of current Club Convos offered as well as a form to sign up, please visit the Club Convo page.
About the Spiritual Mentor Program
What is the Spiritual Mentor Program?
Students can request to be paired with a faculty or staff member to complete four sessions of mentoring to focus on values, beliefs, ethics, and other issues related to the Christian life. The program is a great opportunity to grow spiritually under the guidance of a faculty or staff member. To learn more about and enroll in the program, please visit the Spiritual Mentor Program page.
Acceptable Etiquette During a Convocation Event
Can I stand in the back/on the stairs if there are no seats?
You must be sitting in the bleechers or in a chair to receive Convocation credit. Standing in the back or on the stairs is reserved for University Administrators only and is a violation of the LA County Fire Code. Please ask the person who scanned you in for assistance in finding a seat.
Can I use my laptop, cell phone, video game, or listen to music during Chapel?
No. This creates a distraction for others and hinders your ability to gain something valuable from the speaker. Use of any electronic device during Chapel may result in receiving no credit for the event.
What do I do if I am expecting an important phone call during Chapel?
You may choose to either take the call, leave the program, and receive no credit for the event or let the call go to your voicemail and call the person back later. "Quick" phone calls are a distraction to others and will not be allowed if you wish to receive attendance credit.
What time do I need to show up at events to get credit?
You will be marked as "on time" if you are scanned in earlier than 5 minutes past the start time. You will be marked as "tardy" if you are scanned in more than 5 minutes after a program starts. You will be "too late" and not receive credit for an event if you show up more than 10 minutes after the program starts.
Contacting Our Office
How do I contact the Convocation Office?
The Convocation Office can be reached in TCC 104, at 310-506-4999, or by e-mail at convocation@pepperdine.edu
Where is the Convocation Office?
Our office is located in the TCC 104 next to the Waves Café.
Fixing a Problem and the Exemption Process
Am I eligible for an exemption?
You may fill out an Exemption Request Form to request to be reviewed for an exemption for the semester from the Convocation Series if you fit into one of the following categories:- Mandatory Internship or student teaching for your major, supported by a letter signed by the department chairperson.
- "Lifetime Learners," defined as students who are over the age of 30, students with children, or "5th Year Seniors" (students who have completed 8 semesters of Convocation).
- Students commuting more than 30 miles to campus, supported by a current utility bill addressed to the student.
- Adverse medical condition with documentation signed by a licensed physician. If students miss 6 weeks of school due to documented medical reasons, they can petition to be dropped from Seaver 200. If students withdraw from all classes they will be dropped from Seaver 200 up until the date of the last Wednesday Chapel.
What do I do if my record is incorrect?
Wait until the Friday after the event to see if it shows up on your record. If your record is still incorrect, please fill out a Record Change Request Form
How to Make a Difference in the Convocation Program
How can I improve the Convocation Series?
If you have ideas for improving the Convocation Series, please share them with us by submitting a Convocation Series Improvement Form. We will review each idea and use it to improve future events.How can I request a certain speaker?
You can submit your request by emailing Convocation@pepperdine.edu the following information:
- Your Name
- Your CWID
- Speaker's Name
- Speaker's Contact Information
- Why You are Recommending the Speaker
How can I request Convocation Credit for an event I am putting on?
We are more than happy to sponsor programs put together by students or on-campus organizations and give out Convocation Credit to those who attend. Each event must be consistent with our standards for the Convocation Series and submitted at least 2 weeks in advance to our office by filling out a Convocation Event Proposal Form.
Resources Provided by Our Office
Are there recordings of Chapel that I can listen to if I wanted to hear something again?
Yes. Video recordings of each Wednesday morning Chapel are posted on the video archive web site several days after the Chapel.
