CURRY CHANDLER
Staff Writer
With only one Wednesday morning Convo remaining in the fall semester, students are anxious to earn more Convo credits before time runs out.
Despite the variety of options for convocation credit available to students, programs have been filling up to capacity quickly.
“During my two semesters here there has certainly been an apathetic expectation that an unlimited number of seats will be available at an unlimited number of Convocations,” Christopher Collins said, convocation and student-led ministries coordinator, in an e-mail. “When this turns out not to be the case, students who have waited until the end become disenchanted.”
One such student is Stefan Johansson. Johansson said he has been turned away from multiple convocation programs in the past week even though he arrived early.
Johansson, who has earned one-and-a-half convocation credits this semester, said the most problematic convocation he’s attended was a recent Convo. He said during the program he received a phone call from his mother. Knowing that it was in regards to his recent car accident, Johansson stepped outside so he could answer the call. It was shortly after he had begun the conversation when a convocation scanner approached him and asked for a student ID card.
He asked if she was scanning him out and she confirmed. “I explained to her that I was just talking to my mom because I had just been in a car accident and needed to have this conversation, but it didn’t change her mind,” Johansson said.
Johansson said he recognizes why the scanner questioned him, but said her zero-tolerance attitude was unnecessary.
“I understand the concern about students leaving early or not listening to the speakers, but I really had to take that phone call,” he said.
Collins maintained that responsibility ultimately lies with the students and not convocation workers and said he is disappointed when students vent their frustrations on the event scanners. Still, he is able to impart first-hand knowledge of the “Convo-crunch” that comes at semester’s end.
“I have seen programs where there are 300 people lined up outside of Elkins hoping to get a seat to a program,” Collins said, adding that the majority of students are respectful and patient.
“The unfortunate aspect is the students who wait until the last month to get the credits they need and also do not come early to programs. I have seen occasions where these students curse and complain about how much they dislike Pepperdine because of Convocation,” he said.
According to Collins, approximately 160 convocation events were offered this semester, not including all of the club Convo programs.
“Pre-planning a large number of events is the concession that we have strategically made,” he said. “Ultimately we want students to know that out 160 programs, choosing 14 can be done ahead of time based on programs that they actually want to attend and benefit from, as opposed to going only for the credit.”
Not all students have put their credits off until the last minute. Austin Smith, a senior theatre major, has secured 10 points so far this semester.
“It’s pretty important to me,” Smith said. “My dad told me that he’d pull me out of school if I didn’t get an ‘A’ in Convo again.”
A total of 14 convocation credits is required to receive an “A” in the convocation course. Seven or fewer is considered an “F.”
Smith credits his success to signing up for a club Convo. He enrolled in a program called “God and Art.”
Some other students are not as concerned as Smith about getting top marks in Convo. Junior Russell Sheets said he does not give Convo much thought.
Sheets, who has earned a single convocation credit this semester, said being a commuter student contributed to his difficulties with earning credits. He said working extra to help finance his off-campus housing in Woodland Hills leaves little time for other activities.
“I just don’t have time,” he said. “I have to work a lot of hours. It’s kind of expensive living out here.”
Collins said the regulations of timeliness enforced by the scanning staff are as important as it is for students to bring their cards to an event.
“Having proper identification is not only part of the Code of Conduct, it is part of life,” Collins said.
The last Wednesday morning Convocation program will take place Nov. 29.
11-16-2006