Community Life & Worship (CLW)

• Gospel proclamation: introducing students to a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ in repentance and faith by the power of the Holy Spirit through revelation of God’s word and truth
• Worship: Invites students into an environment of worship and praise that glorifies God and His Work
• Fostering community and diversity: Promotes biblical community and diversity. Fostering fellowship and unity across campus among students from all backgrounds.
• Biblical Worldview: Addresses and engages global issues through the lens of a Biblical & Christian Worldview
• Culturally Impacting: Impacting the culture around us with the truth of the Gospel
• Tradition and Heritage: Educating students on our Baptist Heritage. Exploring the rich traditions and values of Carson-Newman University as a Christian Institution of higher learning.
• Critical Thinking: Thinking critically about matters of faith and practice from a Biblical and Christian Worldview
• World Impact and Mission: Cultivating a world impacting mindset for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God
• Ministry: Encourages students to pursue ministry as a vocational calling in all areas of focus.
• Academic: Engages students with the academic traditions, alumni relations and/or history of Carson-Newman University.

Students will have a CLW class added to their schedule without a day/time. The class will only appear on the student’s schedule and degree evaluation. The course will reflect a pass/fail grade at the end of the semester if the student meets the CLW requirements. The course does not go on their official transcript, and it does not affect their GPA. Attendance at CLW events will be monitored through the Campus Ministries Office. To receive CLW credit for an event a student is required to bring her/his valid C-N ID card to each event attended.

IDs will be scanned at the conclusion of the event. A student must remain for the duration of the event, which will vary according to the event.  The student is responsible for checking his/her attendance in C-N Connect and reporting in person with C-N ID any discrepancy to the Campus Ministries Office within seven (7) days of the event. After seven days, credit will not be earned.

The following students do not have to complete the CLW requirements:

1. A student who has completed 120 credit hours.
2. A student who has previously received a bachelors or graduate degree.
3. A student who is twenty-five years of age by the last day of the semester.
4. A student who is married.
5. A student who is a parent.

In order to receive that exemption for one of these reasons, a student should contact the office of Campus Ministries to complete the necessary paperwork. Online only students and graduate students are not required to attend CLW credits but are encouraged to watch Chapel services online.    

Transfer Students and Special Circumstances

A transfer student is required to attend CLW’s as listed previously every semester while enrolled as a full-time student, except during the student’s semester of graduation

If the student has attended 10 CLWs for each semester of full-time enrollment, CLW attendance will not be required during the student’s final semester of graduation as indicated on an approved degree plan.  For example, students completing a four-year degree will be required to earn 10 CLW credits each semester for 7 of their 8 semesters.  Students will need to complete their required number of CLW credits of no more than 70 CLW credits prior to graduation.  We are a Christian University and CLW credits are part of the graduation requirements.

A monthly calendar is available online. Students should check regularly for updates to the schedule, which is subject to change periodically.

The Community Life and Worship Program provides student-focused events which integrate faith, gospel centered ministry, global missions, education, and community for students, faculty, and staff. These events will consist of chapel on Tuesday and some select Thursday mornings in Gentry Auditorium (Community Worship) and other specified co-curricular programming (Community Life) open to the entire campus community.

All full-time undergraduate students are required to attend ten (10) Community Life and Worship (CLW) events per semester, at least five (5) in Chapel services (Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am or select Thursday morning at 9:30 am) and five (5) in Community Life event for a total of 70 events. Chapel credits can only be earned by attending a Tuesday or Thursday Morning Chapel service at 9:30 am. Participation in the CLW program is required for graduation from Carson-Newman.

A student may bank CLW credits by attending more than 10 events in a semester. However, Chapel credits cannot be banked each semester. Once a student attends the 5 required chapel services per semester each additional event will only count as a CLW credit. CLW event credits will not count as Chapel credit, even banked CLW event credits. Chapel credits after 5 will only be counted as CLW credits.  Students must attend at least 5 chapel services each semester, excluding their final semester before graduation or upon completion of their total CLW requirement for graduation.

CLW events can be viewed on the university calendar labeled CLW or on the campus ministries page.  A monthly calendar is also available online at the university site (click on Events, CLW, and individual listings of CLW events for more details). Students should check regularly for updates to the schedule, which is subject to change periodically.

If the student has attended 10 CLWs for each semester of full-time enrollment, CLW attendance will not be required during the student’s final semester of graduation as indicated on an approved degree plan.  For example, students completing a four-year degree will be required to earn 10 CLW credits each semester for 7 of their 8 semesters.  Students will need to complete their required number of CLW credits of no more than 70 CLW credits prior to graduation.  We are a Christian University and CLW credits are part of the graduation requirements.

CLW Warning Probation and Suspension Policy

If a student fails to attend 10 CLWs each semester or does not meet the required number of events 5 Chapel credits, the student is placed on a CLW warning at the end of the semester of their deficiency. A notice of deficiency will be sent to the student from the office of Campus Ministries.  In order to be removed from CLW warning, a student must make up the shortage of CLWs or chapel credits plus the current semester’s requirement.

If during the next semester of enrollment, the student fails to attend 10 CLWs plus the shortage of CLWs from the first semester, the student is placed on CLW probation for one semester. At the beginning of the probation semester, the student will need to meet with a representative of Campus Ministries and their academic advisor to establish a contractual agreement that outlines how the probation will be removed by attending the correct number of CLW events.  If the probationary student fails to meet their probationary requirement by the end of their probation semester, the student may be suspended from the university.

Suspension and Appeal
A student is placed on CLW Suspension when:

• The student failed to meet requirements for continued probation, or
• The student has 3 or more failed CLW semesters.
• The first time a student is placed on CLW Suspension, that student will be suspended from the University for one semester.
• The second time a student is placed on CLW Suspension, that student will be suspended from the University for two semesters. The notation of the suspension will be made on the student’s academic transcript.
• A student who is suspended a third time is subject to dismissal from the University (see below).

A student who has failed to attain the required number of CLW credits and the minimum number of Chapels (as indicated above) after the probationary period will be suspended. The notation of the suspension will be made on the student’s academic transcript.

Readmission to the University after CLW Suspension is not guaranteed.

A student who has been suspended who wishes to re-enroll at the university must complete the following steps:

• Apply for readmission to the university through the Office of Admissions by completing the application for readmission,
• Write a letter of appeal to the Suspension Review Committee, addressed to the Vice President of Church Relations.
• Complete and submit the CLW Suspension Appeal Application and attach copies of documentation from a physician or healthcare provider (in the event of illness or medical condition), from a parent/guardian (in the event of a death-in-the-family or other family emergency), or other appropriate documentation in support of the appeal request.

Any student readmitted after CLW Suspension will be placed automatically on CLW Probation.

Students who are allowed to re-enroll after the suspension review process are not guaranteed eligibility for financial aid and should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine eligibility.

Conduct and Dress

All events – Please arrive on time and know that tardiness can result in a student not being admitted to an event. Common courtesy and respect for others should be observed. Sleeping and studying are not acceptable. Use of cell phones, laptops, ear buds, and other electronic devices is prohibited. Drinking and eating during events are also prohibited unless permitted by the sponsoring department, organization, or group. Appropriate dress is determined by the nature of an event and should be taken into consideration. If there is a question regarding attire, the student should contact the sponsoring organization in advance. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in the denial of CLW credit for the event.

During formal recitals/concerts – The audience generally applauds after a set or a group of pieces (not after each selection). The best suggestion is to wait until the experienced concert goers begin their applause and then join with them.

Community Worship (Tuesday chapels) – Gentry Auditorium sanctuary doors will be locked at 9:35 a.m. for Tuesday morning chapel services to avoid disruption of worship. Food and beverages are not permitted in the sanctuary. Inappropriate conduct and/or dress may result in denial of CLW credit for the service.

CLW Virtual Completion Form Spring 2024

CLW Event Request Form 2022-2023

CLW Exemption Request