Correction: Todd Pickett was originally listed as the associate dean of Spiritual Development. However, he is the dean of Spiritual Development. The Chimes regrets this error.

Failing to physically attending 15 chapels or four conferences, or failing to turn in makeups on time will result in a $375 fee, announced Todd Pickett, dean of Spiritual Development, during Monday’s chapel. This new policy will replace the current procedures for chapel makeups and is effective this semester.

The policy change is part of a broader attempt flowing from the Spiritual Development department to help students “abide in Christ both educationally and experientially,” Pickett said.

Between “Big Chapel”, Talbot Chapel, Afterdark, Singspo, Fives Chapel, sabbathing and alternative chapels like the Sept. 29 “Salvation in James: Gift and Responsibility,” there are over 145 opportunities to fulfill the 30 required chapel units.

Out of all these options, students are required to physically attend only 15 chapels to meet university requirements, which Pickett said is very unique to our university.

Under the new policy, students will automatically have $375 charged to their account if they either fail to meet the physical requirements or do not complete the makeup chapels by the deadline of Jan. 4, 2012.

A one-day retreat led by Spiritual Development will be offered at the beginning of each semester and students who attend will have $125 of the $375 fine credited back to their account.

The old policy placed students who failed to meet the requirements on chapel probation. Chapel probation gave students one more semester to properly adhere to the requirements and, if they failed to do so, they were then limited to only 12 units of classes or required to do community service.

Students should be intrinsically motivated to attend chapels, it is something they should “feel in their bones,” Pickett stated. However, the extrinsic motivations, like having to physically attend chapels or suffer a fine, helps hold you accountable in times when the intrinsic motivation is strained.

More information to the new chapel policy can be found on the student life website.