Intercultural and Spiritual Life

The mission of Intercultural and Spiritual Life is to enhance the overall student experience through the development of, exposure to, and participation in social, cultural, spiritual, and educational programs. Through such initiatives, students advance and promote a campus culture that fosters faith formation, cultural engagement, and student support. The aim is to create a campus community that produces considerate, courageous individuals who are equipped intellectually, spiritually, and culturally to change the world.

Intercultural Life
Rochester University is committed to continuing its efforts in creating a diverse and welcoming community for all students, staff, and faculty to thrive. Intercultural life is aligned with our institutional mission and our Christian identity. Students participate in structured programs, co-curricular activities, and extra-curricular activities to gain a broadened sense of intercultural understanding. Through collaboration with other members on campus, campus leaders, and area churches, the hope is to offer educational experiences that provide cultural support for historically underrepresented students.

Spiritual Life
Spiritual life at Rochester University is exhibited on our campus through campus ministry initiatives, service opportunities, and chapel programming. Each of these experiences lead to spiritual formation and a greater sense of vocation among our students. Campus ministry initiatives focus on developing programs, resources, and learning opportunities that develop faith formation in our students. Service projects, community outreach, and missions are all embedded values in our institution. For more information on these initiatives, visit the Spiritual Life section of the Student Handbook.

Chapel programming provides a space where campus gathers together for worship, biblical teaching, and other creative programming that promotes vocational awareness, intercultural, interpersonal, and personal formation. 

Community Life + Worship (CLW) 
A requirement for graduation from RU is involvement on a regular basis in Community Life + Worship (CLW) events. All traditional (full & part time) students seeking an undergraduate degree must complete the 175 CLW credit requirement before graduation.* A minimum of 90 CLW credits must be earned through attendance at campus wide chapel. Students are highly encouraged to garner a minimum of 25 credits per semester (for seven semesters). Students may earn as many CLW credits per semester as their schedule allows until the full requirement is met before graduation. Approximately 40 CLW credits can be earned in campus-wide chapel in any given semester. 

* Traditional undergraduate students exclude Early College, Dual-Enrolled, Accelerated Learning, guest, and audit students.

CURRENT STUDENTS 

Students who were enrolled at RU during and prior to the 19/20 academic year will automatically receive CLW credits towards the requirement of 175 CLW credits. The following chart outlines the number of credits a current student will be required to complete based on their current academic status.

TRANSFER STUDENTS 

Transfer students will automatically receive CLW credits towards the requirement of 175 CLW credits. The following chart outlines the number of points a transfer student will be required to complete based on their transfer status. 

EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS 
Early College students are exempt from the Community Life + Worship graduation requirement. Early College students who transition to bachelor degree-seeking students will follow the requirements outlined above for current and transfer students. However, Early College students who are in their fifth year in the program and plan on continuing their education at Rochester University are welcome to begin earning CLW credits towards the graduation requirement. 

DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION 
The student is permitted to participate in commencement, but will not graduate if 175 credits are not accrued by the end of their graduating semester. Reminder: a minimum of 90 CLW credits must be earned through attendance at campus-wide chapel (this number is reduced based on hours transferred in).