Undergraduate students beginning the Fall 2023 semester arrived on campus to a new requirement: the EMU Engage Process. Though it has been the recipient of several name changes, the Engage Process upholds the same goals as the Convocation Points system and the Chapel gatherings before that: students’ attendance various campus-organized events that reflect the values of the university.
Ronald Shultz, Associate Professor of Elementary Education, noted that the Chapel gatherings were not as varied as the options are today. “There was only one option–related to faith and spiritual life– and it would be twice a week.” When EMU Administration expanded the campus-wide gatherings to include other non-religious events they “decided to change the name to ‘Convocation.’” Shultz went on to note that “the name ‘convocation’ did not have much meaning for students and ‘engage’ might make them feel more connected or ‘engaged.’”
While Engage Credits are somewhat similar to the Convocation Points students are accustomed to earning, there are notable differences students should be aware of. One difference between Engage Points and Convocation points is that they are counted differently. Engage Points feed into Engage Credits; every 10 points count for one Engage Credit. In other words, a student who has 40 Engage Points would get four Engage Credits and so on. The maximum number of Engage Credits a student can earn per semester is 1–as explained in a video Goss narrated and sent to EMU undergraduates on Aug. 24, this limit is to promote “EMU engaging with each other and the values that guide us”.
Secondly, until last semester, each student needed 80 convocation points (the equivalent of eight Engage Credits) to graduate; instead, now only six Engage Credits (the equivalent of sixty Engage Points, or 60 convocation points via the 1:1 crossover ratio) are necessary.
Students see pros and cons to the new system. “If you only need 6 Engage Credits, students will probably go to less events,” said sophomore Inwamini Bayongwa. First-year Abbey Harper added that the new system “is easier to work with.” Both agreed that the change to the system made increased participation on campus more appealing: “[the change] does make me want to get more involved,” noted Bayongwa.
Patricia Lehman, Professor of Communication, shared a similar sentiment: “I believe that the term ‘engage’ will make students feel more connected; they will be able to relate to it. I know that it makes me feel more connected.” Mary Ann Zehr, Writing and Communication Program Director, affirmed the additional options for student engagement, noting that “different activities help to build community.”
For students who have already completed their 80 convocation points, the 1:1 ratio of Convocation Point to Engage Point translates their earnings to 80 Engage Points, and thus, 8 Engage Credits. The EMU Engage Credit Tracking Website, accessible to students through myEMU, says that “earning more than 60 Engage Points throughout your time at EMU puts you in the ranking to receive a bonus award.” Regarding this addition, Sophomore Aidan Miller added that it’s “good that students get rewarded if they have more [than the graduation requirement.]”
Students can earn Engage Points weekly by attending Convocation (held every Wednesday from 10:10 to 11:00 a.m. in Lehman Auditorium), Chapel Gatherings (held every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in Martin Chapel), Campus Worship, breakout gatherings, and other events advertised on the “Upcoming Engage Events” page on myEMU. From this webpage, they can also track the points they have earned and send attendance receipts for events they have attended. Students are also able to suggest speakers or topics for Convocation and Engage Breakout Gatherings via a request form at the bottom of the Engage web page.
Questions about EMU Engage Credits or Engage Points can be directed to engageevents@emu.edu.