Courtney Ruth
Student Life Editor
Resident chaplains who were instituted for the
2003-2004 school year to help promote spiritual life in the dorms found the
program was not quite was anyone expected, according to Bre Shelton, RC on
second floor of Sutton
“It has been a real learning experience about what things work and what things
don’t,” said Isaac Shade, first floor RC in Webb Hall.
Shelton called the year a “rough draft” for future years.
Shade said the jobs of the resident chaplains varied depending on the nature of
the people on the floor.
His section did not have many formal get-togethers, but Shade found himself in
“more of a pastoral role” by being available to talk and being able to keep
confidentiality with the issues brought to him. Confidentiality is one of the
way the resident chaplains differ from the resident assistants, who are required
to report information.
Shelton said she had less free time than expected to coordinate activities and
did not realize how much time it takes to build relationships.
The frustration that some of the resident chaplains experienced will help
develop the program in the future, Shelton said.
“When it comes to ministry I don’t think there can be a negative side," Shelton
said.
Both Shade and Shelton said one of the changes made to next year program will
allot a specific amount of money to each RC to spend on their group of students.
This will encourage the planning of activities by resident chaplains because
they will have funds to work with.
The program is headed by campus minister Nathan Flora. There are 19 students who
serve as resident chaplains, two on each floor of Hart, Sutton and Webb, and one
in each of the upperclassmen dorms, Williams, Kegley and Quillen.
The group meets once a month during an open convocation time, and they are
currently brainstorming for next year.