FAQ about EMU Engage

Campus Gatherings for Students

What are EMU Engage Points?

Faculty, staff, and students gather throughout the week at events on campus. These events reflect the values of Eastern Mennonite University. By attending these events, students are awarded one or two EMU Engage Point per event, the amount depends on the event.

Students are required to earn 60 points to graduate. Points go into the required EMU Engage Credits. Students may earn up to ten points a semester.

EMU shared values and commitments are peacemaking, community, equality (equity), intercultural learning, sustainability, service, social justice, ethical practice of Christian faith, and Christian discipleship.

Core values are peacebuilding/conflict transformation (restorative practices), unifying leadership, community building, equity and inclusion (dignity), affirming difference and undoing bias, intercultural learning, environmental sustainability, civic engagement, service/community engagement, social justice, active faith and religious literacy, Anabaptist understandings, vocational exploration, integrative life skills, innovation/creativity/scholarship, and celebration/spirit.
What are EMU Engage Credits (EEC) and what is the graduation requirement?

One EMU Engage credit is earned per semester when ten or more EMU Engage points have been obtained.

To graduate, students must earn six EECs. Starting Fall 2023, returning students will have their old Convocation points rolled over into EMU Engage Credits but are responsible to keep up with their points to ensure they earn the necessary EECs to graduate.
When do events occur where I can earn Engage Points?

Every Wednesday from 10:10a-11a, we host programs for engagement. The first Wednesday of every semester is an Opening Convocation and Convocation continues every other Wednesday. On the opposite Wednesdays we host Campus Worship and Engage Breakout Gatherings. All Wednesday morning events are worth two points.
Other engage events happen throughout the week highlighting values of community, sustainability, social justice, arts, etc. All of these events are worth one point.
What is a Engage Breakout Gathering? Can I suggest a new one?

During the Campus Worship time, every other Wednesday from 10:10-11:00 a.m., approved Engage Breakout Gatherings that are open to everyone will meet in various online locations. These breakout gatherings, led by students, faculty, and staff, are intended to be formational gatherings engaging with EMU core values and commitments. These gatherings might include discussion groups, sharing faith and life stories, interfaith engagement, and faculty-student groups such as a science and faith group, etc. If you would like to suggest a speaker, topic or idea for Convocation or a Engage Breakout Gathering, a request form is available at the bottom of the Engage web page.
How does the EMU Engage Points and Credits Requirement apply to me if I transfer academic credits into EMU?

Students will be credited EMU Engage Credits points based on the number of semester hours (SH) they transfer in according to the below scale. This applies to transfer and readmitted students, as well as students with any other accepted college credits.

30 SH = 2 EMU Engage credit
45 SH = 3 EMU Engage credits
60 SH = 4 EMU Engage credits
75 SH = 5 EMU Engage credits
90 SH = fulfilled

Please note that semester hours are confirmed throughout the first semester by the registrar's office, so your credited EECs may change throughout the first semester if the registrar’s office is still gathering documentation. Your total EECs credited will reflect the most current data from the registrar's office. No additional EECs will be credited for transfer credits accumulated after the first semester--i.e. summer classes.
How will students keep track of their EMU Engage points?

Students are expected to track their own progress in meeting the Graduation Requirement. Attendance can be reviewed by logging into myEMU and viewing the Campus Engagement section under the Academics tab, a link in myEMU on the left hand sidebar under Students, and at the top of the student Advising Worksheet that students review with their advisors. The Student Life office will monitor progress toward meeting the requirement and communicate with students who are not on track for completing the requirement.
What is the EMU Engage Point appeal policy?

A student who thinks the Event Attendance report does not accurately reflect the convocation points earned in a given semester may submit an appeal using the Appeal Form. Appeals will only be considered for the current semester.
I can see an attendance receipt for a Engage event, but the event does not appear in my credit total or on my report.

Events require additional authentication. You must scan in and out of an in-person event to register EMU Engage Points. If you see an attendance receipt for a convocation event but did not receive a point, you may submit an appeal using the Appeal Form.
Who will select the event speakers?

Speakers will be selected by the Planning Committee made up of representatives from groups such as the Intellectual Life Committee, Faith and Spiritual Life Council, Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, Center for Interfaith Engagement, EMU Core and the Student Government Association (SGA). Suggestions are welcomed. If you would like to suggest a speaker, topic or idea for Engage events gathering, please email EngageEvents@EMU.edu.

Lectures, arts events, and other community gatherings sponsored by departments or student organizations (with faculty or staff support) may be approved for a Engage point if the intent of the event is to develop one or more EMU core values and commitments.

The Planning Committee will keep an annual inventory of themes addressed in Convocation and representation of speakers at the Wednesday morning Convocations, with the intention of centering diverse voices.

Members of the EMU Engage Planning Committee:
Kirsten Beachy
Shannon Dycus
Tyler Goss
Trina Trotter Nussbaum

SGA Representative

Faculty Representative
Athletics Representative