Does anyone have experience or knowledge of Olivet Nazarene (Illinois)

Parents Forum
1

My son expects to receive a good offer from Olivet, and while it is easy to find out about academics, there are other things that concern me, and I’m not quite sure what they mean.

On their website, I read:


[QUOTE=""]

The entire campus gathers twice each week for chapel,
and there’s a freedom to discuss matters of faith openly.
Professors and staff serve as mentors, and worship is a
vital part of campus life.

[/QUOTE]

Does this mean the whole campus is required to go to chapel twice a week? Does “discuss openly” mean feel “safe” to let people know how very Christian you are, or does it really mean openly, no matter what your faith or lack thereof? Are they saying staff/faculty provide religious guidance as a matter of course?

I really don’t know how to interpret this. Can anyone help?

2

Is your son Christian? If not, this may not be the school for him.

From their “About” page:

"Here, at one of the nation’s premier Christian universities, we believe higher education should have a higher purpose.

With accredited programs, award-winning academics, and a faculty touting degrees from a wide spectrum of world-class educational institutions, Olivet stands committed to integrating faith and learning.

Nestled in the historic village of Bourbonnais, Illinois, Olivet students gain knowledge and wisdom, and secure degrees that place them ahead of the pack, with portfolios and experience as evidence of an “Education with a Christian purpose.”"

https://www.olivet.edu/news/chapel-top-priority-olivet
CHAPEL A TOP PRIORITY AT OLIVET

Make sure he reads the handbook and is cool with the rules, including:

CHAPEL TIMES AND AT TENDANCE
Chapel is held in Centennial Chapel on
Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at
9:30 a.m. During special emphasis weeks,
required chapels will extend to other days.
The first chapel for fall 2019 is Wednesday,
August 28. The first chapel for spring 2019
is Wednesday, January 15.
All students are required to attend
two chapels per week.

https://www.olivet.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/University-Life-Handbook.pdf

Also you must live on campus, you may not have members of the opposite sex in your room.

3

Wow, how did I miss that. Thank you.

And, uh…

Hmmm. Sounds like they also don’t believe being gay is a thing.

4

Probably not. Read their statement of faith which may be on their website. That should state the scope and position.

5

Being gay is (was) cause for expulsion.
Basically if your son is not conservative Evangelical, it’s not a good fit.
Surely, there are other universities in Illinois you’ve looked into?