The university, founded by televangelist Jerry Falwell, requires its 13,500 residential students to attend as many as three events each week as part of a program called Convocation. There are sermons by guest pastors, performances from Christian entertainers and talks by leaders in many fields.What happens if you don’t go?The university’s student appeals court handbook has the list of consequences for various infractions. Missing Convocation is on the list. (A reprimand is a formal mark against a student’s record.) Here’s what the handbook says:Each student should be familiar with these sanctions.1 Reprimand:Late for curfew (1 additional reprimand for each 30 minutes late)Late for Convocation (1 additional reprimand for each 15 minutes late)4 Reprimands + $10.00 Fine:Absence from required meeting (Convocation, etc.)Disturbance/non-participation during ConvocationDress/hair code violation (male or female)Cruz’s presidential announcement was scheduled as a Convocation event by the university, therefore the penalty for a student’s absence would be four reprimands and a $10 fine.Liberty University issued a statement about Cruz’s speech that confirmed that "missing Convocation is only a minor penalty, a $10 fine."
University President Jerry Falwell Jr. addressed the Convocation requirement in a separate statement after Cruz’s address. "Convocation speakers do not all line up with traditional Evangelical Christian viewpoints or even Liberty University’s doctrinal statement. A fundamental part of the college experience is being exposed to a variety of viewpoints so students can better understand why they hold their own beliefs and be better prepared to defend them."
Remember Ted Cruz's big announcement at Liberty University?
