When you mention the phrase “lifestyle statement” around the campus of Greenville College, differing opinions will be given. These responses can range anywhere from “it’s fantastic” to “it’s the worst thing about going to Greenville College.” Whatever a person’s opinion may be, there is no denying that the lifestyle statement – and the continuing dialogue about it – is part of the fabric of Greenville College. For those unfamiliar, the lifestyle statement is a set of rules that a student must agree to follow while attending the college. Like most other institutions, things such as plagiarism, violence, and the destruction of school property are frowned upon. However, there are other rules that show our Holiness heritage: gambling, smoking, and pornography are strictly forbidden. Though the lifestyle statement has been around for a long time, over the years it has been amended and redacted. In the college archives, a list of rules and regulations from the early days of Greenville College highlights some of the practices of the past. For example, Rule Three states, “Cleanliness and neatness as to person, dress, room, and furniture is required in all cases.” Taking a brief stroll through Joy or Holtwick Hall shows that this rule, if it even still exists, is no longer enforced (no offence to the
20 | The Vista
good lads in those dorms). Several rules involving the inability to leave campus were listed. Rule Eight says, “Students residing in the building or boarding themselves outside will not be permitted to leave the college premises without permission from the president.” People are now free to leave the campus daily to go shopping or head home. Imagine being required to ask the president every time you wanted to make a Wal-Mart run. Enforcing that rule today would be, frankly, ridiculous. As a Christian establishment, faith is an essential part of life at Greenville College. The tenth rule states that, “Students residing in the college are required to attend church on the Sabbath with the president and other members of the faculty.” Were this rule still in effect, several Greenville churches might have to start hanging pews from the ceilings. While a Sunday skybox would be an interesting addition to a service, the sheer increase in the number of students attending Greenville makes this regulation highly impractical. A Greenville practice still in effect is the mandatory chapel attendance policy. Chapel is an early morning worship service held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30. A student is required to attend thirty-six of these services over the course of a semester. As one might be