We work to fulfill our mission through a formal series of leadership development experiences, community service projects, and academic courses. Community living and group responsibility also serve to develop moral reasoning skills. Because we believe that we are our sisters' keepers, certain residential life rule violations result in full hall restrictions. In addition, the mores of upperclass women and alumnae are highlighted through dorm talks and big sister assignments. By teaching our history and articulating our expectations, we encourage students to join the Spelman sisterhood by adopting the moral principles for which we stand.
All public events begin with prayer.
Furthermore, Sunday morning worship is conducted each week during the academic year for those students, faculty, and staff who wish to participate. Our curriculum supports the students' need to know intellectually as well as know by faith. Each semester, many of our students enroll in religion and philosophy courses, which range in scope from ethics to women in the Bible. We encourage those students who do not ascribe to an organized theology to develop an inner belief system that helps them to understand their responsibility to care for their fellow human beings, the environment, and all the creatures of the earth. Alumna Marian Wright Edelman is fond of saying that service is the rent you pay for living on this earth.