BethelParent A newsletter for parents of Bethel University students
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Issue 52/Fall 2011
Expanded On-Campus Health Care Offers Cost Savings and Peace of Mind Parents worry about their children’s health while they’re away at college. But with Bethel’s expanded on-campus healthcare options, there’s no need to worry! Bethel’s Health Services recently welcomed a full-time nurse practitioner, Judy Jackson. She is available for appointments from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Now, students don’t have to leave campus and pay insurance deductibles or copays. “As our student body has grown, we’ve seen an increasing need for on-campus health care options, and we’re excited to be able to offer more services to our students,” says Liz Miller, Bethel’s director of Health Services. A $50/semester fee covers many health care services, including: • Unlimited visits to see a licensed provider with no copayment; • Diagnostic testing, such as strep and mono tests, urinalysis, and blood glucose screening; • Reduced costs for other tests and procedures, such as labs, suturing, and wart treatment; • Care for mental health conditions that are within the scope of Health Services; • Management of health and immunization records; and • Reduced fees for some medicines, including over-the-counter and prescription medications. “For many students, the semester fee will be lower than they now spend on copayments and deductibles, and the services will be more convenient,” says Miller. Expanded services are free this fall; the semester fee will begin in spring semester 2012. Students can also take advantage of other professionals, including a part-time nutritionist, a full-time registered nurse, and an M.D., who sees patients on a walk-in basis on Thursday mornings. Free counseling sessions are available through Counseling Services, which works with, and is housed next door to, Health Services. Along with the expanded services is a newly remodeled and enhanced area, which is more comfortable and inviting; a third exam room makes it possible to see more patients. Questions? Contact Health Services at 651.638.6215 or Counseling Services at 651.635.8540. n
Want News? Get regular updates on Bethel news and events via email! Visit bethel.edu/news-events/e-news to subscribe to eNews. n
Mark Your Calendar Homecoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 30-October 2 Family Weekend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 21-23 (for parents and extended family of students) Thanksgiving Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 23-25 Festival of Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . December 1-3 Final Exams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 12-16 (Please don’t schedule family vacations on these days) Mid-Year Commencement . . . . . . . . December 16
It’s in the Mail Students love to receive care packages and letters! Please make sure your mail is addressed correctly:
Student Name Bethel University MSC _____ (enter the student’s post office box number after MSC) 3900 Bethel Dr. St. Paul, MN 55112-6999
Visit bethel.edu/parents/parentresourcepage for care package ideas. n
Welcome Week Every year, the start of school is a time of beginnings for faculty, staff, and students. But for the approximately more than 840 freshmen and transfer students, the beginning of college life is especially “new.” And Welcome Week is an important tradition to launch them into the Bethel community. Did you miss the Welcome Week experience? View the photo gallery at www.bethel.edu (click on News & Events for August) or go to facebook.com/betheluniversity to experience it for yourself. n
Family Weekend Seems like just yesterday that you helped your student pack for a year at Bethel. In the days and weeks that followed, he or she met new friends, started new classes, and enjoyed many new experiences. Now it’s time for you to catch up! Join us for Family Weekend, October 21-23, and reconnect with your student and experience campus life with them. Bring the whole family— grandparents, aunts and uncles, and siblings are welcome. The schedule has something for everyone. Refer to the Family Weekend brochure you recently received in the mail, or go to bethel. edu/parents for more information and registration. n
Keep Us Updated Have you moved recently, or maybe added a new cell phone number? You’re a vital part of your student’s educational team, and we want to stay in touch with you with parent newsletters and news about campus happenings, events, and volunteer opportunities. Go to bethel.edu/parents/parent-info/update to update your information online. n
Welcome, New Director of Disability Services Natalie Beazer recently started in the position of director of disability services. Natalie comes to Bethel from Communication Services for the Deaf and Global Deaf Connection in the Twin Cities. She is a doctoral student at the University of St. Thomas in the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Administration, having earned her master’s degree at the University of Minnesota in educational psychology. Beazer brings strong experience in one-on-one relationships with persons with disabilities, especially individuals who are autistic, deaf, and hard of hearing. To consult with Natalie, please contact her at nbeazer@bethel.edu or 651.635.8759. n
Serving YOU! Bethel Parent spoke to Ralph Gustafson, vice president for constituent relations, about his role in serving Bethel parents, as well as the many resources his team offers. Tell us about yourself and your connection to Bethel. The Bethel family has played a significant role in my life for 40 years. I graduated from the college in 1974 and the seminary in 1978. My wife Lyn (C’74) and I served as residence directors for Arden Village West. Our four children have studied at the college, and two of our sons have continued at the seminary. I’m a student again— this time in the seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program, hoping to graduate in 2012. When God opened the door in 1994 for me to return to Bethel as an employee, I was thrilled and blessed to be back at my alma mater. What’s your role at the university and What’s your team’s mission? I lead a team of talented and energetic people who feel called to serve Bethel’s alumni, parents, and churches. We seek to communicate with them about the life-changing work God is doing at Bethel and to provide them with services that help strengthen their connection to the university. We hope to inspire our BU family and friends to support Bethel in prayer, service, and giving.
What’s one piece of advice or information that you’d want to pass on to parents? Stay in touch with us! Please consider the parent services staff members your advocates and friends. Most of us have had children in college, so we understand what it means to be a college parent. We want to walk with you on this amazing journey! n
Bethel University 3900 Bethel Drive St. Paul, MN 55112-6999
FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. As amended, it’s a federal law establishing procedures for disclosing student records and protecting the privacy of these records. Students’ records are private information that is not shared without the student’s consent. At Bethel University, student records are protected as private information starting on the first day of class and ending at death. Bethel University abides by the law, and as such, we cannot release information to parents without written approval from the student. Visit bethel.edu/registrar/ferpa to learn more. n
Please highlight some resources for parents One is this newsletter, the Bethel Parent. It’s our most comprehensive and focused resource for parents, and is available in print or online—including back issues. I also encourage parents to regularly check out the Bethel University website, particularly the parents’ page, for updates, events, and news pertinent to parents (bethel.edu/parents).
Address Service Requested
What’s FERPA?
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In an address to parents of new students at the beginning of the school year, campus pastor and dean of chapel Laurel Bunker said “They will get no compromise from me; your children will get no compromise; they will get the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Experience chapel as your children do; listen to chapel services on iTunes! Visit cas.bethel.edu/campus-ministries for a link to iTunes, and a list of speakers, topics, and schedules. n
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Chapel on the Go
How does your office serve parents? First, we seek to communicate clearly what they need to know to help their student maximize their Bethel experience. This happens through the Bethel Parent newsletter, Welcome Week parent sessions, and phone calls and emails in response to parents’ questions and concerns. Second, we host events such as Family Weekend. Parents are also encouraged to attend concerts, sporting events, theatre productions, chapel, and a variety of other campus events. Third, we represent parents to the administration and faculty. Contact us at 651.638.6462 or parents@bethel.edu if you have a question, concern, or a positive experience to share. Or stop by our office when you’re on campus. We would love to see all of our parents, grandparents, and siblings on campus for Family Weekend, October 21-23.
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BethelParent
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