8 minute read
VIRTUAL REALITY
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bethel University transitioned to a virtual instruction learning environment in a span of two weeks—all while maintaining the real sense of community that’s always been a Bethel hallmark.
by Michelle Westlund ’83
design by Tom Vukelich ’82
VIRTUAL REALITY
One day in March 2020, reality down to try to slow the pandemic’s wellbeing, the university canceled seemed to shift overnight. The spread. Thousands of people started all Bethel-sponsored travel and coronavirus pandemic had already working from home, and restaurants, on-campus events through the end infected more than 100,000 people theaters, museums, and other public of May; closed residence halls; and worldwide, causing more than 3,400 gathering places were ordered to instructed students, faculty, and deaths. In late January, the virus had close. Sports seasons—from the staff to study and work virtually reached the west coast of the United NBA to all levels of collegiate spring through at least May 31. In the span States. By March 8, U.S. cases sports—were suspended or canceled. of a two-week extended spring numbered 422. K-12 schools closed, as teachers, break, all face-to-face classes moved
Then in rapid succession, the parents, and students made rapid online and most staff transitioned to dominos began to fall. On March accommodations for what would working from home. 13, there were 1,896 COVID-19 quickly become known as “the new Later, as the impact of the cases in the U.S., and a national normal.” pandemic widened, Bethel state of emergency was declared. suspended all semester-long study By March 16, reported U.S. cases Changes at Bethel abroad options for the 2020-21 increased to over 4,500 and the Bethel University faced a new academic year. In mid-April, state of Minnesota—like many normal, too. In March, in the Bethel announced that spring others nationwide—began shutting interest of community safety and commencement would take place
virtually in online celebrations May 23-24. Live ceremonies are scheduled for August 14-16 pending a final decision in early July. If necessary for safety and wellbeing, those ceremonies will be held in December. Shortly after commencement plans were announced, Bethel moved all summer term classes online.
Experienced in online delivery
While the rapid transition to a virtual instruction learning environment was an exercise in collaboration and flexibility— facilitated by a dedicated technology support team—online learning is not new to Bethel. As far back as 1994, Bethel Seminary became the first seminary in the nation to offer online classes, serving as a model for distance learning at seminaries across the country. Even before the coronavirus, Bethel Seminary offered most of its degree programs online. And Bethel’s adult undergraduate and graduate programs are similarly positioned. Most adult programs were already online, and the Graduate School offers multiple master’s degree programs, a doctoral program, certificates, and professional licenses in an online format.
Educational technology and support for virtual learning were already well established in Bethel’s adult programs. The new challenge was to make the transition for undergraduate faculty and students—in just two weeks. Professors worked tirelessly to prerecord lectures or prepare for live video presentations, where students participate with classmates in real time. Faculty and staff continue to provide the same academic support and mentoring they always have, through virtual platforms like Google Meet and Zoom.
Some faculty have found that online delivery has promoted new creativity and connection. Mark Bruce, associate professor of English, opened live online student chats to interested alumni, former students, colleagues, and friends. “They’ve added some wonderful energy to a group of already wonderful students in the class,” he says. “We read together, chat, and joke. It’s been a great time, a fun community, and a good learning opportunity.”
Grieving what’s lost
Tech-savvy students have been quick to adapt, but there’s still a layer of grief in their transition. The loss of face-to-face community, at a place where community means so much, is hard to accept. Students miss connecting over coffee, at Bible studies, and in residence halls. Athletes are grieving the loss of spring sports competition. And perhaps most of all, seniors are mourning the milestones they won’t be celebrating the way they’d planned. “On spring break, we didn’t realize it would be the last time we’d be together as roommates,” says Lucas Bentrud ’20. “This won’t be the spring semester we’d hoped for.”
It’s not the spring semester President Jay Barnes had hoped for either. Aside from the sheer number and urgency of the coronavirusrelated decisions he faces, he is also preparing for retirement on June 30—all while working from his home, just like other Bethel employees. “This is not exactly my dream plan for my last semester at Bethel,” he says. Yet he has collaborated with President-elect Ross Allen to keep Bethel’s vital sense of community strong and intact in the face of unprecedented changes. “A strong sense of community has always been a hallmark of Bethel University, and we are committed to staying connected during this challenging time,” Barnes says. “Our shared values, faith, and care for one another draw our community together, and they will continue to sustain us during this time apart.”
“This pandemic invites us to remember what we value most. It invites us to remember how our lives impact the lives of others.” –Christine Osgood Director of Wellbeing Initiatives
Staying connected
If the pandemic seemed to explode almost overnight, so too have Bethel’s new ways of staying connected. MyBethel, an online dashboard available to anyone in the Bethel community, has a new tab for community resources. This page is a centralized location for COVID-19 updates, information on studying and working remotely, and links to spiritual and wellbeing content. A new feature, “Monday Meetup,” spotlights various Bethel community members as they offer encouragement and tips for the new normal.
The Office of Christian Formation and Church Relations, headed by Campus Pastor Laurel Bunker, continues to offer Chapel and other spiritual encouragement online. Options include “Bethel Today,” a daily 10-minute conversation with faculty or staff, and the twiceweekly student spotlight “Beyond the Brick.” The team offers two weekly devotional series: “Hope and Healing” with Bunker, and “The New Abnormal” with Assistant Campus Pastor Jason Steffenhagen. Midweek, there’s “Chapel 2.0.” The efforts of Bunker and her team caught the notice of Christianity
Today media, where
Bethel was mentioned in a story about Christian colleges getting creative with virtual chapel. Bunker sees the current challenges as opportunities to go deeper and wider in faith. “Take heart and take courage in this season,” she says. “Keep looking for ways to serve one another, even if virtually. This too shall pass.”
Bethel’s counseling services team also offers support and advice for this unique season. Their resource
Creative Community
With spring classes moving online, students and faculty are getting creative—for good. Students in University Professor of Art Ken Steinbach’s sculpture course are designing and producing whimsical, colorful clinical masks for kids, intended to make COVID-19 precautions less frightening. “We’re doing what we can to fight back against this thing,” says studio art major Matt Bonvino ’20. “In these trying times, it’s the community—it’s people—who can come together and make a difference.”
Visit bethel.edu/magazine/mask-project for more.
page, “Coping with COVID-19,” provides tips for managing the anxiety that comes with the uncertainty of the times. “This is an important time to keep regularly communicating with our support people—even if we can’t see them in person,” says Miriam Hill, director of counseling services. “Creating new rhythms for connection, self-care, and productivity promotes good mental health. Many of us are also experiencing significant loss in this unexpected season, and it can help to give ourselves space to acknowledge and grieve those losses.”
A holistic view of wellbeing has been an intentional part of Bethel’s ethos and curriculum for a number of years. Now, the wellbeing initiative website offers a one-stop information clearinghouse for Bethel students and employees, with links to everything from online workouts, mental health resources, and academic support. And to keep the Bethel community grounded as they shift to new ways of learning and working during this time of uncertainty, Christine Osgood, director of wellbeing initiatives, shares daily wellbeing meditations and practices.
The ultimate goal, Osgood says, is not to just get through this challenging time, but to allow it to transform us for good. “This pandemic is challenging,” she explains. “It is fueling anxiety, fear of the unknown, and grief. However, it is also inviting each of us into a deeper place of intentional living. Gone are the days of mindlessly moving through our hours. This pandemic invites us to remember what we value most. It invites us to remember how our lives impact the lives of others. It invites us to remember that God has always been calling us and continues to call us to partner with Him in the renewal of this world.” BU
Bethel Community Resources Spend your time purposefully—during COVID-19 or any time—with these resources for growth and encouragement.
Alumni Book Club Join a virtual community of alumni book lovers to read and post about books from a variety of genres. Visit pbc.guru/bethel
RightNow Media Membership Bethel’s partnership with RightNow Media allows alumni, faculty, and staff to access a streaming library of more than 20,000 biblically-based videos—completely free. Sign up at rightnowmedia.org/account/invite/
betheluniversity
Wellbeing Updates Bethel’s Center for Wellbeing provides content to support the wellbeing of the Bethel community. Visit wellbeing-at-bethel.com
Bethel University Library Alumni, students, staff, and faculty can access Bethel’s online video library at bethel.edu/ library/research/find/video or browse the e-book collection at bethel.edu/library/
research/find/ebooks
Faculty Podcasts Many Bethel faculty-produced podcasts can be found online. Check these out:
• Channel 3900 network. A variety of thoughtprovoking shows from Bethel professors in diverse fields. Visit cwcradio.podbean.com
• Whole & Holy. Bethel Seminary podcast for ministry leaders. Visit
bethelseminarypodcast.podbean.com
• GreatRidge Station. Sam Helgerson, program director for Bethel’s M.A. in Strategic Leadership, hosts a podcast for leaders. Visit
grstation.podbean.com
• Lead Stories Podcast. Stephanie Williams O’Brien, adjunct faculty for Bethel Seminary and the College of Adult & Professional Studies, co-hosts this leadership development podcast. Visit leadstoriespodcast.com
