FAMILY GUIDEBOOK 2017–2018
WELCOME TO BETHEL
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FAMILY GUIDEBOOK
WELCOME, BETHEL PARENTS! We’re so glad you’re here, and that you’ve entrusted us with the important task of helping your students earn a college education. During their time at Bethel, students will be challenged and stretched academically, socially, and spiritually as they undergo Bethel’s liberal arts education. Our aim is to provide students with a holistic experience that helps them discover their vocation and prepare for a successful future. Achieving this mission is made possible by successful collaboration between the many different academic and administrative departments here at Bethel. By working together, we’ve ensured that your students have a plethora of resources available to help them succeed. In this Family Guidebook, we’d like to introduce you to some of these resources for students and familiarize you with others that will be valuable to you as a parent. We’re sure you have a lot of questions and that more will pop up along the way. Please refer to this guidebook as your first source for an answer or for information on how to get in contact with us.
Thank you for being part of the Bethel community. We look forward to partnering with you as together we guide your students along their collegiate journey. Have a question that wasn’t answered in this guidebook? Contact the Office of Alumni and Family Relations: 651.638.6462 | 800.255.8706 ext. 6462 | parents@bethel.edu Or visit bethel.edu/parents
ALUMNI AND FAMILY RELATIONS TEAM MEMBERS
Jim Bender
Jennifer Scott
Hannah Johnson
Danielle Harper
Amanda Thompson
Robin Prigge
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CONTENTS
Office of the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Office of the Provost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Office of Security and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Office of Student Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Off-Campus Programs/International Studies . . . . . . 11
Campus Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Academic Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Academic Enrichment and Support Center . . . . . . . . . 18
Career Development and Calling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Counseling Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Business Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Dining Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Stay Connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
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A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT JAY BARNES Dear Parents— We love college students! For 40 years we have committed our lives to seeing them grow and mature as followers of Jesus and as people equipped to take on the world’s most challenging problems to God’s glory and for our neighbors’ good. The questions they ask and begin to answer during the college years are big ones: • In what or whom is my identity rooted? • How is my gifting and wiring translated into a vocational direction? • Who will be my friends for life? • Do I believe what I believe because I grew up believing it or because I’ve examined my beliefs and hold them at a deeper level? • Are my beliefs “storm hardy”—able to stand up when life gets messy? Bethel is a great place to ask and answer these questions. And we consider ourselves partners with you in crafting a good journey for your student. We know that you have sacrificed to make a Bethel education possible. We take our mission and calling as a sacred trust. We have designed this handbook to be helpful to you as you go through the journey with your student. We learned from watching our three go through college that the journeys can be very different. What we learned with the first didn’t necessarily help with the second or third! But we’re traveling and praying with you. Partners Together, Jay & Barb Barnes
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10 THINGS I WANT YOU TO KNOW From Jay Barnes 1. Everyone admitted to Bethel has the ability to succeed. 2. At Bethel, students will be challenged academically, socially, and spiritually. 3. Your kids won’t come home as often as you’d like. It’s healthy and shows their growth. 4. Studying abroad is an enriching experience, which we encourage. We hope you will too. 5. Your kids should connect with adults on campus who can write them honest references. 6. Earning a degree is a daily choice. With every decision, students set their own direction. 7. Beth-El is “God’s house,” but it is also your house. You are part of our community. 8. College is a privilege—not a promise. 9. Encourage students to enjoy life! Unplug. Build connections in the wider community. 10. No one should settle for a small dream. At Bethel, we’re equipping world-changers.
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A LETTER FROM PROVOST DEB HARLESS Dear Bethel Parents— I am delighted you and your student have joined us at Bethel! Each time we welcome new students and parents to Bethel, I am reminded of my own experience as a Bethel student. I loved my student days here. Bethel marked me in significant ways. I learned to think better and to connect my faith and values with what I was studying. I was also challenged to explore God’s calling in my life. My faith became my own—I understood better what I believed and why through my experiences at Bethel. And I made friends for a lifetime. I returned to Bethel more than 28 years ago to be part of the faculty—what a privilege it’s been to be part of a place that had such a profound impact on me. Bethel is very intentional about providing a high-quality education that is anchored in our Christian faith. We remain keenly focused on creating life-changing educational experiences for all of our students. Bethel’s founder, John Alexis Edgren, said, “Measure our performance by what God accomplishes through our graduates after they have been prepared at Bethel to go out into the world to serve.” People often ask me what’s kept me at Bethel for so long. My answer to that is clear—it’s seeing what God does in students’ lives during their time at Bethel and then seeing how they lead and serve in significant ways after they graduate. Thank you for trusting us with your student. We are excited to be part of God’s work in your student’s life. We pray that these will be remarkable years in which your student grows and thrives intellectually, spiritually, and relationally. Debra K. Harless ’83 Executive Vice President and Provost
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Office of Security and Safety 651.638.6400 | bethel.edu/security-safety
SAFETY AND SECURITY AT BETHEL
Our mission is to promote public safety through education, awareness, and enforcement. Our security officers patrol the campus 24/7/365 and are trained in first aid, CPR, and AED use. We will send alerts if there is a safety or security threat to those that have registered their phone with Safety and Security.
GUEST AND VISITOR CAMPUS ACCESS
Bethel is a closed campus from 9 p.m.–6 a.m. Individuals with a current Bethel identification number will be granted access at the west entrance to campus. The east entrance of campus closes daily at 7 p.m. Guests coming to visit or pick up students during closed hours need to have prior authorization. Without prior authorization, security officers will not allow guests to enter campus until the student has been contacted.
GUEST AND VISITOR PARKING
Parking is free for guests and visitors. Reserved spaces are available in certain lots for guests. Guests staying overnight are required to have a permit.
PARKING PERMITS
Permits are required for on-campus parking during the college school year. This also applies to all breaks during the school year. Underclassmen living on campus in Bethel housing can obtain parking permits only under specific circumstances. In order to obtain this permit, students need to participate in an appeals process. Students who are juniors or seniors by credit are allowed to register one vehicle to use for the academic year. Permit and parking lot assignments are determined by housing status and housing location. All commuter students are required to obtain a parking permit regardless of credit standing. The permit itself is free, but an automatic commuter fee of $100 per semester is charged to each student’s account.
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Office of Student Life
651.638.6300 | bethel.edu/undergrad/student-life
WELCOME TO STUDENT LIFE
As student life professionals, our four main goals are to serve students wholeheartedly, to ensure that our work is done with excellence, to model and demonstrate humility, and to do all this with the love of the Lord. The Office of Student Life spearheads many different opportunities and initiatives that impact student experiences at Bethel, including athletics, Bethel Student Government (BSG), Campus Wellbeing, disability resources and services, residence life, and more. The student life staff delights in being with students, and we are honored to have the privilege to help them grow intellectually, spiritually, and relationally. We encourage you to read more about the areas that encompass student life, keeping in mind that all of these efforts provide transformational and formational development.
ATHLETICS
In striving for competitive excellence, Bethel University Athletics seeks to develop and strengthen the student athletes who have been entrusted to us. The 15 head coaches who lead our 18 sports teams do a tremendous job of team building and are committed to forming a culture that reinforces the core values of our institution. Bethel is part of the Minnesota Independent Athletic Conference (MIAC), which is one of the premier athletic conferences in the NCAA Division III. Thirteen Minnesota institutions make up the MIAC, with six of the schools located in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Our on-campus facilities include a competition gym, field house with 200-meter running track, football stadium with separate practice field, baseball stadium, softball field, soccer complex with a designated team room for the men’s and women’s teams next to the field, six tennis courts, designated locker room space for all 500 of our student athletes, and a state-ofthe-art Wellness Center. Our hockey teams have designated locker rooms 11 miles from campus at the National Sports Center, where we practice and play our home games. All regular season athletic events are free for students.
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BETHEL STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Bethel Student Government (BSG) offers robust opportunities for students to build community by getting involved on campus. BSG is a student-run organization composed of eight departments. One branch of the government—Student Activities—hosts weekly events for students that are often free or low cost. Additionally, BSG sponsors 30+ clubs spanning academics, athletics, and special interest areas. Other BSG initiatives include spiritual development opportunities, intentional programs for commuters and residents, and hundreds of leadership experiences for students. These opportunities help shape students in their growth—allowing them to develop relationships with others and providing insight into the ways God has uniquely gifted them.
CAMPUS WELLBEING
At Bethel, we believe student wellbeing is influenced by the dynamic interplay between these dimensions of human functioning: physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, relational, and a sense of meaning. The Wellbeing Initiative works collaboratively with Bethel’s Wellness Center, Counseling Center, Health Services, and Campus Ministries to provide resources that cultivate health and wellbeing for all Bethel community members. Incoming students will take the new academic course entitled Introduction to Wellbeing, which assists them in establishing a framework for understanding and implementing a whole and holy lifestyle.
CULTURAL CONNECTION CENTER
The Cultural Connection Center is a Christ-centered multicultural community space in CC317 designed to promote understanding, friendship, and shalom. It is a Student Life space with an advisory team that includes students, faculty, staff, and administrators. The CCC is for all students.
DISABILITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES
We are committed to supporting students with disabilities to create equal access and opportunities to the university and its programs. If your student has a documented or suspected disability, please connect with our office to talk about accommodations or services that can help support them in their academic endeavors. Examples of accommodations include: testing in a reduced-distraction environment, having more time on exams, having access to class notes, assistive technology, flexibility on due dates and attendance, and using alternate texts. Our office offers weekly follow-up meetings for students. We also offer housing accommodations and can help students with the process of using an emotional comfort animal or service animal on campus. For more information, call 651.638.6833, or send an email to disability-services@bethel.edu.
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STUDENT CARE AND CONCERNS
The Office of Student Life is committed to helping students succeed in and out of the classroom. Our staff assist students in their personal growth through mentoring conversations, prayer, and encouragement. When student behavior causes concern, we respond in redemptive and restorative ways that help the individual and benefit the community. If your student experiences a difficult issue related to physical or emotional health, concerning behavior, or challenging circumstances, please encourage him or her to seek help by contacting our office or utilizing one of the many other resources, including Campus Ministries, Counseling Services, and Health Services.
RESIDENCE LIFE
As we seek to become whole and holy people, we understand that learning opportunities don’t just happen in the classroom. At Bethel, residence halls are more than just a place to sleep and study—they’re a place for students to connect with their peers, ask difficult questions, and step into adulthood. In the residence halls, social, spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual life blend together in a way that is unique from other campus environments. WHO WE ARE The Residence Life Leadership Team, made up of three deans and a housing specialist, provides support and direction with residence life programs and initiatives. Our eight resident directors (RDs) are full-time professional staff who live in each residence hall and help guide the residential learning experience. Four student assistant resident directors (ARDs ) serve in Arden Village, North Village, Lissner, and Nelson, and assist the RDs in guiding the residence hall. Resident assistants (RAs) are student staff who live and work in the residence halls. There are currently 63 RAs serving across campus. WHAT WE DO • Lend a listening ear • Answer questions about housing • Help students navigate roommate conflict • Connect students with resources on campus • Create space for students to engage in self-discovery • Help students learn about healthy interpersonal relationships • Guide students in practical life skills
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Off-Campus Programs/International Studies 651.638.6549 | study-abroad@bethel.edu | bethel.edu/off-campus-programs/
LEARNING OFF-CAMPUS
A well-educated person today must be prepared to deal with a rapidly changing, shrinking world where the ability to work with people from different backgrounds is essential. Off-campus programs provide one of the most effective ways of achieving the type of education for which Bethel University stands.
STUDY ABROAD
The international studies staff is eager to equip students with opportunities to grow culturally and academically by studying at a variety of global locations. In our increasingly interconnected world, these experiences give students an edge when seeking employment after graduation and are highly valued by employers. The study abroad staff gives students access to information on programs through approximately 25 providers in more than 80 countries, including domestic programs. Students will be able to find a program that best fits their major/minor needs and/or fulfills some of their general education requirements.
PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
JANUARY (INTERIM) PROGRAMS These month-long programs are typically led by one or two Bethel faculty. Interim programs can be done during any of the four years, assuming the student has met all prerequisites. Options typically include trips to Ecuador, Belize, Greece, Israel, and several multi-country European programs. The program fees for these courses, including all travel and program-related expenses, typically range from $3,000–$6,000. SEMESTER PROGRAMS Bethel offers five of its own semester programs: Kenya, Guatemala, Spain, England, and a multi-country Europe option. These programs are typically billed at a comprehensive fee equivalent to Bethel’s on-campus tuition, room, and board, which includes airfare. This makes for one of the most affordable opportunities students will ever have to take a large trip abroad. We have also formed vibrant partnerships with many organizations so students can choose from a variety of locations and academic courses. Students need to have at least sophomore status (sometimes by credit, sometimes by year) to participate. SUMMER PROGRAMS While Bethel does not offer any summer programs of its own, many of our partners offer a variety of options. Our office can help students connect to these opportunities. FAMILY GUIDEBOOK 11
Campus Ministries
651.638.6372 | campus-ministries@bethel.edu bethel.edu/undergrad/campus-ministries
WORSHIP EXPERIENCE
Bethel Chapel provides weekly opportunities for the Bethel community to gather in prayer and worship. Chapel is offered three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Though attendance is optional, many students, staff, and faculty regularly set aside this time to hear challenging messages and offer their praise through song. On Sunday nights, student-led Vespers is an additional and rich opportunity for students to join together in worship. Vespers is widely attended by Bethel students, families, faculty, staff, and others from the local community.
COMMUNTY OUTREACH
At Bethel, we seek to serve and give back to the local and greater Twin Cities community through outreach while gaining a deeper understanding of the world we live and worship in. Our Twin Cities outreach teams engage with over ten different programs and organizations—learning about complex issues and lending support to those in need. Student awareness groups are an opportunity for students wishing to learn more about biblical justice to get involved with initiatives and build awareness for a variety of mission fields.
MISSIONS TRIPS
We organize yearly Spring Break missions trips to a variety of national and international sites. The longstanding partnerships we have built in these communities foster both effective
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student serving and opportunities for students to learn and grow from people who are different than them.
PRAYER
From a weekly Chapel prayer team to our Pray First teams that cover specific ministry areas, prayer is an integral part of life at Bethel. Students are always welcome to come to Campus Ministries to receive prayer or submit a prayer request online. Prayer walks, vigils, and a prayer tent create further opportunities for the Bethel community to support one another and engage this important spiritual practice.
BIBLE STUDIES
We desire to create a culture of discipleship at Bethel where students journey with others toward Christ-likeness. For first-year students, we offer Shift. This weekly ministry is held on dorm floors and includes weekly small groups led by upperclassmen. For upper-class students, we offer two gender-specific ministries: Mighty Men and Rooted. These weekly ministries begin in large groups and break into small groups to discuss the Bible and relevant topics.
CHURCH
We encourage students to visit and attend a local church. Many local churches provide shuttle service to Bethel students. Information can be found in the online Directory of Churches in the Church Relations section of Bethel’s website.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BETHEL SIBS
LIVING THE
QUESTIONS LITTLE SIB WEEKEND March 2–3, 2018 Youth Theology Institute This fun spring weekend visit is designed for younger siblings of current Bethel students. Siblings must be 8–18 years old. LIVING THE QUESTIONS INSTITUTE Students in grades 10–12 are invited to reflect on faith questions, engage in meaningful service, and explore their calling during a 10-day summer residency followed by a 10-month leadership experience program.
LIVING THE
QUESTIONS Youth Theology Institute
Registration for the program is dependent upon completion of our online application and receipt of the $295 program fee. Learn more at bethel.edu/living-the-questions SUMMER CAMPS Bethel siblings of age 5–18 can get involved on campus through youth summer camps. Camps offered range from Bethel Business Catalyst Summer Institute to a wide range of athletic camps.
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Office of Academic Affairs
651.638.6800 | bethel.edu/undergrad/academic-affairs
Behind-The-Scenes Academic Support
The mission of the Office of Academic Affairs is to foster an educational environment, grounded in the Christian liberal arts, that leads to student success. While most students do not interact with our office directly, our work impacts their lives through the various academic components we are involved with.
Faculty and Curriculum
Bethel’s faculty are experts in their field and committed Christians. They want to help students develop the skills, knowledge, and ability that will lead to success while at Bethel as well as in life, work, and service after graduation. This is achieved through the implementation of a liberal arts education, which ensures students have the breadth of knowledge, critical thinking skills, and experience that equip them to engage with our rapidly changing world. All faculty have weekly office hours. Encourage your students to talk with their professors if there are things they don’t understand about their coursework or liberal arts training. Our faculty are excited about teaching in a university that promotes holistic growth and learning and are well-equipped to address any concerns.
Academic Advising and Course Registration
A team of faculty advisors creates the schedule for students their first semester at Bethel. The schedule takes into account the information students have submitted about preferences for majors and general education courses, the number of credits students prefer to take, and any credits they have transferred to Bethel. Students are assigned an academic advisor before classes begin. After their first semester at Bethel, students consult with their advisors but register themselves. Registration takes place in November for Interim and Spring and in April for the next fall. The academic catalog lists all requirements for majors, general education, and other graduation requirements. It also includes our academic policies. The catalog is available in print form and online. Students can use our digital portal (Blink) to access their academic records, including transcripts and a degree evaluation. The degree evaluation shows students the requirements they have already met and ones they still need to meet.
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Technology and Academics
Most faculty use a course management tool called Moodle where students will find their course syllabus, information about assignments, class resources, and discussion forums. Students should check Moodle at least once between class meetings. We are committed to students’ academic success. When students are not doing well in a course, faculty submit course progress reports to Beacon, Bethel’s early alert system. Students receive a copy of the course progress report through their Bethel email account. A member of our student success team may follow up with students who are struggling in more than one class. Students should check their Bethel email regularly to ensure they are receiving such important communication.
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2017–2018 ACADEMIC CALENDAR FALL SEMESTER 2017 EVENT DATE Welcome Week August 23–27 Residence halls open (new students) August 24 Residence halls open at 9 a.m. (returning students) August 25 Classes begin August 28 Labor Day (no classes) September 4 Last day to add/drop a first-half or full-term course September 5 Last day to withdraw from a first-half course October 6 Homecoming October 6–8 Fall Break October 13 Advising Day (no day classes; night classes are held) October 25 Last day to add/drop a second-half course October 26 Family Weekend November 3–5 Registration for Interim and Spring November 7, 9, 13, 15 Last day to withdraw from a full-term course November 17 Thanksgiving Break (Tuesday night classes are held) November 22–24 Festival of Christmas Nov. 30–Dec. 2 Last day to withdraw from a second-half course December 1 Last day of classes December 8 Final examinations December 11, 12, 14, 15 Study Day December 13 Commencement Luncheon December 15 Commencement December 15 Residence halls close at noon December 16 Christmas Break December 18–January 1
INTERIM SEMESTER 2018 EVENT DATE Residence halls open at noon January 2 Classes begin January 3 Last day to add a course January 4 Last day to drop a course January 5 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no classes) January 15 Last day to withdraw from a course January 19 Last day of classes January 25
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2017–2018 ACADEMIC CALENDAR SPRING SEMESTER 2018 EVENT DATE Classes begin January 31 Last day to add/drop a first-half or full-term course February 7 Last day to withdraw from a first-half course March 9 Residence halls close at noon March 10 Spring Break March 12–16 Residence halls open at noon March 18 Good Friday (no classes) March 30 Monday after Easter (no classes) April 2 Last day to add/drop a second-half course April 6 Registration for Summer and Fall classes April 9, 11, 18, 19 Advising Day April 11 Grandparents Day April 20 Last day to withdraw from a full-term course April 20 Last day to withdraw from a second-half course May 11 Last day of classes May 18 Final examinations May 21, 22, 24, 25 Study Day May 23 Senior Celebration May 25 Family Dinner May 25 Commencement May 26 Residence halls close for returning students at noon May 26 Residence halls close for graduating seniors at 1 p.m. May 27
SUMMER SCHOOL 2018 EVENT DATE Term A start date (Term end dates vary by course) May 29 Term B start date (Term end dates vary by course) June 20
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Academic Enrichment & Support Center 651.638.6416 | bethel.edu/undergrad/academics/support
THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF PARENTS
The Academic Enrichment & Support Center (AESC) team believes every student admitted to Bethel has the potential to be successful in a future vocation and/or calling. That’s why we provide free tutoring and other resources that empower students to achieve academic success. However, your support is critical in helping your student navigate college academic demands and complete a four-year degree.
WHAT DOES FAMILY SUPPORT LOOK LIKE?
These formative years teach students to be fully responsible for themselves and their actions as they navigate challenging coursework and discover their passions, interests, and abilities. This process isn’t easy. Students often comment on the increased need for critical thinking and analysis in college. Most have to learn new study strategies or better time management skills. As a parent, one of the most critical ways you can prepare your student for collegiate success is by helping him or her process major differences between high school and college. Begin by reviewing the following chart, and consider dialoguing with your student about specific differences that you think will present a challenge.
High School
College
Time/schedule
Structured and sequential. Typically a daily routine that is stable and predictable.
Unstructured. Students are responsible for getting up, going to class, managing priorities, and getting to bed at a reasonable hour. School is a full time job—40–45 hours/week with attending class and studying 2–3 hours for each credit hour.
Freedom
Student freedom is usually dictated by scheduled activities and parental guidelines.
Students make their own choices about how to use their time. There are no curfews at Bethel.
Study skills and time management
Students do not learn to apply study and time management skills extensively in most high school experiences.
All students need some type of time management skills at the college level, and most will need to learn effective study skills to prepare for challenging exams and increased amounts of reading and homework.
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High School
College
Students live at home Living with with family. They develop roommates established routines and know how to resolve conflict within their family structure.
Close contact with a roommate(s) encourages students to develop new relationships. Students must learn to negotiate routines and manage conflict with their peers.
Guidance counselors plot out Counseling/ the four-year curriculum with advising students. Parents may also be involved.
Students make appointments with academic advisors every semester and should be prepared prior to each meeting. It is up to the student to correctly map out their course of study, but advisors and offices are available to help.
Academics Students may be able to earn good grades with minimal effort. Classwork is evenly distributed throughout the semester. Students are given detailed instructions and support for major papers and projects.
Students may find that college is more rigorous and expectations are higher. Course work tends to be backloaded, meaning there may be more work in the second half of the semester. Students must seek assistance and clarification if they don’t understand major assignments.
Parents, teachers, and counselors advocate for individual students. Parents frequently intercede in problematic situations and are able to bring about resolution.
Students must learn to advocate for themselves by asking for help when they need it and taking advantage of university support services and resources. Parents are not able to make appointments on behalf of a student.
Advocacy
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WAYS TO PARTNER WITH YOUR STUDENT • Ask questions about your student’s experience, learning about the unique challenges and opportunities facing college students today. • Develop awareness of the support services available to students and encourage your student to identify their need(s) and seek out assistance. • Understand your role as a mentor and promote self-advocacy by empowering your student to make decisions independently. • Allow your student to accept responsibility for personal errors, to examine his or her motivations, determine a solution, and establish a different action plan for the future. • Understand and encourage your student to put aside additional time as he or she adjusts to the college learning curve—juggling academic, social, and work demands. We encourage students to limit work hours to 15 hours per week, or fewer if possible. Studies at Bethel have shown that students’ grades tend to drop by a letter grade if working 20+ hours per week. • Encourage students to seek out faculty and ask questions, talking to them before or after class or during office hours. Faculty desire to get to know students and want your student to succeed. • Know and understand your limitations to access student records, as delineated in Bethel’s FERPA policy (Family Education Rights Privacy Act, 1974).
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Career Development and Calling
651.635.2470 | career-development@bethel.edu | bethel.edu/career-development
THE VALUE OF CAREER COUNSELING
We recognize that a Bethel education is a huge investment, which is why we want to partner with you to ensure your investment yields a valuable return. The Office of Career Development and Calling strives to provide royal care in supporting your student with tools and opportunities that promote growth throughout his/her time here and success in life beyond Bethel. Our staff facilitates conversations about career discernment, strategic planning towards calling, and skill building in acquiring career opportunities. We provide a variety of services such as vocational assessments, resume/cover letter building skills, networking and internship strategies, and others that cater to needs of students and alumni in various stages of their career journey.
HOW YOU CAN PARTNER WITH US
• Encourage your student to visit our office. Research at Bethel supports that those who visit the Office of Career Development and Calling are 25 percent more likely to graduate than all students. We instill a sense of confidence in students and prepare them for career success after graduation—facilitating connections with other alums working in their desired field and helping to identify job opportunities. • Create space for your student to talk about career uncertainties. Remind him or her that it isn’t necessary to plan out a whole career path while still in college. • Emphasize the value of earning outside experience. Students who have multiple internships on their resume often stand out to employers. Internships give students an opportunity to explore their prospective field, build critical skills, and network. Encourage your student to pursue career-relevant internships as early as the summer after sophomore year to maximize opportunities for growth.
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Health Services
651.638.6215 | health-services@bethel.edu | bethel.edu/health-services
OUR SERVICES
Caring, compassionate, and experienced clinicians are available for your students in our campus medical clinic. A nurse practitioner, nutritionist, family practice physician, and registered nurses can help your student get well and stay well. Our clinicians can book up fast. Appointment scheduling is encouraged for the nurse practitioner and the nutritionist. Walk-in service is available for the RNs and our campus physician (on campus Thursday mornings, 7:30–8:30 a.m.).
MEDICAL INSURANCE AND INFORMATION
Your student should carry a current medical insurance card to present to Health Services at the time of an office visit. Health Services will accept most types of insurance plans; however, we are a contracted provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medica, and HealthPartners. If you have medical insurance from out of state, you should check with your insurance plan to see if they will accept claims from Bethel Health Services. Due to confidentiality laws, we cannot release any medical information about your student unless they sign a Release of Information form, available in our office or online.
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Counseling Services
651.635.8540 | bethel.edu/counseling-services
WHAT WE DO
Life can be tough. And life while going to school can sometimes be tougher! Bethel’s Counseling Services offers the support, encouragement, and guidance students need whenever they may need it. Staffed with trained professionals, our clinic offers a wide range of counseling and consultation options for undergraduate and graduate students.
INDICATORS YOUR STUDENT MIGHT BENEFIT FROM COUNSELING • Persistent feeling of sadness or depression • Increase in general feeling of irritability • Difficulty concentrating or focusing • Thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or harming someone else • Difficulty sleeping • Excessive worry • Panic attacks • Not keeping up with academics or self-care •Difficulty keeping good boundaries in relationships
COMMONLY ADDRESSED ISSUES • Self-image • Family relationships • Relationships (e.g., friends, dating) • Premarital and marital relationships • Anxiety, depression, anger • Sexuality • Homesickness • Eating disorders • Health and wellness issues • Chemical abuse • Sexual abuse • Finances • Spirituality and faith • Learning difficulties
COUNSELING FORMAT
Students can meet with a counselor one-on-one or with their family, their roommate, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or even a group of friends—whatever they are most comfortable with and is appropriate for the situation. Services are free to all undergraduate students.
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Business Office
651.638.6208 | business-office@bethel.edu | bethel.edu/business-office
MONTHLY STATEMENTS
Around the seventeenth of each month, an email is sent to students’ Bethel email addresses alerting them that their monthly statement is available to view online. Monthly statements will not be mailed to parents or others who are helping to pay their bill. Students are responsible to forward statement information to those who are helping to pay their bill.
KEY DATES AND DEADLINES
August 15, 2017 • Full payment for Fall semester due • Enrollment in 10-month payment plan and first installment due January 15, 2018 • Full payment for Interim/Spring due • Enrollment in five-month payment plan (unless already enrolled in the 10-month plan) and first installment due • Enrollment Checklist for new/transfer students due for Spring 2018 semester
AUTHORIZED USERS IN THE BILL PAYMENT SYSTEM
If a student would like to give a parent access to view their student account, enroll in the payment plan, and make online payments, the student will need to authorize the parent(s) as a user. Students can grant authorization to other users through Blink. Once authorized, you will be sent an email with further instructions on how to access information.
U.S. BANK PARTNERSHIP
Your student’s identification card can be linked to a U.S. Bank checking account. Bethel is part of a program that allows students to withdraw money from an on-campus ATM using only their Bethel identification card. For more information, visit: usbank.com/student-banking/bethel-university
QUESTIONS?
Your students’ financial aid counselor is the go-to point of contact for all financial aid questions. Our office can help connect students to their counselor and answer questions. Keep in mind that privacy laws may prevent us from speaking directly with parents regarding certain information.
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Financial Aid
651.638.6241 | finaid@bethel.edu | bethel.edu/financial-aid
STUDENT RECORDS
Privacy laws change when a student enters school at the college level. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), college students are considered responsible adults and are allowed to determine who can access information about their student records (billing, financial aid, academics, etc.). Consequently, we are prohibited from sharing financial aid award information with students’ parents, spouse, or other third party. Bethel has provided a way for your student to authorize others to view such information. This process is called proxy access. Your student can create a proxy on their account through the financial aid website.
FINANCIAL AID POLICIES
Please be aware there are financial aid policies that may impact your students’ financial aid eligibility. • Students need to be enrolled full-time (12 credits or more per semester) to receive most of their grants and scholarships. • The Minnesota State Grant amount can vary each semester if the student is enrolled in less than 15 credits. • Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress to be able to maintain financial aid eligibility at Bethel. • Outside assistance such as scholarships or military benefits may impact the amount of institutional gift aid, student employment, or loans a student may receive.
DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS
There are additional institutional scholarships available to current students who will return the next academic year. Faculty and staff select the students in their department to receive these scholarships. Both need-based and merit scholarships are available. Students must be full-time, in good standing, and working toward their first bachelor’s degree. Student must complete a separate online application through their Blink account. This application is only available between early December and February 10 each year.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Sometimes special circumstances limit what you can handle financially and are not factored in when you apply for financial aid. If your family has experienced reduced income or unusual and non-discretionary expenses, consider submitting an online appeal for additional financial aid.
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Dining Services
651.638.6015 | sodexo@bethel.edu | bethel.edu/dining-services
SODEXO AT BETHEL UNIVERSITY
When you and your family eat at Bethel University, you will dine well! Bethel has been in partnership with external food service provider Sodexo for 35 years.
MONSON DINING CENTER
The Monson Dining Center, located on the third level of the Brushaber Commons, is Bethel University’s main restaurant. Open during most of the school day, students can choose from any (and more than one) of our nine stations, from the salad bar to made-to-order pasta or stir fry.
3900 GRILL
Our take-out restaurant, the 3900 Grill, is located outside the Monson Dining Center. Here you can order hot items like burgers, pasta, and paninis, and our chefs will cook your food fresh and put it in a to-go box.
ROYAL GROUNDS
Our school coffee shop is called The Royal Grounds. Here we serve Caribou coffee, our own specialty drinks, NRgize smoothies, and freshly squeezed juices. We also sell cold to-go items like sandwiches and salads, and baked goods, such as Bruegger’s bagels, house made scones, seven-layer bars, and even birthday cakes.
CAMPUS NUTRITION SPECIALIST
If your student has food sensitivity or special dietary needs, please see Tammi Mild (t-mild@bethel.edu) in the Campus Services office to discuss your unique situation. Katie Callahan (k-callahan@bethel.edu), our campus nutrition specialist, is also available to help students with questions about healthy eating in college and beyond. Katie is available for one-on-one appointments.
MINDFUL
We encourage students to eat intentionally and know what they are putting into their body. Mindful icons on our menus in the Monson Dining Center and 3900 Grill help direct them toward healthier meal options. We also identify items that are gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, whole grain, organic, and local.
ECO-CONTAINERS
Reduce, reuse, recycle. Our reusable eco-containers save waste from landfills. Plus, students who use these containers save a little on their orders from the 3900 Grill. See a 3900 Grill cashier for details.
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ROYAL GARDEN
We have our own local garden, and every year we feature produce from our garden in our menu! Look for the green bicycle logo on our menus for a campus-grown option in the Monson Dining Center.
ROYAL HONEY HIVE
Through a partnership with the University of Minnesota Bee Squad, we have joined the movement to protect dying honeybees across the U.S. Check out our twin honey hives just north of the seminary buildings and look for sweet honey treats all year.
CITYKID JAVA
We are proud to serve CityKid Java in the 3900 Grill. CityKid Java not only tastes great, but is Rainforest Alliance certified and puts 100% of profits into developing underprivileged communities in Minneapolis.
THOUSAND HILLS CATTLE CO.
We support local businesses with environmentally friendly practices. Thousand Hills uses holistic planned grazing and humane animal handling to create grass-fed beef. Look for it in the 3900 Grill.
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Stay Connected
651.638.6462 | 800.255.8706 ext. 6462 | parents@bethel.edu
JOIN US FOR SPECIAL EVENTS
Parents and families are invited to join us for concerts, theater productions, athletic events, senior symposiums, and meals throughout the year. See a full schedule of events at bethel.edu/events
GET INVOLVED MOMS IN PRAYER Join with other moms in prayer for Bethel students, faculty, and staff. Choose from three different Moms in Prayer groups: an email group for those unable to meet in person and two on-campus groups that meet twice a month throughout the school year. Visit bethel.edu/moms-in-prayer for information. OFFICE OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND CALLING Got a job or an internship at your place of work that a Bethel student might fill? Willing to share your expertise? We’d love to hear from you. Contact the Office of Career Development and Calling at bethel.edu/career-development/contact
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CONNECT WITH YOUR STUDENT ORDER A TREAT Custom gift bags, freshly baked goods, Campus Store gift cards, and annual Valentine’s Day gifts are available to order for your student online. Visit bethel.edu/parents/resources/connect/treats SEND LETTERS AND CARE PACKAGES Students love mail! Address letters and care packages to your student like this: Student Name MSC XXXX Bethel University 3900 Bethel Drive St. Paul MN 55112-6999
STAY INFORMED BETHEL PARENT ENEWSLETTER The Bethel Parent eNewsletter is our primary means of sharing campus news and events with families. Watch for the newsletter to arrive in your inbox four times a year. Make sure we have your current info: bethel.edu/parents/contact/update
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NOVEMBER 3–5, 2017
FAMILY WEEKEND SAVE THE DATE
Join us for a weekend for students and their families to experience campus life together. For more information on Family Weekend and Grandparents Day, visit bethel.edu/parents/events
APRIL 20, 2018 6th Annual
GRANDPARENTS DAY SPREAD THE WORD
Grandparents are invited to campus for a special day with their grandkids.
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3900 Bethel Drive | St. Paul, Minnesota 55112-6999 651.638.6400 | bethel.edu 32 FAMILY GUIDEBOOK