Inspired by theSkimm, longer than the E-announcements, created with your short attention span in mind.   

By Jaimee Hood

It’s hard to believe, but Bethel students enter week four of virtual learning this week. And as of Monday, there are 33 days between now and the official last day of finals. We can do this—but only together. 

Things feel heavy

The looming faculty cut announcement is casting a tangible shadow over the week to come. In December, it was announced that 30 staff positions would be cut by May 2020 as part of the university’s plan to balance a projected $11 million budget deficit. This week, amidst uncertainty and confusion fueled by the global health crisis, the community will find out who—and which programs—will take the hit.

In an email sent to faculty and staff on April 9, Provost Debra Harless shared how scheduled faculty position elimination conversations would move forward given the virtual work environment.

When will staff know? 

On Tuesday, April 21, deans will contact their department chairs to let them know what positions and/or programs have been eliminated.  

Conversations with faculty whose positions have been eliminated will also take place Tuesday. Those affected are allowed to share the news at their discretion. 

By Thursday, April 23, following the conclusion of these conversations and follow-up meetings, Harless said another email will be sent out to staff summarizing the number of positions affected and the types of changes being made. In this email, in order to uphold their privacy, faculty will not be listed by name. 

When will I know if my favorite professor got cut?

It’s tough to say. Faculty and staff will be grieving in different ways this coming week. The Clarion will be posting updates as they come. The next community gathering will be Thursday April 30. 

If only college-level Wii Bowling was a thing…

We wouldn’t be so sports-deprived at this moment in history. D3 Wii Tennis? Or maybe that one game in Wii Sports Resort where you try to box each other off of a cliff?

Maybe someday in the not-so-distant future, e-sports will make their Bethel debut. In the meantime, though, the university athletics department is finding ways to celebrate real  student-athletes even when they can’t be in the gym or on the field. 

Celebrating D3 Week at Bethel

Last week, along with the rest of the NCAA Division III institutions across the country, Bethel celebrated “D3 Week.” 

Several stories were published highlighting student-athlete career success stories, outreach opportunities student-athletes engaged in and the two Royals who were awarded the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for Fall 2019. 

Associate athletic director Gretchen Hunt said Bethel strives to live out the D3 attribute of “Comprehensive learning: The opportunity for broad-based education and success.”

“You can’t go two feet without seeing the evidence for this on campus,” said Austin Lagesse, assistant sports information director.

Lagesse says the opportunities for hands-on learning at Bethel combined with the team environment prepare student-athletes for a career in virtually any field. Not all student-athletes get to study abroad in their off-season or during J-term, but many at Bethel have that option. 

In addition to athletics and academics, the emphasis on service within Bethel’s athletics department sets it apart.

“When we look at outreach activities it doesn’t just happen during this one week but during the entire year,” Lagesse said. “Our teams are constantly in the community helping others whether it’s packing meals at Feed My Starving Children, activities through Fellowship of Christian Athletes, canned food drives through SAAC or the Polar Plunge.

“All these opportunities from an academic standpoint combined with success on the field have prepared our student-athletes for their next steps,” Lagesse said. 

The full list of stories can be found on the Bethel Athletics website. 

Where were you at 4:37 last Tuesday?

Come on, you know exactly what you were doing. Just think. You could plead the fifth, or you could submit a photo to the newest photo series on the Clarion’s Instagram. Slide into our DM’s with your photos taken exactly at 4:37 p.m., and a caption that goes with them. Our designers will turn your photos into a magical scoll-y carousel and tag you. Instant five minutes of fame, and a reminder to slow down and savor the little mundane moments. Sounds like a win-win. (Don’t forget to follow us for daily news, lifestyle, sports and podcast content—yet another win).

And if you couldn’t schedule a virtual counseling appointment this week…

You can play this pep-talk from Michelle Obama on loop and pretend she’s your therapist.

Seriously, though.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone, and you can get help. If you are a Bethel student who lives in the state of Minnesota, Counseling Services is offering telehealth sessions through the venue of HIPAA-compliant Google Hangouts—you just need to call (651) 635-8540 or email [email protected]. 

What if I don’t live in Minnesota?

Although telehealth services are not available to those who don’t live in Minnesota at this time, you can still contact Counseling Services—they may be able to provide you with some resources to support your mental health wherever you are. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, refer to these resources.