News - page 2

Built in 1968, Nelson Hall is set to undergo its first extensive renovation this coming summer. By Zach Walker   The Bethel University freshmen currently residing in Nelson Hall are living like their parents. Sheltered by the same red and black brick walls, wandering around the same shack in the center of same lobby and peeling T-shirts away from sweat-covered skin caused by the same lack of air conditioning. These students are experiencing the Nelson of old, the Nelson of 1968. Come fall 2019, the decades-old dorm will feel like it was just built. Construction will begin the day after students leave for summer break. The idea is to create an open environment. Shack, which is currently placed in the center of the lobby, will be moved to the side of the building, creating more space for a community lounge. The closed-off kitchen will also be connected to this space.… Keep Reading

New club provides opportunity for Catholic students to gather and share faith By Emma Melling The room is quiet, the only sound a fan whirring in the distance. A group of six sits on wheeling chairs patterned with blue, green and brown. Hands raise to make the sign of the cross as junior Grace Nichols prays. “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” This is a meeting of Bethel’s new Catholic club, a space for Catholic students to gather, live life and talk about their shared faith. After trying to get the club off of the ground since spring of 2018, the club was finally passed and made official Oct. 29. Club leader, junior Grace Nichols, talked about why the club was started. “The heart behind creating this is that it’s hard to be Catholic at Bethel, for many reasons,” Nichols said. “You kind of feel casted… Keep Reading

Model UN prepared for its annual conference. By Lindsey Micucci Bethel University’s Model UN attended the American Model United Nations simulation conference in Chicago, Illinois Nov. 17-20, along with 90 universities from across the United States. The conference covered topics ranging from international security to environmental issues. In each committee, the goal is to work with other “countries” to create resolutions and solutions to the issue topic that’s being discussed. Although some schools see the conference as a competition, Mariah Marr, senior political science and international relations major and head delegate of Venezuela, emphasized the learning experience she sees from representing another country and taking the simulations seriously. According to Marr, all students are going into the conference with the goals of passing as many resolutions as possible and representing Bethel well. Last year, Bethel could only send 10 people to represent one country. This year, because of the spark… Keep Reading

A former BUILD student’s family is suing Bethel for disability discrimination. This year, a pilot program was initiated to incorporate BUILD students into CAS classes. By Emily Jan, Elena Vaughn and Maddie DeBilzan Local news outlets lauded Bethel University’s Inclusive Learning and Development (BUILD) program in 2016 for sending its first round of students through to graduation. The Star Tribune named it “one of only a few such programs in Minnesota to give students with intellectual disabilities a chance at college life.” But Nov. 14, Christopher and Jennifer Camota Luebke claimed that Bethel did not uphold its word and failed to follow state law when their son – who left Bethel last year – was not treated equally as a student with intellectual disabilities. The parents are suing Bethel for disability discrimination. The student of the family who sued, whose name was not released, attended Bethel’s BUILD program in the… Keep Reading

Students lose cameras, computers, and class time. By Zach Walker One facilities management cart, two men and a car. That’s all it took for more than $55,000 worth of media production equipment to be stolen from the communication studies department at Bethel University Nov. 6. The motive of the crime is still unknown, but the case is currently under open investigation by the Ramsey County Police Department. “The Office of Safety and Security is currently investigating the crime with multiple local law enforcement agencies,” Bethel Director of Risk Management Zachary Hill said. According to Hill, although the case remains partially unresolved, the robbery itself was caught on camera and the logistics and effects have been determined. “What we know about the incident is that the two unknown males entered campus in the evening… and spent a significant amount of time in the Johnson Art Gallery,” Hill said. On Nov. 7… Keep Reading

Recent executive turnover and innovative ideas discussed at community gathering By Jasmine Johnson The Underground echoed with the lyrics of happy birthday Tuesday morning as faculty and staff gathered for updated information from President Jay Barnes and the cabinet. The morale was lifted compared to the meeting two months earlier after the announcement of the budget cuts around campus. Barnes began the meeting by addressing the many staffing changes and temporary stand-ins within the cabinet. The search for a new Chief Enrollment Officer “proceeds more slowly than I wish,” Barnes said. Amidst all this change, Barnes also announced Senior Vice President for Advancement Mark Miles’ resignation from the university effective Dec. 15. He accepted a position as chief development officer in Seattle that is closer to his daughter’s family. Barnes asked Associate Vice President for Alumni and Family Relations and Advancement Operations Jim Bender to serve as the temporary chief… Keep Reading