Collegian - Vol 108, Issue 9 - Friday, March 13, 2020

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Student organization Editorial: Sleep should be a responds to Title IX convo priority for students

6

Major departmental changes come to Bethel

Friday, March 13, 2020 | Volume 108, Issue 9 | North Newton, KS

9

Trainer perspective on managing athletic injury

11

Professor provides insight on classroom story-telling

Sarah Balzer, senior from Inman, Yahaira Bates, senior from Sterling, and Krista Loomis, senior from Walton perform with the rest of the Bethel College Concert Choir on February 23 at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church. Photo by Lindsey Pfannenstiel

2 NEWS

Chapel to introduce strobe lights and smoke machines DRANNON LENOX Staff Writer

Many students and faculty are familiar with Bethel’s chapel experience, but Campus Pastor and Instructor of Bible and Religion Peter Goerzen is looking to make some changes. While many appreciate the chapel for its rustic charm, some may be excited to hear about new updates.

One of these changes is the addition of strobe lights and smoke machines. This will give

the chapel a fresher look and add a bit of modernity to its current traditional appeal.

“We were thinking that the building was built in 1887, it’s an old chapel. Maybe it’s time, after one hundred thirty-some years, to give it some updates,” Goerzen said.

Goerzen is hoping that these changes will make chapel just a little bit more hip. Another goal with these changes is to attract a broader audience of students to chapel services.

“We would hope that we would get more people coming to chapel, maybe a different crowd, maybe we get some new folks or folks who had a megachurch-type experience growing up,” Goerzen said.

The only downside of these upgrades is the potential risk of asthma-related injuries or seizures due to the smoke and flashing lights.

“There is some risk, but we hope the payoff will be worth it,” Goerzen said.

Goerzen is so invested in updating the chapel that he is considering making some changes in his own personal life.

“I’ve been toying around with the idea of updating my own wardrobe. My sweater vests and plaid have served me well for many years, but now I think it’s time for some ironic t-shirts, maybe some sweet v-necks, and factory-tattered jeans,” Goerzen said.

With the semester almost halfway over, there are still plenty

of exciting chapel services left.

Just before Easter is the Tenebrae chapel where the story of Jesus’s arrest, trial and crucifixion is told, while the chapel is slowly darkened to create a very powerful experience.

Some other upcoming chapels of note are the holy humor service after Easter and the last couple of chapels, which will be focused on the reflections from senior students and retiring staff members.

Student organization responds to Title IX convo controversy BETHANY POWLS Editor-in-Chief

Since its delivery on February 21, 2020, Bethel College President Jon Gering’s convocation entitled “A Campus Discussion on Sexual Assault” has become a widely discussed topic. In the convocation, Gering said that “I won’t promise any resolution today, but I hope what I’m able to say transforms the conversations into something more useful than what is currently taking place.”

Efforts have been made to transform Bethel’s Title IX policies since long before Gering’s convocation. One organization leading this charge is the studentled FemCore.

“Toward the beginning of the year, we sent out a survey about Title IX issues and how students felt about the system.

With those results and what we’ve got in conversation with other FemCore members, advisors and mentors, we put together a list of six things we would like to see Bethel implement,” Emma Beachy, sophomore from Kalona, Iowa, said.

“These included anonymous online reporting, exempting students from being mandated reporters, having up-to-date Title

IX resources in the handbook, making the Title IX coordinator position at least a half-time position, improving policy regarding outside perpetrators and the appeals process and administration conducting an annual survey to gather information about student Title IX experiences,” Anna Wiens, senior from Goessel, said.

When the administration did not meet with the representatives of the organization, they met twice with Sam Haynes, Director of Student Life and also with Title IX Coordinators, Bethany Charlsen, and later, Missy Green.

“When we met with them the first time we were hoping for ‘here’s our list of asks’. We met again at the beginning of February and we tried to make it clear that we would like a ‘Yes, the administration is going to look into this and it is something we would be interested in moving forward with,’ or a ‘No, this is not something we’re going to do,’ so we could take the next step. At that meeting, there was not an answer given, which was disappointing,” Wiens said.

The group later discovered that their requests had not been passed along to administration, but were able to present them to Gering himself during a postconvocation lunch meeting where

they were also able to address other concerns.

“We would appreciate if students were included because it’s good that we’re talking with the church and police and trying to find ways to address this, but students are the ones who are being affected by this and live this reality every day. It helps the students feel heard as well and helps us develop more trust in the administration because right now, there is no trust when it comes to Title IX and reporting sexual assault,” said Wiens.

The hope is to partner with a leadership organization in order to help make some of these goals a reality.

“We are in the midst of a conversation with SGA about collaborating on that. I’ve heard talk that we may be speaking with the Senate in the upcoming month or so to sort of say ‘these are some things we’ve been working on, and these are some issues we could collaborate on’. We are also hoping to possibly talk to the board in April, but that’s in progress,” Beachy said.

The main goal is communication between those who have ideas for change and those who can make them a reality.

“It’s been frustrating that

a lot of these conversations are getting lost in the bureaucracy of the administration and the board.

We just want to know who we can go to to get something changed.

It has been months since the Ted Mueller problem, and we can only talk about having conversations.

I’m not here to talk about having conversations, I’m here to have the conversation,” Wiens said.

For many, the convocation presentation by Jon Gering was a step in the right direction.

“The convo was definitely much more dialogue than we have

seen so far. However, it didn’t really feel as if there was responsibility taken on the part of the institution, which was frustrating,” Beachy said.

At this point, organizations like FemCore are ready to see Bethel College continue to meet federal guidelines for Title IX, but also do more than the bare minimum in order to protect students. For more on this, read Professor Emeritus of Psychology Dwight Krehbiel’s article, “Legal Compliance is Nothing if Survivors Can’t Trust Their Institutions.”

SGA Updates MARCH 8 MEETING - 87-032: a bill to match Parent’s Association donation - 87-037: a bill to confirm Ronald Gray to secretary for Diversity Affairs - 87-038: a bill to appoint Zach Esau to the position of Junior Senator - 87-041: a bill to make yearly payments to SGA’s debt - 87-042: a bill to allocate more money to SAC - 87-043: a bill to move the dates of election procedures *As always, these meetings are open to the student body SGA Number: (316)-804-8234

OPINION 3

Students should take steps to balance sleep and life WORD ON THE STREET WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON KANSAS WEATHER? Greg White

FIFTH-YEAR “It’s less humid than back in San Antonio, but it feels cold all the time. The snow can be cool if you’re making a snowman, but it’s also super cold.”

Terrel Marshall

SENIOR

“Honestly, it sucks. Kansas weather is so much more inconsistent than back home in Tulsa [Okla.].”

Victoria Riddick

JUNIOR

“The wind is insane, but it’s not that cold here. New Mexico is more cold during the winter. I love the humidity here, it’s super dry in New Mexico.”

Mariah Vallejo

FIRST-YEAR

“It is way more windy and cold here than in Fort Worth [Okla.]. We don’t get snow back home.

Snow sucks.”

Madi Harkins is a first-year forensic scienceVEmajor and is the R CO entertainment/photo editor for the DIS Collegian.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Collegian will accept letters of up to 250 words. The editor reserves the right to reject or edit letters for purposes of clarity, good taste and accuracy, and to prevent libel. Letters attacking a private individual will not be permitted. Anonymous letters also will not be accepted. Letters must include a signature, address, and phone number. Before letters to the editor are printed, contributors will be contacted to verify their submission.

EMAIL: collegian@bethelks.edu

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As college students, we have all mastered the art of napping, but when it comes to sleeping, we seem to struggle. Naps have become almost second nature. If you have a chunk of time before your next class: nap time! Tired after practice: nap time! 10 whole minutes between convocation and lunch: nap time! I think it’s safe to say that we probably spend a good chunk of our free time just napping.

If we like sleeping so much, why is it so hard for us to do it at night? There could be (and are) hundreds of reasons for why we do this and several studies to support them. However, no matter the reason, getting enough sleep is important to the college lifestyle (and life in general) and should be taken very seriously.

I am constantly hearing other students talk about why they didn’t get much sleep the night before.

One of the most common reasons

hanging out with friends, it is always good to set a curfew for yourself so it won’t be so hard to get up in the morning.

I’ve also heard and understand the struggle of not being able to sleep because of things beyond your control. If your roommate is loud or has lights on when you are trying to sleep that can be difficult, especially if you don’t get along well. In a situation like this, you can always confide in your CA if it ever gets to a point where you can’t take it. It’s also hard to sleep when people in the dorm hallways are being loud because they don’t recognize the fact that they are up late and others are trying to sleep. This is an issue of respect and should be considered by all members of residence halls.

Regardless of your situation, sleep is a necessity because it helps maintain good physical and mental health. It is how your body can repair and heal itself. It is also very important for our brains to get the rest we need so they can maintain healthy functions. This is particularly important for a campus full of students striving to fill the expectations of “Bethel busy.” We should all try our best to give our bodies the eight hours of sleep a night they require. It’s a simple task that our bodies ask for!

Bring in this advertisement for

MADI HARKINS Entertainment/Photo Editor

I hear is that they stayed up late studying or doing homework.

Some see this as a good answer for why they were up late, but in reality, it was probably procrastination that led to this.

Procrastination is not our friend. Procrastination can lead to extra stress, a drop in grades, and of course, lack of sleep. If you know you have a test coming up, a good way to prevent staying up late the night before the exam is to set up certain times and/or goals for your studying throughout the week when you can focus on your coursework. This way you can get your full eight hours (yes, that is how much we need) of sleep each night while not exhausting your brain before for the test.

Other reasons for staying up late that I’ve heard are partying, hanging out and talking with friends, watching TV and spending a lot of time on a phone. These can all cause a lack of sleep for students.

Those who are addicted to their phones may not only stay up late on it, but, because of suppressed melatonin, find that they can’t sleep when they want to after putting their phone away.

Melatonin is the hormone that basically tells you when you are sleepy or not. The blue light from your phone actually messes with it. This light can also come from the TV, which is why it can be more difficult to sleep after binge watching your favorite show.

As for being out late or

4 OPINION

THRESHPECTIVES : staff writers share their perspectives Should students be mandated reporters?

**TRIGGER WARNING: THESE ARTICLES INCLUDE REFERENCES TO CHILD ABUSE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT**

Student mandated reporters are beneficial to campus

The school is isolating sexual assault victims

In the crazy children and do other inappropriate and broken world things without that accountability. we live in today, Being a mandated reporter creates a people do some safer environment for those involved very disrespectful in those relationships and everyone deeds. else on campus. It creates a win-win These things situation. often happen in The only issue with being a places where we mandated reporter is that you may least expect it. report something that may not be JOHN HANSBERRY Sometimes they considered severe. This can create a Staff Writer happen on our tense and scary situation for those campus at Bethel who report. They don’t want to be the College. Due to this, I think all “snitch.” While this is a good argument workers should be mandated reporters. against having mandated reporters, By definition, a mandated reporter I don’t think that it is completely is a person who, accurate.

People because of his or her need to stand up for profession, is legally what is right, even required to report if it can put them “Being a mandated any suspicion of child in compromising abuse or neglect to the reporter creates a safer situations. relevant authorities. environment for those For safety, Furthermore, they reporters might involved in those report any disclosure want to have a way relationships and of harm to or against to anonymously everyone on campus...” submit specific persons. concerns I think that and reports. This all types of people way, people don’t should report these have to feel scared or interactions.

Child threatened to report abuse and neglect are at an all time bad conduct on campus. If you think high these days. that you are ever threatened by anyone “In the United States, more than on campus, please take the necessary 4 children die from child abuse and precautions to keep yourself safe, neglect on a daily basis,” Child Help whether that be sticking with friends, said. talking to student life, calling the “90% of child sexual abuse victims police and other solutions. know the perpetrator in some way.

Overall, mandated reporters create 68% are abused by a family member”, a better campus for everyone. Without the US Department of Justice said. mandated reporters, people would These statistics are startling. They have more of an initiative to continue tell us that sexual abuse and child to violate community standards on neglect are prevalent in American Bethel’s campus. Student workers culture. They are common occurrences should continue to be mandated and we need to help stop these evils reporters. from happening on our campus.

If we didn’t have mandated reporters, we would be in a bad John Hansberry is a junior business place. We would have people living major and a staff writer for the with no accountability. People would Collegian. continue to catcall women, abuse their

Currently, friends in confidence, since those every student students are probably mandated employed by reporters and are required to report to Bethel College higher authorities. is a mandated If they do tell a friend who has an reporter.

This on-campus job, the friend is left with means that as a another difficult series of choices. They Bethel College can either not report the assault and employee, possibly be held legally liable, or they students are can report it and betray the confidence CHARLOTTE required by law to of their friend.

EHRMANN report any instance Because of this, the school is forcing Copy Editor of misconduct or ill sexual assault survivors to deal with will they see or hear about on Bethel’s their trauma without the help of their campus. This policy of forcing students peers. This isolation can potentially be to be mandated reporters is problematic as just as detrimental to the health of for a few reasons. the student as the intial The first reason is trauma. that student workers are The only solution currently not informed then is to reevaluate “The school is about the policy well the policy that makes enough or even at all in forcing sexual assault student workers order to understand the survivors to deal with mandated reporters. legal liability tied to it. theird trauma without This issue was This means that if you briefly brought up at the help of their have an on-campus job President Gering’s first peers...” and you do not report convocation, but it was a sexual assault that sort of dismissed. you know something Instead of about, then you could dismissing this difficult be held legally liable. topic, the school board This can seem threatening to students, needs to take immediate action in order particularly those who find themselves to give sexual assault survivors the best unknowingly in situations where they resources possible. should report, but are not aware that There is no excuse. This policy not they should. only isolates these students, but it forces I don’t know about you, but when I students to be held legally responsible signed my student contract for my on- for the school’s mishandling of sexual campus jobs, I was not informed about assault policies. Students are already this policy at all. It is extremely unfair to stressed about graduating and earning hold someone legally liable for a policy money. Legal ramifications should not that they were not properly informed on. be added to this list.

The second reason that this policy is extremely problematic has to do with the fact that it isolates survivors of sexual Charlotte Ehrmann is a sophomore assault. history/political science and Since most people have on-campus psychology major and the news jobs, that means most people are editor for the Collegian. mandated reporters. So if someone is sexually assaulted on campus, they have one of two choices.

Many probably cannot tell their

FEATURES 5

Community weighs the pros and cons of being “Bethel Busy”

As the first half of the spring semester comes to a close, students Antonino Mangiapane, exchange student from Wuppertal, and Krista Loomis, junior from Walton, hurriedly study for midterms on top of participating in student life and other extracurricular activities. Photo by Carmen Ariza Romero

JADIN KALTENBACH Opinion Editor

A college or university is an institution that people attend in order to further their education with the intention to receive a degree and begin a career.

Institutions all across the United States are filled with students of different ages, economic status, gender identifications, races and sexual orientations. Classrooms are overflowing with (hopeful) future actors and actresses, athletes, business persons, doctors, engineers, intellectuals, musicians, nurses, politicians, teachers and so many more personalized career paths.

Studies have shown that depending on the individual, the collegiate experience is almost always filled with hills and valleys.

The average college student will experience successes and failures within their allotted time at their chosen institutions(s), some of which are more manageable than others. Students, depending on their personal choices, are expected to juggle studies, extra curriculars,

relationships, employment, and fun: this is the “complete college experience.”

Bethel College is no exception. While in attendance at this institution, full-time students are expected to firstly manage 12-16 credit hours per semester, while also being involved in other activities and/or opportunities.

This credit requirement is being adjusted to a 12-18 range, which is something that students attempting to cram everything they can into their schedules will be sure to take advantage of. The extremely high expectations and standards that the institution (and community) holds its members too has been coined by some as the “Bethel busy” environment.

“I cringe everytime I hear that phrase. This is a campus where 90 percent of students are overachievers. It’s about the wholesome experience. It’s about the music, it’s about the sports, it’s about the student activities and getting that college experience.

It’s exploring the world on many different facets, but the expectation is extremely high,” Jill Hoopes,

director of student wellness, said.

Ellie Bradley, sophomore from Newton, conducted a study here at the Bethel College, specifically in relation to the Bethel busy environment on campus and its effect on the student body.

“From my understanding, the general idea of ‘Bethel busy’ is that, because we are such

a small campus, we are often encouraged to do as many things as is physically possible, and that if you aren’t as busy as your peers you aren’t getting enough done,” Bradley said.

When asked what brought her to study this topic, Bradley had a few different influences.

“Mental health in general, and certain environments, has always been something that impacts me.

I think a lot of people don’t realize that burn out can lead to a lot more psychological effects. Within my first year at Bethel, I found myself burnt out just a few months in and I saw the same thing with a lot of my upperclassmen friends as well,” Bradley said.

This concept has directly affected a mass majority of the campus’ student body, whether they are familiar with the term or not.

Some students disclosed that their lives had been overtaken by a concept that Bradley called “competitive stress.” In order to take back control of the narrative, these students had to dial back and reprioritize their schedules in order to allow for more physical and mental health self care.

Others have learned to cope with the stress by making jokes about their current situations.

“Your satisfaction is based on your standards, so if you aren’t satisfied just lower your standards,” Angus Siemens, senior from Newton, said.

As a researcher, Bradley stated that, in order to conquer the negative outcomes that are attached to the “Bethel busy” culture at this institution, all persons involved need to be held accountable, including the institution and its workers.

“I would say the most important thing is to start holding our institutions accountable as well as holding our professors accountable. There is a difference between having a tough class or being a strict instructor and being one who doesn’t care about students well being, using scare tactics to make them do better and having one class push them to the point of breakdown. Keep the conversation about mental health alive, we shouldn’t just talk about it in extremes. Take care of each other. Do things for yourself,” Bradley said.

THE BETHEL COLLEGE COLLEGIAN

6 FEATURES

Changes coming to Bethel to accommodate for budget cuts BETHANY POWLS Editor-in-Chief

As a result of budget cuts made

by Bethel College in order to meet the accreditation standards of the Higher Learning Commission, many of the college’s departments have made significant changes to key majors or components of their degrees.

Some departments were required to cut or consolidate majors offered in order to reduce credits, while some programs have been cut entirely as a result of staff reduction.

For the science department, adapting to these changes was key in order to keep a chemistry-related major intact.

“We were asked to cut the equivalent of 1 class per year from our major. Since the upper level courses are offered every other year, this was the equivalent of two courses.

The major as it currently is structured barely has the minimum courses required for a student to be well prepared in chemistry. In addition, our upper level chemistry courses typically have enrollments of less than 10 students. So, in order to keep the chemistry major, we needed to find a method to attract more students,” Kathryn Layman, professor of chemistry and physics, said.

The chemistry major has evolved into the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major. This new major is designed to prepare students, by having more of an emphasis on biology, for careers that they already wish to pursue.

“The Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major would enable students to

more easily complete a major while focusing on the prerequisites for professional health schools, and provides a balanced approach to both chemistry and biology. Plus, we are keeping some of the technical aspects of the chemistry major so that graduates should still be qualified to work in the chemical industry following graduation. We are hopeful that this major will be attractive to many students,” Layman said.

Additionally, there is the possibility that the department of health and physical education will add a major to their

curriculum. The new major, Exercise Science, will be voted upon in a week.

However, it will not be a direct replacement for the former Athletic Training major.

“It isn’t a direct replacement, but will serve as an excellent degree choice for someone wanting to pursue a career as an athletic trainer. Students interested in athletic training, are now required to obtain a masters degree in order to sit for the athletic trainer licensure exam. With that being said, the Exercise Science degree will help provide the students with the

necessary prerequisites to apply for a masters program. It will also serve as an excellent degree choice for those interested in pursuing a myriad of other areas,” Emily Lockhart, assistant professor of health and physical education, said.

For fine arts programs, there have been greater cuts made. The art department has reduced their graphic design major to an emphasis for the upcoming years. Beyond Studios, the design lab facility that housed

(Left) Students read copies of YAWP! during the outdoor launch party in 2017. (Above) The YAWP! logo font is unique to the literary magazine and has been a defining issue since its creation during the 2013-2014 school year.

Photo courtesy of Bethel Thresher 2017

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

FEATURES 7

Possible changes

Biochemistry Exercise Graphic and Molecular Science major Design Biology major production for various components of the graphic design major, will fall under new management. For the upcoming school year, Beyond Studios will continue to exist, but in a different format.

“Graphic design will now be an emphasis within the Art Major; effective May 17, Beyond Studio will be managed by Tricia Clark [Director of Institutional Marketing and Communications] and redeployed as a revenue-generating enterprise with opportunities for student work,” said President Jon Gering, in a November email on budget decisions.

As of right now, there is little specific information that administration has to offer in regards to how this new department will operate in the future.

“Currently, the marketing and communications office is wrapping up previously scheduled jobs for Beyond Studio and the business office is finalizing billing. We are still conceptualizing how Beyond Studio will function in the future and how the current facilities will be utilized.

As we are still in the planning phase, there is not any specifics I can provide at this time. I am hopeful we will have a strategic plan mapped out by early summer,” said Clark.

For the English department, cuts have been made to the curriculum as several departments face pressure to change certifications into minors, particularly in the case of the Writing

and Publishing Certification.

“The Literary Magazine and Practicum class is a core class of the minor, as is the editing and publishing internship. So with those going away, and with the special topics course that serves as our capstone course (Eng 410: The Environmental Imagination) slowing down in the rotation, I don’t see how the minor will be viable in the future,” said Siobhan Scarry, associate professor of English.

These cuts have affected the fate of the literary magazine, YAWP! because of the elimination of the spring practicum class that is focused around the production of the spring edition. The concept of a literary magazine had existed prior to the arrival of Scarry in the form of the online publication BC Lines.

“Since we started the magazine, we’ve been doing a fall edition online, which is kind of a continuation of the historical blog, but now we really make sure that everything gets uploaded at the same time and that it’s an actual issue being launched.

And then in the spring, it’s a print issue. The spring edition has been combined with a practicum class, and that is going away now, due to some administrative pressures to save money at the college. Every department is having to make some painful decisions about curriculum and pacing of classes. My great hope is that YAWP! is on a pause for next spring and that practicum course can come back into our curriculum at a later time,” said Scarry.

“I fought very hard to keep YAWP! as a class… And certainly with YAWP! as my baby, it’s not something that I’m keen to give

Writing and Publishing Certification

up. I love literary magazines, I love what YAWP! does for this campus. I love seeing freshman math majors send us poems and biology majors run the magazine. I think it’s an incredible interdisciplinary opportunity for our students and it’s community building in the best way,” Scarry said.

Scarry and Brad Born, professor of English are hard at work looking for ways to

YAWP

keep YAWP! alive along with other aspects of the Writing and Publishing Certification.

The launch party for YAWP! this year will be April 24 at 4 p.m. in Mojo’s and will be a double header event with Matthew Cooperman and Abi Kaupang reading from their new book: NOS (disorder, not otherwise specified).

Students that are members of the Beyond Studio staff work in the Beyond Studios lab on the bottom floor of the library. They can be found during various hours of the day piecing together content on the Mac computers.

Photo by Lindsey Pfannenstiel

THE BETHEL COLLEGE COLLEGIAN

6 FEATURES

Changes coming to Bethel to accommodate for budget cuts BETHANY POWLS Editor-in-Chief

As a result of budget cuts made

by Bethel College in order to meet the accreditation standards of the Higher Learning Commission, many of the college’s departments have made significant changes to key majors or components of their degrees.

Some departments were required to cut or consolidate majors offered in order to reduce credits, while some programs have been cut entirely as a result of staff reduction.

For the science department, adapting to these changes was key in order to keep a chemistry-related major intact.

“We were asked to cut the equivalent of 1 class per year from our major. Since the upper level courses are offered every other year, this was the equivalent of two courses.

The major as it currently is structured barely has the minimum courses required for a student to be well prepared in chemistry. In addition, our upper level chemistry courses typically have enrollments of less than 10 students. So, in order to keep the chemistry major, we needed to find a method to attract more students,” Kathryn Layman, professor of chemistry and physics, said.

The chemistry major has evolved into the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major. This new major is designed to prepare students, by having more of an emphasis on biology, for careers that they already wish to pursue.

“The Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major would enable students to

more easily complete a major while focusing on the prerequisites for professional health schools, and provides a balanced approach to both chemistry and biology. Plus, we are keeping some of the technical aspects of the chemistry major so that graduates should still be qualified to work in the chemical industry following graduation. We are hopeful that this major will be attractive to many students,” Layman said.

Additionally, there is the possibility that the department of health and physical education will add a major to their

curriculum. The new major, Exercise Science, will be voted upon in a week.

However, it will not be a direct replacement for the former Athletic Training major.

“It isn’t a direct replacement, but will serve as an excellent degree choice for someone wanting to pursue a career as an athletic trainer. Students interested in athletic training, are now required to obtain a masters degree in order to sit for the athletic trainer licensure exam. With that being said, the Exercise Science degree will help provide the students with the

necessary prerequisites to apply for a masters program. It will also serve as an excellent degree choice for those interested in pursuing a myriad of other areas,” Emily Lockhart, assistant professor of health and physical education, said.

For fine arts programs, there have been greater cuts made. The art department has reduced their graphic design major to an emphasis for the upcoming years. Beyond Studios, the design lab facility that housed

(Left) Students read copies of YAWP! during the outdoor launch party in 2017. (Above) The YAWP! logo font is unique to the literary magazine and has been a defining issue since its creation during the 2013-2014 school year.

Photo courtesy of Bethel Thresher 2017

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

FEATURES 7

Possible changes

Biochemistry Exercise Graphic and Molecular Science major Design Biology major production for various components of the graphic design major, will fall under new management. For the upcoming school year, Beyond Studios will continue to exist, but in a different format.

“Graphic design will now be an emphasis within the Art Major; effective May 17, Beyond Studio will be managed by Tricia Clark [Director of Institutional Marketing and Communications] and redeployed as a revenue-generating enterprise with opportunities for student work,” said President Jon Gering, in a November email on budget decisions.

As of right now, there is little specific information that administration has to offer in regards to how this new department will operate in the future.

“Currently, the marketing and communications office is wrapping up previously scheduled jobs for Beyond Studio and the business office is finalizing billing. We are still conceptualizing how Beyond Studio will function in the future and how the current facilities will be utilized.

As we are still in the planning phase, there is not any specifics I can provide at this time. I am hopeful we will have a strategic plan mapped out by early summer,” said Clark.

For the English department, cuts have been made to the curriculum as several departments face pressure to change certifications into minors, particularly in the case of the Writing

and Publishing Certification.

“The Literary Magazine and Practicum class is a core class of the minor, as is the editing and publishing internship. So with those going away, and with the special topics course that serves as our capstone course (Eng 410: The Environmental Imagination) slowing down in the rotation, I don’t see how the minor will be viable in the future,” said Siobhan Scarry, associate professor of English.

These cuts have affected the fate of the literary magazine, YAWP! because of the elimination of the spring practicum class that is focused around the production of the spring edition. The concept of a literary magazine had existed prior to the arrival of Scarry in the form of the online publication BC Lines.

“Since we started the magazine, we’ve been doing a fall edition online, which is kind of a continuation of the historical blog, but now we really make sure that everything gets uploaded at the same time and that it’s an actual issue being launched.

And then in the spring, it’s a print issue. The spring edition has been combined with a practicum class, and that is going away now, due to some administrative pressures to save money at the college. Every department is having to make some painful decisions about curriculum and pacing of classes. My great hope is that YAWP! is on a pause for next spring and that practicum course can come back into our curriculum at a later time,” said Scarry.

“I fought very hard to keep YAWP! as a class… And certainly with YAWP! as my baby, it’s not something that I’m keen to give

Writing and Publishing Certification

up. I love literary magazines, I love what YAWP! does for this campus. I love seeing freshman math majors send us poems and biology majors run the magazine. I think it’s an incredible interdisciplinary opportunity for our students and it’s community building in the best way,” Scarry said.

Scarry and Brad Born, professor of English are hard at work looking for ways to

YAWP

keep YAWP! alive along with other aspects of the Writing and Publishing Certification.

The launch party for YAWP! this year will be April 24 at 4 p.m. in Mojo’s and will be a double header event with Matthew Cooperman and Abi Kaupang reading from their new book: NOS (disorder, not otherwise specified).

Students that are members of the Beyond Studio staff work in the Beyond Studios lab on the bottom floor of the library. They can be found during various hours of the day piecing together content on the Mac computers.

Photo by Lindsey Pfannenstiel

SPORTS 8

Athletic trainers help athletes recover after injury stretching both before and after practice. This helps move the lactic acid out of your muscles, and prevent the buildup of that in muscles which is what causes soreness,” Holly Winiarczyk, a Bethel Athletic Trainer from Cameron, Wis., said.

In regards to handling injury, following the directions of the athletic trainer is the best thing to do. They know what will benefit each injury and what will not. By listening to their recommendations, athletes will decrease the chance of not injuring themselves further.

Being proactive about injuries and letting the AT know as soon as possible will allow the athlete, in most cases, to still be able to participate. In some cases of injury, going in for rehabilitation will help keep the athlete healthy

COURTNEY SIMPSON Staff Writer

The best way for athletes to determine if they are experiencing injury or soreness is to listen to their bodies. If they do a proper workout that includes a true warm-up and a true cool-down, they should experience minimal soreness.

Injury occurs when the soreness doesn’t go away or get better after a good warm-up.

The pain could worsen, causeing athletes to lose full function of the injured area and restricting their motions. To assess an injury, athletes should talk to an athletic trainer (AT), and they will evaluate whether or not there is a true injury. “[A good warm-up should include] static and dynamic

enough to participate in their sport after recovery.

The best time for athletes to talk to an athletic trainer is as soon as they recognize that something is wrong.

“Here on campus we have an appointment based system where all athletes sign up to see their athletic trainer online. If something happens at a practice, mention it to us and we will communicate what we would like you to do as far as coming in to get it checked out either after practice or the next day,” Winiarczyk said.

Throughout their season, athletes experience soreness and injuries. The off-season is usually viewed as a time for recovery.

“The best way to get healthy after a season is to stay as healthy as possible during the season. This

means being in communication with the AT throughout the whole season and letting them know about the little injuries that happen that they may not see. Also, in the off season it is important to make sure athletes are staying active, keeping up with proper nutrition and getting adequate amounts of sleep and rest,” said Winiarczyk.

A balanced workout regime is important to recovery as it works to strengthen all muscles.

Cross training is also important during this time because when athletes are in season they are mostly utilizing the muscles that their sport requires them to use, leaving other muscles to not get used as much which can lead to imbalances which can potentially

lead to injury,” Winiarczyk said.

One of the most common myths about athletic trainers is that they hold out all evaluated injuries from participation. The reality is that if an injury is small, they can make ways for athletes to still participate. It could be that they modify what the athlete does at practice, or they may not even need any modifications. It could also be that the athlete just needs to come in and do some rehab.

“If you don’t get your injuries taken care of, it can turn into a more severe injury that requires you to miss time. We athletic trainers are here to make sure you don’t create a more significant injury, or prolong your recovery process,” Winiarczyk said.

Sunday School @ 9:30, Worship @ 10:45

Potluck meals on the first Sunday of each month GOLF MAR. 23

DAY 1

TENNIS AWAY

KCAC CHAMPIONSHIPS

MAR. 24

DAY 2

AWAY

KCAC CHAMPIONSHIPS

MAR. 18

3:00 P.M.

TRACK AND FIELD AWAY

vs. CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

MAR. 19

1:00 P.M.

Bethel’s personal trainer is assessing this athlete’s progress through the healing process. Photo by Carmen Ariza Romero

HOME

at WASHBURN UNIVERSITY

MAR. 21

AWAY

ESU TWILIGHT INVITATIONAL

MAR. 28

AWAY

COWLEY TIGERS INVITATIONAL

SOFTBALL MAR. 14 1:00 and 3:00 P.M. HOME vs. UNVIERSITY OF SAINT MARY

MAR. 18 1:00 and 3:00 P.M. AWAY at OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN

MAR. 21 1:00 and 3:00 P.M. AWAY at KANSAS WESLEYAN

Small Thresher golf team has high spirits

Trae Gering, sophomore from Pretty Prairie has had an active season this year as one of the youngest golfers on the team. Photo by Carmen Ariza Romero.

JAYDE BLAIN Staff Writer

Thresher golf began their spring season on March 7 in Hesston at the Bethel/Tabor duel. This year’s team is small, having only six players, compared to the average of ten on most college teams. Because of this, the team faces certain challenges

when it comes to participating in competitions.

“You don’t have options of subbing anybody in [and] not having the competition in practice.

[This] maybe causes players to not work as hard in practice. [Another challenge is that] if somebody has a conflict… you can’t leave somebody at home, because then you don’t have a full team,” Head

Golf Coach Gregg Dick said.

Because Bethel is a small liberal arts instituion, students tend to be involved in a variety of activities, so it’s common for student athletes to have a role in fine arts programs as well as athletics. This can make it difficult for students to juggle their priorities and often leads to sacrifices being made on all sides.

Coach Dick mentioned that one of his golfers also sings in the concert choir. This student is needed at the KCAC tournament during spring break, but he must also attend choir tour.

“He’s going with us on Monday and Tuesday to the golf tournament, and then he’s gonna fly to Chicago to catch up with the choir for the rest of choir tour,” Coach Dick said.

Despite having a small team, Coach Dick has positive goals for the season.

“My goals are for the guys to perform the best they can and to continue to improve as the season

goes along and to finish the year saying… ‘I played the best I felt like I could this year,’” Coach Dick said.

The golfers themselves also have high hopes for the season.

“One of my personal goals is to make the top ten of the conference tournament. I want to be in the top three teams in the conference,” said Chase Anderson, junior from Topeka.

Golf had one week of practice before their first meet.

“I think practices have started off really good… It’s been pretty nice out this week so, so far so good,” Anderson said.

The positive outlook of Coach Dick and his team appears to outweigh the challenges of having a small team. With their hopeful spirits they plan on going far during competition season. The next Thresher gold meet will be on Monday, March 23 in Tulsa, Okla.

It will be the first day of the KCAC Championships.

Track prepares for outdoor season post-nationals JOHN HANSBERRY Staff Writer

The Bethel College track team has had an eventful indoor season this year. When Head Coach Kelly Parsley was asked about the indoor season so far, he had mostly positive things to say. “[It’s been] amazing! The kids are so positive and working so hard, it really shows on the track and in the field,” Coach Parsley said.

Bethel had three national qualifiers this indoor season.

According to Coach Parsley, all of them have a chance to place as an All-American athlete.

Kemroy Cupid, junior from Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, qualified for nationals in the 60 meter dash and the 200 meter dash. Before the meet, Cupid came in with the 10th fastest time

in the nation in the 60 meter dash.

He ranks third in the nation in the 200 as well. He received 20th in the 60 meter dash and 10th in the 200.

“The time in the preliminaries when Kemroy ran the fastest 200 meter time in the country was one of the most impressive moments of the season,” said Coach Parsley.

Braylen Brewer, sophomore from Tecumseh, Okla., qualified for nationals in the 400 meter dash.

He qualified with the second fastest time in the KCAC meet with a time of 49.34 seconds.

Brewer’s PR (personal record) in the 400 meter dash happened last year at the KCAC indoor nationals, in which he scored a time of 49.26 seconds. At the meet, he received an honorable 21st place.

Austin Cheatham, sophomore from Newton, qualified for nationals in the shot put. He took home the KCAC shotput

championship this year, throwing the fourth farthest throw in the NAIA this year. Cheatham threw with the top competitors and received 23rd.

“They are not just spectacular athletes but great people. We are very excited about the national meet,” Coach Parsley said.

As indoor season comes to a close, outdoor season will soon begin for the Threshers, and warmer weather appears to have arrived just in time. Since outdoor Thresher sports are sometimes considered more popular as spectator sports, the team is hopeful that more members of the Bethel community will attend their meets.

Outdoor season offers some events that are not offered indoor, including discus, javelin and 4 x 100 meter relay. This gives the Threshers more opportunities for success during their outdoor season.

Outdoor season begins at the Emporia State twilight invitational on March 21. This is a great opportunity for the Threshers to start competition outdoors and to have a chance to prepare outside for other competitions. The Threshers will compete in a total of eight meets this spring. They will compete in the “Loren Reusser Invitational” on April 11 at Bethel, named after longtime Bethel fan Loren Ruesser.

“I have been coaching at the collegiate level for over 20 years and the athletes here are not just tremendous athletes, but great people. It is exciting that everyone is so positive and want to get better.

We can only continue getting stronger when everyone buys in and I feel that they have. We only get better from here,” Coach Parsley said.

Go out and support our Threshers.

SPORTS 9

the

Sideline JADIN KALTENBACH Opinion Editor

Photo by

CHARLIE GIBSON CHEER KCAC HONORABLE MENTION AND ATHLETE SCHOLAR

What is your favorite thing about cheer?

“My favorite thing about cheer is learning new stunt skills and the success everyone on the team feels when we hit a stunt that we’ve been working on for a while.”

What is your ideal meal?

“My ideal meal would be a medium-rare steak, with roasted potatoes, fresh sweet corn on the cob and good cheesecake for dessert.”

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

“In 10 years, and this is a little bit cliche, but I see myself happy. I want to be helping people and in a place where I have the ability to do so.”

10 ENTERTAINMENT

Students present new outdoors club as an organization DRANNON LENOX Staff Writer

The outdoors club is a new organization coming to Bethel’s campus as sponsored by Zach Esau, junior from Hesston. This new club will give students the opportunity to enjoy several outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hiking and more. This club would also be the only outdoor based club here on campus.

“It all started when a couple of the football guys asked me to take them fishing, and we got to talking and had the idea of starting a fishing club,” Esau said.

Since the club includes multiple outdoor activities, Esau plans on doing things that include hiking around different places in Kansas and camping trips on the weekends.

The goal of the club is to be open and available to anyone who wants to join it.

“It’s a club for serious and amateur anglers or anyone who wants to learn more about fishing.

[It’s] also a club for anyone who needs an excuse to get outside, and enjoy the outdoors,” Esau said.

With the club’s emphasis on fishing, the question of having a Bethel College fishing team has been brought up.

“There has been some mention of some of the more serious anglers starting a team, but it will take a little more work and funds to start. However, the possibility is there,” Esau said.

There are currently over 600 collegiate bass fishing teams across the United States.

This club is set up to accommodate the college lifestyle.

Attendance by members is not mandatory at every event, which encourages members to pick events that they really want to attend.

“This club is a come as you want. On the sign-up sheet, there is a section where you can select

what type of events you want to be notified about, and it is not mandatory that you come to any events,” Esau said.

Potential members should also know that while bringing fishing or hiking gear is encouraged, it is not mandatory.

“You don’t need any gear, I will have some extra fishing poles and gear people can use, but students are encouraged to bring their own gear as I will only have a couple of poles,” Esau said.

This will be especially helpful for first-time fishers until they can get their own poles if they want to.

With the approval of the club

by SGA and the recent signup

sheet being sent to students, Esau expects a lot of campus support.

“I’ve had a lot of people seem interested in the idea. The great part about the club is it is not limited to size, and our events are based on having fun and enjoying the outdoors. I hope everyone gets involved for at least one event,” Esau said.

Overall this club will provide Bethel College students with free, fun and exciting opportunities to connect with nature. Using local fishing spots, hiking trails or campgrounds, students will have a chance to experience more of what the landscape Kansas has to offer.

How to celebrate holidays without cultural appropriation CHARLOTTE EHRMANN Copy Editor

With Saint Patrick’s Day just around the corner, many people will use this holiday as an excuse to party and get drunk.

Unfortunately, this is not the only holiday where people do this. In fact, many people use holidays that do not belong to their heritage as an excuse to party and get drunk. This could be considered disrespectful to the holiday’s original culture.

One example of this is Día de los Muertos. This Mexican holiday is extremely important to those of Mexican or Hispanic heritage.

“The holiday to me means celebrating those who have passed on to another life, and what their soul has done on this earth,” Vivi Rodriguez, junior from San Antonio, Texas, said.

When people of non-Mexican heritage celebrate Día de los Muertos, they are often doing it uninformed. This means that they do not know how to celebrate the

holiday in the culturally correct way.

“Honestly, if people want to know what Día de los Muertos is like, then watch ‘Coco.’ That movie is very accurate. The holiday means a lot to me. It’s a time of the year I can look back on my family that has passed away and thank them for everything that they have done for me because I know that they are watching over me,” Noah Ballesteros, sophomore from San Diego, Cali., said.

Another “Mexican”-American holiday that is often celebrated poorly is Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May, is a day meant to celebrate Mexico’s victory over France. There is just one problem with this though, those with Mexican heritage do not celebrate the holiday.

“It’s funny because Mexicans don’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo at all. It’s only white people. After the war, the only people who got something out of it were the Americans. Cinco de Mayo is just a regular day in Mexico, but in

the United States they celebrate it because Mexico saved their butt,” Ballesteros said.

Celebrating a holiday outside of your culture is not completely frowned upon though. Those celebrating just need to take a moment and consider doing some research.

For Saint Patrick’s Day, read up on who exactly Saint Patrick was. Then maybe try making a traditional Irish meal to celebrate.

For Cinco de Mayo, understand that you are celebrating an extremely white-washed holiday.

Tread carefully, and do your research on ways to celebrate without just partying. Día de los Muertos is an even trickier holiday to get right.

“I think a white person can celebrate however they want, but I personally don’t think they should celebrate with ofrendas. There are thousands in Mexican and Hispanic culture, so I don’t think a white person should use them,” Rodriguez said.

So now that you understand

cultural connotations a little better, what now? Do not be afraid to still celebrate!

“Join them! Hang up portraits of your past loved ones.

Ask your friends who celebrate ways that you can join without being problematic,” Ballesteros said.

Members of Rodriguez’s family participate in Día de los Muertos by dressing up and making an altar in honor of deceased family members.

Photo courtesy of Vivi Rodriguez

ENTERTAINMENT 11

Brad Born: English professor and classroom story-teller KELLY HABEGGER Staff Writer

If you’ve ever taken a course with Brad Born, professor of English, then you understand how his classes operate. One minute, he is focused on the material, diving into the content with the fervor of a man who has studied literature for a large portion of his life. The next minute, he has taken an aside in the lesson and brings up some interesting fact or story that may or may not be related to classroom material.

For his students, Born is known for having numerous trivia-like stories to tell in class, some of which he was willing to share.

“Many years ago, [there was] the famous ice storm at interterm

that shut down the campus. That was exciting. We didn’t have power on much of the campus so people were finding different places to have class. I remember walking by the residence halls and you could see little glowing lights in there, which [were] probably people’s camping lanterns. People were probably using camping stoves. Illegally. Or candles.

Open flames. But that… oldtimers remember that. Power was out for several days!” Born said.

After that, Born shared stories of encountering the legendary faces of Henry Louis Gates, Alfred Habegger and Paul Gilroy during his graduate years and after.

“I’m always amused when he discusses the circular nature of the Green and its history as

a community gathering place in relation to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s mild obsession with circles... it always manages to come up in conversation!” said Bethany Powls, sophomore from Garnett.

“Last semester, we read bits of Henry David Thoreau and he was convinced that students and their Sand Creek trail adventures were inspired by the works of Thoreau,” said Jessica LaRocque, junior from Cawker City.

Although it can be difficult to catch a story without the spontaneity, it is still interesting to talk to Born about his stories and the moments in his classes.

“I love the spontaneous, surprising, funny moments in class or unexpected discoveries in class,” Born said.

His inspiration for these moments when he has the opportunity to share pieces of campus or community information arise from classroom experiences or topics.

“It’s something about either the people in the room or the idea that arises or some recent event.

Like a convocation early that day has triggered a memory. That is what is great about just being alive and having these opportunities where the encounter of people and idea, in my case, a passage from literature, that something in our fiery synopsis, you know triggers in a new way and generates something we could

The Collegian is a student-run newspaper published bi-weekly while classes are in session. The Collegian is funded by advertising revenue and student fees. The Collegian is delivered free to Bethel faculty, staff, resident and commuter students. Off-campus subscriptions are available at the rate of $18.00 per school year. Subscriptions may be sent to:

The Collegian, Bethel College, North Newton, KS, 67117

Habegger sits down for an interview in Born’s office and listens while he chats animatedly about the topic.

Photo by Carmen Ariza Romero

not have expected. That’s living!”

Born said.

Born also went on to talk about how this connects to his love for literature.

“That is why I love literature.

And reading literature and reading literature with other people. Because literature at its best is trying to describe life, understand life, give form to human life, in these important, creative ways. And when it works, it’s because it can pull all of these things together, and for different readers, it can have all of these things alive at once,” Born said.

In addition, Born is known for his unique quotes.

“A few of us English majors have a quote document started so we can record some of the extra spontaneous things he says. We hope to have quite a collection by the time we graduate,” said Powls.

Although Born wasn’t able to provide many spontaneous stories as he does in class, the recommendation would be to attend one of his classes. These stories arise from the lecture or from readings and bring in a fun atmosphere, despite the state of their relevance.

STAFF

ELIZABETH RATZLAFF

AUSTIN PROUTY

CALEB ALLEN

EMILY KONDZIOLA

RILEY SCHMIEDER

JADIN KALTENBACH

GABE JOHNSON

BAILEY STRAUSZ

CHRISTINE CROUSE-DICK

ZACH SHIMA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR ADVISER

DESIGN EDITOR COPY EDITOR

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR BUSINESS MANAGER

PHOTO EDITOR

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

12 PHOTO FEATURE

THE BETHEL COLLEGE COLLEGIAN

Bethel’s Concert Choir’s latest performance

The choir sang at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church in Goessel in conjuction with Hesston Community College Bel Canto and the Alexanderwohl church choir on February 23 for their annual concert.

(Top Left) The Bethel College Concert Choir performs at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church. (Top Right) Nathan Garber, sophomore from Newton, sings during the concert on February 23. (Middle Left) Jerod Kaufman, sophomore from Moundridge, participates in the concert.

(Middle Middle) Julianna Schrag, first-year from Hillsboro, sings during the most recent choir performance. (Middle Right) Emma Beachy, sophomore from Kalona, Iowa plays the piano during the concert.

Photos by Lindsey Pfannenstiel (Bottom Left) The combined choir performs together during a song.

Photo by Carmen Romero