In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bethel University transitioned to a virtual instruction learning environment in a span of two weeks—all while maintaining the real sense of community that’s always been a Bethel hallmark. by Michelle Westlund ’83 design by Tom Vukelich ’82
VIRTUAL REALITY
One day in March 2020, reality seemed to shift overnight. The coronavirus pandemic had already infected more than 100,000 people worldwide, causing more than 3,400 deaths. In late January, the virus had reached the west coast of the United States. By March 8, U.S. cases numbered 422. Then in rapid succession, the dominos began to fall. On March 13, there were 1,896 COVID-19 cases in the U.S., and a national state of emergency was declared. By March 16, reported U.S. cases increased to over 4,500 and the state of Minnesota—like many others nationwide—began shutting
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down to try to slow the pandemic’s spread. Thousands of people started working from home, and restaurants, theaters, museums, and other public gathering places were ordered to close. Sports seasons—from the NBA to all levels of collegiate spring sports—were suspended or canceled. K-12 schools closed, as teachers, parents, and students made rapid accommodations for what would quickly become known as “the new normal.”
Changes at Bethel
Bethel University faced a new normal, too. In March, in the interest of community safety and
wellbeing, the university canceled all Bethel-sponsored travel and on-campus events through the end of May; closed residence halls; and instructed students, faculty, and staff to study and work virtually through at least May 31. In the span of a two-week extended spring break, all face-to-face classes moved online and most staff transitioned to working from home. Later, as the impact of the pandemic widened, Bethel suspended all semester-long study abroad options for the 2020-21 academic year. In mid-April, Bethel announced that spring commencement would take place
