"Dear Bethel Board of Directors"

3 student letters to the Bethel Board of Directors on the issue of campus patrols

The following are part of the collection of 7 of the letters written by students to the Bethel Board of Directors on September 30th, 2024, to be published on Survival. Click here to learn more and to read part 1, and here for part 2.

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Concerns with Police on Campus and our Values

Hello Bethel College Board Members,

My name is Peter ——— and I am a Senior Bible & Religion major from Inman, KS. I hope you are all doing well and preparing for a great fall fest weekend, I am looking forward to it! I am involved in the musical this weekend, Dolly Parton's 9 to 5! I am also a B&R department assistant and involved in Campus Ministries, Choir, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and I take private lessons for piano and oboe. I have been a part of SGA in the past and am a current leader in the Bethel College Community for Justice and Peace.

I am a third-generation Bethel College student, and my family has had many members at this college over these last three generations. I am a Mennonite and Anabaptist, hoping to be fully immersed in the theology of my faith ancestors at the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary following my graduation in the spring.

I'm writing to you because I am concerned about the seismic shift in Bethel College policy (potentially breaking the student handbook in the process) around policing and campus safety.

I am thrilled that the College is concerned with student safety because it allows for creativity and shaping of our community via nonviolent practices that our values attest to. The creativity that Jesus instructs those who follow him to engage in (Matthew 5, turn the other cheek, give up your clothes, go the extra mile) written in the same breath as love your enemies. (Read Walter Wink for more on these directives as politically subversive nonviolent actions).

I am concerned about responding to insecurity on campus by allowing police unfettered access to campus. Police have the lawful authority to use violence if they have probable cause or feel threatened. This includes physical violence, in the form of tasers, guns, excessive physical force, and systemic acts of violence like introducing students to the criminal justice system unnecessarily. Instead of responding with restorative practices that attempt a holistic fix of the community, this approach introduces people to punitive justice or direct violence. As an Anabaptist, this cannot be the response of my community.

It jeopardizes the foundation on which this institution reports to be laid, that which is Jesus Christ.

There will always be situations where we need first responders, this has always been the case at Bethel. But surveillance that exponentially increases the likelihood of violence on campus does not make us safer.

Better education and thorough plans for student safety are a starting point. Most of the harm committed on Bethel campus (almost all to my knowledge) is done behind closed doors or in dorms. Educating the student body to be an active community increases the student body's safety exponentially.

Better lighting is another important aspect of student safety. Better lighting has been asked for by students for years. Bethel is a relatively safe place, most feelings of insecurity rise from a general sense of unease. Lighting can help with this.

Finally, introducing student or staff patrols that are visible and known by students would increase security. This could partially transform into a role for an unarmed and unsworn safety officer when there is money available for it. Someone who is part of the community and the College who does not have the authority to enact extreme physical or systemic violence. A person who can call on and communicate with first responders in situations where they are actually needed. This is a similar approach to sister colleges Goshen and EMU. Their policies seem to be thorough, focused on Anabaptist values, and transparent. Bethel's policies and protocols are lacking comparatively.

When we feel insecure we are given two options. Jesus's creative nonviolence offers life-giving, dignity-restoring, and community-strengthening outcomes. Easy answers on the other hand contain potential violence and lead communities down slippery slopes.

Thank you for your time. Your work is very valued by the Bethel College student body, even if we do not see it directly. I appreciate your willingness to sit with these hard situations and prayerfully respond with Christ at the center.

With Peace, Peter ———(he/him)

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Police on Bethel College Campus

Dear Bethel Board of Directors,

My name is Emil ——— and I am a first generation college student from Stockton, Kansas. I'm a senior music education major and I am involved in Concert Choir, theater, Chamber Singers, Wind Ensemble and Femcore, where I serve as president.

I am writing this email to you all to express my concerns about the addition of police to our campus. There are many reasons why this is a problem to lots of students at Bethel, some that I cannot speak on like harassment or misconduct. I can say, for certain, that no situation that has or will occur on campus is improved by the presence of an armed individual.

It increases the chance for individuals to find themselves needlessly in anxious situations that can cause them to get into unnecessary trouble or worse, be harmed by the situation.

You will hear many good ideas for improved safety and security regarding Bethel and its campus. My personal solution is to train the CA’s for emergency situations, such as first aid and CPR training, violence prevention training, etc. The police are right across the street if a situation calls for them to be invoked, and all students are aware that they can be called upon if needed.

I agree that safety and security are important. I want to be a part of a community where students are expected to behave responsibly and where we can learn to be trustworthy young adults. I believe that we all need to be held responsible for our actions. I think we can learn these things as a community, however, with a supportive and engaged administration, and without police patrols. That's how it's been for generations and I don't see any reason to change now.

Thank you so much for hearing our concerns.

Emil ———

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Police Presence on Campus and the Effects on our Students

I am Preston ———, a senior at Bethel College, triple majoring in Communication Arts, Political Science, and History Education. I am also a proud member of the Bethel College Community for Justice and Peace.

As you may know, the Bethel administration has invited the North Newton Police to patrol our campus, which I, as a student, consider my home. This decision makes me uncomfortable, and I feel less safe and secure with their presence. What's more is that Newton Police, whether regular Newton or North Newton, these police have a history and as someone who has lived in Newton for most of my life, I have seen and have been victim to unnecessary use of force from officers and even moments of harassment.

While I fully understand the importance of safety and security on campus, I believe there are more effective measures to address these concerns. As a student invested in the well-being of our community, I would prefer to see improvements such as increased lighting, additional cameras, and an expansion of the emergency call system. These practical solutions would better meet our needs rather than police patrolling as it fits their schedule, which I feel does little to enhance security. Having already been followed a couple of times back to my home off-campus, it's an extremely uncomfortable feeling.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Preston ———

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