Student Guide – Campus Life

Campus Life Objectives

Campus Life beyond the classroom is an integral part of the Bethany experience. We are interested in not only your academic growth in the classroom, but also your holistic development spanning body, mind, and soul. The Campus Life Objectives give guidance to the offerings and operations of all extracurricular areas of the College.

1) Spiritual Development
Through involvement with Campus Life, the student will increase in knowledge of spiritual issues and have opportunities for spiritual growth.

2) Life and Career Development
Through involvement with Campus Life, the student will be able to identify and utilize their God-given talents.

3) Physical Development
Through involvement with Campus Life, the student will increasingly make healthy lifestyle choices.

4) Psycho-Social Development
Through involvement with Campus Life, the student will develop a greater understanding and respect for others (cultures, ethnic groups, and backgrounds different from their own) to assist them in engaging successfully in various social environments.

5) Intellectual Development
Through involvement with Campus Life, the student will have the opportunity [be able] to expand their intellectual development, enhance academic success, and persist toward completion of their degree.

Spiritual Life

As a Christian college, the gospel message of our Lord and Savior is central in all we do at Bethany Lutheran College. You will be taught from a Christian perspective, as based on the Holy Bible. A Christian worldview is integrated into all aspects of Bethany’s curricular and co-curricular activities. Students are invited to participate in worship opportunities in Chapel every weekday at 10:00 AM, attend Bible studies, and worship at area churches in the Mankato community.

Please see our Spiritual Life page to learn more about Bethany’s focus on faith both in and out of the classroom.

Student Clubs & Organizations

Various Student Clubs and Organizations exist for the purpose of allowing students to enrich their spiritual, academic, experiential, and social lives while on campus.  A process for forming a new club or organization is available through the Student Senate. Final approval must also be granted by the College President’s Cabinet. Students with questions about clubs, organizations, or forming a new club or organization, may direct them to the Dean of Students.

Student Senate
The purpose of the Student Senate is to represent the students in all matters of concern to the student body and to serve as a liaison between the students, faculty, staff and administration. It also formally recognizes and makes funding available to campus clubs and organizations. Elections to the Student Senate take place every fall and spring.

Facility Hours

Building schedules are found on MyBLC under the ‘Student’ tab. Facility hours are subject to modification at the College’s discretion.

Tobacco & Vape Free Buildings

The use of tobacco in all its forms (including tobacco-related devices and electronic delivery devices), in keeping with federal, state, and local laws (Minnesota Tobacco 21 law), is not permitted on the Bethany Lutheran College campus except where stated in the following paragraph. The “campus” is defined as all property owned by Bethany, both inside of buildings and outside in common areas, as identified on the campus map.

Tobacco products (including tobacco-related devices and electronic delivery devices) may be used by individuals over the age of 21, within 10 feet of the posted/designated smoking area/signs, on city-owned property adjacent to Bethany, and in personal vehicles parked in accordance with Bethany’s parking regulations. Anyone using tobacco products in designated areas is asked to dispose of cigarette butts and other trash in the receptacles provided.

Counseling and Guidance Services

For anyone seeking personal counseling, Bethany Lutheran College has partnered with CFS – Christian Family Solutions, which maintains an on-campus counseling center with daily office hours. For more information, see the Personal Counseling Services page.

The campus Chaplain is also available to counsel students seeking spiritual guidance. His office is located in the lower level of Trinity Chapel, TC 111, and his phone number is (507) 344-7312. For more information, see the Spiritual Counseling Services page.

Health Services

For information regarding health services provided by the campus, regional health care facilities, or vaccinations, please see the Health Services page.

Career Development

Career Development is available to assist students in determining an academic path to follow and in defining a career choice. Feel free to visit with your academic advisor regarding career or internship advisement.

Financial Aid Services

Bethany is committed to making your education affordable. Students interested in on-campus employment, loans, grants, scholarships, etc. are invited to make their requests through the Financial Aid Office, located in the Student Affairs hallway of Old Main.

Dining Services

Bethany Lutheran College is committed to providing healthy, nutritious, and quality dining services to our campus community. Information about meals and meal plans can be found at the Dining Services page.

Modification of Meal Times

Times when the dining schedule is modified (such as immediately prior to breaks, over three-day weekends, or other special events) will be published in advance so that students are aware of the schedule change. The first meal after any vacation will be served on the evening before classes begin.

Residential Meal Plans/Exemptions from Meal Plans

All on-campus residential students are required to subscribe to the continuous access full meal plan. This plan grants students unlimited daily access to Dining Services during the hours of operation.

Students living in on-campus apartment-style housing may choose the continuous-access full meal plan or a reduced 5-meal plan, which allows a student to eat any five meals each week, when regular board meals are scheduled.

Requests to change meal plans must be made within the first ten days of each semester.

Dining Services is able to accommodate a wide range of dietary restrictions. It is the responsibility of the student to communicate with Dining Services the need for a specific accommodation. Requests for an exemption from a required on-campus meal plan will be considered only for a student whose medical doctor, having reviewed menus and methods of preparation, states that the student cannot or must not eat the food at Bethany for medical reasons. It is also required that Dining Services be allowed to attempt to accommodate a student’s diet before being granted an exemption for medical reasons. If it is determined that Dining Services is unable to accommodate the medically defined dietary restrictions, the request for exemption will be considered by the College.

Off-campus Student Meal Plans

Students living off-campus may purchase a meal plan offered by the College, including the continuous access plan or a reduced 5-meal plan. Please inquire with the Business Office or the Office of Student Affairs for costs. An alternative would be to purchase Flex Dollars, as described below, or simply pay at the door.

Individual Meal Costs

Individuals not on a meal plan, including guests and visitors, may purchase meals in the Dining Center at the following rates:

• Breakfast: $6.97 plus tax
• Lunch/Brunch/Sunday Dinner/Late Night: $8.04 plus tax
• Dinner: $8.57 plus tax
• Steak/Gourmet Dinner: $9.27 plus tax
• Sunday Brunch $8.34 plus tax

Dining Dollar Accounts

Dining Dollar accounts may be purchased for use in the Dining Center. These accounts are purchased directly from Dining Services and allow the user to carry a balance on their ID card. Every time the user dines in the Dining Center, the appropriate amount is deducted from the Dining Dollar balance. The staff at the checker station can inform the user of their current balance.

Dining Dollar accounts will be available for a minimum deposit of $10.00 per transaction and will offer the card-holder a 10% bonus credit for purchases between $10.00 to $99.00, and a 20% bonus credit for purchases of $100.00 or more. These accounts provide convenience and discounting to all that choose to use them.

Unused Dining Dollars will roll over from semester to semester and year to year. Any unused Dining Dollars remaining when a student is no longer enrolled at the College will be forfeited.

Green To-Go Initiative

Anyone wanting to eat a meal outside of the Dining Center (except for Late Night) will be required to use a Green To-Go box to do so. Dishes, cups, and silverware are not allowed outside of the Dining Center.

All residential students will be provided with a Green To-Go box at the beginning of the school year, free of charge. Non-residential students may purchase a Green To-Go box for a $5 refundable deposit.

Plasticware and disposable cups will be provided for those utilizing a Green To-Go box.

To-go meals must be consumed by the meal plan owner. Students are not allowed to feed other people from their meal plan.

Late Night

Late Night is an order ahead option using the EveryDay app. Orders placed are to be picked up from the Dining Center. The menu and ordering process can be found on the EveryDay app provided by Sodexo.

Late night meals must be consumed by the meal plan owner. Students are not allowed to feed other people from their meal plan.

Dining Center Regulations

• College ID cards must be presented when taking a meal in the Dining Center.
• Students will have a grace period of 48 hours to replace a lost ID card. After 48 hours, they may be denied meal service until the card is replaced.
• Students are welcome to take as much food as they care to eat. They are asked to be good stewards of their food in not creating unnecessary waste.
• Students who use their meal plan to feed others will be referred to the Dean of Students office and may be sanctioned.
• Dinnerware in the Dining Center, other than that provided by Dining Services, or drink containers of a size larger than 32 oz. are not permitted.
• Appropriate clothing is required per state law (shirt, shoes, etc.).

 Spirit Store Services

The Bethany Lutheran College Spirit Store, located across from the Admissions Office, provides a number of services including:

• Partnering with TextbookX for College textbook sales.
• Sale of school/office supplies, Christian reading materials, and greeting cards
• Sale of a complete line of official college T-shirts, sweatshirts, and caps
• Sale of stamps, postage, and mailing packages

Spirit Store Hours
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closed 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. for weekday chapel

Announcement Services

Sources of Announcements
Announcements of importance to students are made in several ways. The Daily Bulletin is emailed to all students on a daily basis and contains information beneficial to the campus community. It is also available online at carolinainternationalschool.org/db and on MyBLC. On occasion, announcements are made at the beginning or end of the chapel service, by way of memos placed in every mailbox, via email, or on electronic sign-boards posted throughout campus. Students are responsible for routinely checking their campus email account, as that is the official means for College communication to students. Emergencies can be broadcasted via an emergency notification PA system, email, or mass text message to those who opt in for the service.

Announcements by Students
Students may use the Daily Bulletin for announcements, and may submit announcements online for approval. Announcements via campus digital displays must be placed through the appropriate faculty, staff or club advisor.

Posters
Students may use designated bulletin boards throughout the campus for announcements. Posters and announcements may not be attached to walls or doors of any buildings on campus. Posters not in congruence with the mission of the College will be removed.

Property Insurance

Bethany respects the possessions of all and seeks to protect what rightfully belongs to individuals. It however is the student’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of their personal belongings. Bethany is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property belonging to students. Please insure your personal property to protect against loss and damage and take precautions, such as locking your doors and not leaving items unattended, to guard against theft. This also applies to student vehicles and their contents.

Keys and Key FOBs

All students are provided an electronic key FOB, programmed for access to assigned areas such as the student’s residence hall, Old Main Student Union, and academic buildings or facilities as appropriate. Residential students will have a key for their residence and mailbox. Off-campus students are issued a key for their mailbox. If any of these are lost or become non-functional, a student should immediately contact Campus Security at 507.344.7888 or the Meyer Hall front office at MH 205 507.344.7736. In the case of a lost/stolen key or FOB, timely notification is required to take necessary security precautions. Failure to notify of a lost/stolen key or FOB may jeopardize the safety and property of others. Consequently, failure to report may result in a fine of $100.00 and/or loss of other privileges. The cost for replacement is $20.00 for each FOB or key. Replacements will be provided once payment is made with the Business Office.

ID Cards

Students are issued an ID card at the beginning of their first year to be used as long as they are enrolled at Bethany. The ID card is required for meals, library check-out, and other identification purposes. Replacement cost for a lost or stolen card is $10. Payment must be made in the Business Office and then the receipt brought to the Memorial Library for a replacement card. Access to dining services may be denied if a student has not replaced a lost ID card within 48 hours.

Master Calendar/Facilities Calendar

The Event Services Office maintains the master calendar of all campus events and maintains the facilities calendar which indicates which buildings or rooms are available. Any organization planning an activity on campus should contact the Coordinator of Campus and Community Events at 507.344.7448 to ensure the date, time, and facility are available. Most public events are listed on the Event Calendar.

Lost and Found

A lost and found is maintained by Campus Security in Old Main. Periodic notices will be sent to the campus community seeking the rightful owner of lost and found items. Check with Campus Security or your Resident Hall Coordinator for items lost in the Residence Halls. Any unidentified items will be maintained for the duration of the academic year, at which time the College will dispose of any unclaimed items as it sees fit.

Post Office

Mail arrives on campus in the morning and is usually placed in student mailboxes by 9:00 AM the following day. The Post Office does not deliver mail on holidays or weekends. Students may purchase postage and send packages from the Spirit Store.

Community Services

County Social Services
Blue Earth County has a number of different human services, including meal programs, childcare assistance, and medical assistance for students without health or dental insurance. For more information call 507.304.4222

Transportation Services

Bethany generally does not provide rides for students to and from the airport or other destinations.

City Transit: The City of Mankato Bus Transit System has a stop close to campus (Marsh & Division intersection – across from Honsey Hall near the soccer field and Bethany Activity Center) identified as Route 13. Information regarding schedules, places, and fare rates can be obtained online.

Airport Transit: Land to Air Express, Inc. is located at 50 Sibley Parkway. They provide transportation to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP). Call 507.625.3977 or go online for current rates and departure times.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

For information about Information Technology Services and IT Policies on campus, please see the ITS page.

Library

Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Memorial Library and take full advantage of the resources found there throughout their college academic life.