Student Guidebook

Introduction

The Student Guidebook is designed to equip students with information about the various aspects of college life as they grow academically, socially, and spiritually. It includes information regarding college polices, guidelines, standards and responsibilities. Students are expected to be familiar and comply with its contents.

While this guidebook provides an overall review of general college policies and guidelines, it is not intended to be inclusive or all-encompassing in that not all situations are foreseeable. The College reserves the right to change, add or delete any statement in this guidebook. This guidebook is not a legally binding contract and the College can deviate from any provision herein at its sole discretion. Amendments to the guidebook during the academic year shall appear in the online version. Questions relating to the contents of the Student Guidebook may be directed to the Dean of Students Ryan Bolte.

Student Guide Sections

Mission Statement

Introduction

Bethany Lutheran College is a Christian liberal arts college owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and committed to the teachings of the Bible as expressed in the statements of faith known as the Lutheran Confessions.

Our Mission

Bethany Lutheran College provides Christian higher education in a challenging academic environment where personal mentoring guides students to pursue knowledge, truth, and discernment for productive and fulfilling lives.

Our Purpose

Bethany Lutheran College engages students with the saving knowledge of Christ and assists them in developing their God-given talents and abilities for meaningful lives of service in the family, church, and society. A program of study grounded in the liberal arts and taught through the discerning lens of a Christian worldview equips students with knowledge, understanding, and adaptable skills.

Read more about Bethany’s Mission and History here.

Institutional Objectives

By graduation, a Bethany Lutheran College student will:

Recognize that the historic Christian faith professes that God the Holy Trinity is the source of all knowledge and truth, and that His wisdom is most clearly revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Demonstrate intellectual, creative, and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrate an understanding of personal and public responsibility.
Develop habits of thinking that apply to a fulfilling life of learning.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Bethany Lutheran College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, color, age, national origin, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, citizenship, creed, genetic information, disability, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local human rights commission, or other categories protected by law, in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and financial aid programs. As permitted by law, Bethany has the right to exercise discretion in employment to employ persons who share and are committed to the Biblical tenets of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the values and mission of the College. Bethany has the right to exercise discretion in regards to education, employment, housing or use of facilities, and other school-administered programs which is consistent with the Biblical tenets of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the values and mission of the College. The College adheres to the requirements of Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the ADA policy of 1990.

Sex discrimination is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a federal law that provides that: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” The College is required by Title IX and its regulations not to engage in sex discrimination in its education program or activity, including admissions and employment.

Inquiries or complaints about Title IX, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct may be directed to the College’s Title IX Coordinator. Grievance procedures are identified in the College’s Sexual Misconduct Policy. Inquiries or complaints regarding other forms of discrimination may be directed to the Manager of Human Resources.

Ted Manthe
Title IX Coordinator
Bethany Lutheran College
Old Main 236
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: (504) 344-7745
Email: titleix@blc.edu

Josh Pederson
Manager of Human Resources
Bethany Lutheran College
Old Main 205
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: (504) 344-7840
Email: hr@blc.edu

Inquiries or complaints may also be directed to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights:

The Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Telephone: (800) 421-3481
Facsimile: (202) 453-6012 TDD#: (800) 877-8339
Email: OCR@ed.gov
http://www.ed.gov/ocr

Statement on Admission, Enrollment, and Student Life at Bethany

As noted in our Mission and Vision statements, Bethany Lutheran College expects our students to understand that we are a Christian college and an educational arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod that upholds the teachings of the Bible as expressed in the statements of faith known as the Lutheran Confessions. We therefore ask each student to respect the legal and religious rights of the College to teach and operate according to the Synod’s beliefs, even if the student holds a different or contrary set of beliefs.

In cases when a student challenges or disparages the teachings, operations, or beliefs of the College in a manner that disrupts an atmosphere of Christian teaching, learning, or living, the College will work with the student in a respectful and loving way to address the student’s concerns in accordance with the precepts of Scripture and our Confessions. If a student persists in challenging or disparaging the teachings of the Synod, the College reserves the right to advise the student to continue his or her education elsewhere. In extreme situations, the College may terminate enrollment at Bethany.