Antiracism and Reconciliation

Summary of Progress

Bethel University has taken a number of concrete steps, in the past decade in particular, to become a community that is thoroughly antiracist and reconciling in Christ. Here are major milestones in that progress.

Personnel

• The Bethel Antiracism and Reconciliation Commission (BARRC), established by the president and trustees as a leader and catalyst for institutional change
• National church and business leaders on the Bethel Board of Trustees and Foundation Board who reflect ethnic diversity
• Increased hiring of faculty and staff of color
• Admissions counselors of diversity who relate to prospective multicultural students
• Expanded staff, including a chief diversity officer and associate deans for diversity and community and international student services at the College of Arts & Sciences and Bethel Seminary
• Multicultural affairs officers on the college and seminary student senates
• Coordinator of Bethel/Frogtown/Summit-University (FSU) partnership in one of St. Paul's most diverse neighborhoods
• Special liaisons to multicultural communities and churches

Provisions

• Targeted, need-based financial aid programs designed to assist students of color from Minnesota, the Twin Cities, and beyond
• Review and revision of curriculum to incorporate culturally diverse perspectives
• Six multicultural campus organizations to provide mutual support, promote cross-racial unity, and/or organize celebrations of ethnic diversity
• Seminary locations in ethnically diverse locations, and affiliations with ethnically diverse churches
• Tapestry newsletter as a bridge-builder to communities of color and an educational tool to the Bethel community about issues of importance to persons of color
• Peace Pole on Bethel’s St. Paul campus that states“May Peace Prevail on Earth” in six languages
• Three-piece mural in AC Lounge as a form ofremembrance and healing following a series of racialincidents in 2003
  

Practice   

• One of the nation's only B.A. degrees in Reconciliation Studies from a faith-based perspective
• Racial Reconciliation Day observed annually
• Year-long multicultural lunch groups to encourage dialogue and understanding
• Worship experiences and convocation speakers reflective of many cultures
• Introductory and advanced antiracism training completed across all divisions and an expanded training team prepared for additional sessions
• A strong and growing International Studies program offering terms of study at Cornerstone Christian College in South Africa; Uganda Christian University in Kampala, Uganda; Daystar University in Kenya; institutions in Antigua, Guatemala, and San Jose, Costa Rica; Hong Kong Baptist University; Payap University in Thailand; Tokyo Christian University in Japan; Jerusalem University College; and others in Europe and Australia
• Courses in cultural competence, diversity, urban issues, and race and ethnic relations
• Training in ally-building
• Faculty, staff, and student delegates to relevant conferences
• Special speakers invited to address topics related to racial, cultural, and international issues
• Cross-cultural learning immersion experiences in South Africa, southern United States (Sankofa) and the South Africa term for reconciliation studies students