Frequently Asked Questions

Regarding Changes in the Covenant for Life Together for College of Arts & Sciences Students

1. What change is being made in the Covenant for Life Together specific to College of Arts & Sciences students?
The Covenant for Life Together now states that students in the College of Arts & Sciences will abstain from the use or possession of alcoholic beverages during the school year or while participating in any Bethel-sponsored activity. “During the school year” is a change from past policies.

2. Why allow students to make their own decisions regarding alcohol during the summer months? 
One of the main reasons for the prohibition of alcohol for CAS students is that we are trying to create an educationally powerful campus climate that is primarily residential in nature. During the summer, the majority of students leave the Bethel campus and are under the care and guidance of their families or their place of residence, or they are in a position where they are learning to live on their own as adults. During this time, the special campus environment that we seek to create as part of our educational climate is no longer in place. The majority of students are not 21 years of age and cannot legally consume alcohol. Students who are 21 years of age should prayerfully consider the choices before them pertaining to alcohol and should seek the guidance and wisdom of other adults in their lives as they make choices about alcohol use.

3. Is Bethel University saying that alcohol consumption is OK?
Bethel does not condone or encourage the use of alcohol, but rather allows individuals freedom to make their own decisions regarding this.

The Covenant states: “Within committed Christian communities there are diverse views regarding the use of alcohol. Some choose a testimony of abstinence for a variety of legitimate and honorable reasons while others believe they can use alcohol occasionally and moderately without harm to body, spirit, or relationships with others.”

Within the Bethel community there are different opinions relating to the use of alcohol. Given Bethel’s Pietist, Baptist heritage, the teachings of Scripture are important. Since Scripture does not teach abstinence with regard to the use of alcohol, the Bethel trustees voted to no longer prohibit the use of alcohol by employees, and students in the Seminary, Graduate School, and College of Adult & Professional Studies. They also agreed that moderate use of alcohol was a matter of personal conscience during the summer for College of Arts & Sciences students who are of legal age.

The Bible does very clearly condemn drunkenness. The prophet Isaiah, echoing the wisdom tradition, explains that drunkenness causes moral blindness (Isaiah 5:11-12; Proverbs 20:1). Ephesians 5:13 says “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” All employees and students are expected to abide by these biblical injunctions.

4. What does “during the school year” mean?
The school year begins when students arrive on campus to begin any school-year related activities including but not limited to athletics, Welcome Week, student leadership activities, and on-campus employment, or when students begin Bethel housing for the fall semester for any purpose. The school year officially ends after commencement ceremonies and after the student moves out of school year housing.

5. Are there any limits on the use of alcohol for students during the summer?
Yes.

• Alcohol is never permitted on any part of the Bethel campus.

• Students under age 21 are bound by the laws regarding alcohol consumption.

• Students are bound by the biblical injunctions against drunkenness.

• Students participating in summer school, campus employment, or other Bethel-sponsored activities during the summer are expected to abstain from consuming alcohol. Bethel-sponsored activities include pursuits such as missions and service projects, traveling drama or music groups, and student employment paid with university funds.
  

6. How does Bethel define “drunkenness?”
West’s Encyclopedia of American Law defines drunkenness as “a consequence of drinking intoxicating liquors to such an extent as to alter the normal condition of an individual and significantly reduce his capacity for rational action and conduct.” In Minnesota, an alcohol level of .08 or higher is considered drunkenness.

Alcohol starts to impact a person at the first drink and depending on height, weight, and food intake will affect each person differently. More information on the effects of alcohol use is available through the Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the National Institutes of Health or through the Department of Health and Human Services. Students can also go to the Office of Student Development (CC314) or Health Services for additional information on the impact and effects of alcohol consumption or when seeking help to receive help for alcohol addiction issues.

7. Is Bethel still an alcohol-free campus?
Absolutely no alcohol is permitted on the Bethel campus; this includes all Bethel-owned apartments and properties including Fountain Terrace. It is also not permitted at Bethel-sponsored or Bethel-related events off campus.

8. What does this mean for students living in on-campus housing during the summer?
Students living in Bethel-owned housing during the summer are under the same policy as all Bethel students on summer break. Students should remember that no alcohol is allowed on any part of the campus, and any student who exhibits disruptive or poor behavior resulting from alcohol consumption or returns to campus housing intoxicated will no longer be allowed to live in Bethel housing for the summer.

9. What does this mean for students in summer school?
When students are in summer school they are considered to be in an official Bethel activity and are expected to abstain from consuming alcohol.

10. I’m not sure what I think about alcohol consumption. What should I consider in making my choices about this during the summer months?
The following is a non-exhaustive list of items to consider:

• Your age. Are you of legal age to consume alcohol?

• The wisdom of those around you. Seek the guidance and wisdom of parents and/or other adults in your life that you trust.

• God’s call on your life. Seek God’s wisdom in prayer as you address this issue.

• Your ability to consume alcohol without getting drunk or becoming addicted. See question #6 for resources that may be of use to you.

• Those around you. The Apostle Paul says that while it is wrong for believers to judge one another for drinking or not drinking (Romans 14:3-4), it is likewise wrong to put a “stumbling block” in another believer’s way (Romans 14:13). We are to be concerned for the welfare of others and not merely for our own personal interests (Philippians 2:4).

11.   Isn’t Bethel concerned about alcohol abuse in the general culture?
Most definitely. We realize that many of our students are exposed to alcohol before they arrive at Bethel and that some come from families where alcohol abuse is a problem. We also realize that alcohol abuse is one of the top problems on college campuses. Because of these issues and the age of the majority of students in the College of Arts & Sciences, students in that school will be expected to abstain from the use or possession of alcoholic beverages during the school year or while participating in any Bethel-sponsored activity. We have also developed alcohol education programs, robust counseling services, and other support mechanisms to help our Bethel community members if and when needed. We expect faculty, staff, student life staff, and the campus ministries staff to address this issue with students and model appropriate behavior and biblical wisdom.

12. What does this mean for students studying off-campus and studying abroad?
Students studying off-campus (both in domestic and international locations) are still enrolled at Bethel and considered to be participating in Bethel-sponsored activity, just as those students on campus.

Students participating in off-campus study abroad programs during the school year including interim, semester, and summer programs are expected to abstain from consuming alcohol, even if it is legally permissible in overseas locations.

However, we recognize there are differing cross-cultural perspectives regarding the use of alcohol by Christians. In some countries the use of alcohol is decidedly “un-Christian” behavior, while in others it is a culturally and socially acceptable norm.  If there is a situation where to refuse alcohol would be such a huge offense to a host in another culture that it would affect that person’s ability to see your Christian faith and understand the gospel, then a student may partake in moderation. If this situation occurs, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the Bethel University faculty member leading the trip or the Office of International Studies within 24 hours of such an occurrence.