COVID-19 Update: Alert Level Increase

Bethel community:

Due to the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota and specifically within the Bethel community, our COVID-19 Alert Level has increased to Level 3. 

All College of Arts & Sciences classes taught in person on the 3900 campus Monday, January 10 are canceled. Beginning on Tuesday, January 11, most face-to-face courses will move to a virtual instruction learning environment through January 26, with limited exceptions determined by academic leadership. Details regarding classes where learning requires face-to-face participation will be communicated via email on Monday. Classes in the College of Adult & Professional Studies, Bethel Seminary, and the Graduate School will continue as previously scheduled. 

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have risen significantly over the last several days, and the number of students absent from class due to quarantine and isolation has increased. Additionally, COVID-19 operations are being taxed, and national test shortages challenge our ability to quickly identify positive cases. These factors have led us to move to remote instruction for the duration of interim for the College of Arts & Sciences.

Additional Protocol Updates

During Alert Level 3, the following changes will be made to COVID-19 operations:

• Until COVID-19 rapid test kits are readily available, on-campus testing will be primarily reserved for symptomatic individuals. 
• The COVID-19 hotline will prioritize individuals reporting positive cases or unvaccinated close contacts who need to quarantine.
• College of Arts & Sciences students should limit trips on and off campus during this time, traveling only for essential needs.
• Campus operations and services, including academic buildings, the library, the wellness center, and residence halls will continue to be open and operate as normal.
• Employees should continue to follow the flexible work arrangement previously established with their supervisors.
• We continue to strongly encourage the use of properly fitted, high quality face coverings (such as KN95s) when distancing is not possible. 

If you have questions regarding this alert level change, please contact the COVID-19 response team at covid-19@bethel.edu. These actions and each of our individual choices will best enable us to learn in person when spring term begins in February.