News Viewer http://www.bethel.edu/president/news-viewer/rss 2009-02-06T16:44:55Z February 2010 Budget Update http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2010/02-10-budget-update Friends, Thank you to the more than 200 of you who turned out for the faculty and staff Q&A sessions. I appreciate your support and care for what is happening here at Bethel. For those of you unable to attend, the audio from the Red Fox session is available online for the Bethel community (requires iTunes). There were a few important budget highlights from the sessions that I want to make sure everyone is aware of: Timothy Hammer 2010-02-11T17:36:30Z Successful Self-Study Visit http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2010/self-study Friends- A six-member visiting team from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, which accredits all colleges and universities in a 19-state region, concluded its visit to Bethel on Wednesday morning. This comprehensive review of the institution was to affirm the quality of work done by the university and to provide guidance as the university seeks continued accreditation. Timothy Hammer 2010-02-10T20:01:19Z New Senior Vice President for University Relations http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2010/svp-university-relations Colleagues: Over the past 18 months we’ve prayed that God would bring the right leadership team together. We prayed for strong, experienced leaders who would bring a love for Bethel University, a commitment to work collaboratively, an ability to contribute energy and wisdom to the decision making process, and a perspective that was broader than higher education. I feel that God has answered our prayers abundantly, and in that vein I’m excited to announce the appointment of the last member of my cabinet. Timothy Hammer 2009-06-05T14:10:01Z Voluntary Separation Incentive Program http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2010/vsip Purpose As has been previously communicated, in order to ensure Bethel is on solid footing to carry out its mission for many years to come, the president and his leadership team have identified the need to permanently reduce annual spending. As a part of this effort, Bethel is offering a VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM (VSIP) that offers a lump sum payment and continuation of certain benefits. Timothy Hammer Amanda Wanke 2010-01-04T14:15:00Z December 2009 Budget Update http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/12-09-budget-update As president, I have tried to share with you timely information regarding organizational changes, enrollment, and our financial situation. Together we have been called to accomplish an important mission in challenging times. Those graduating in less than three weeks are a reminder to us of the vitality of our mission and your role in achieving it. Timothy Hammer 2009-12-07T10:00:00Z October 2009 Trustee Meeting Summary http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/10-09-trustee-summary The Bethel University Board of Trustees met on Thursday, October 8, and Friday, October 9. Features of this meeting: Timothy Hammer 2009-10-16T14:30:05Z September 2009 Enrollment and Budget Update http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/09-09-enrollment-update Bethel University’s College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) has enrolled 2,827 students for fall 2009. The enrollment was measured on the 10th day of class—a widely practiced standard for assessing enrollment, allowing for initial changes that occur the first few days of class. CAS enrollment is up 1.3 percent from last fall’s enrollment of 2,792 and includes 1,914 students who are continuing enrollment from the previous semester, 727 new freshmen, 23 students returning after an absence, and 163 students transferring from other higher education institutions. Timothy Hammer 2009-09-21T15:37:57Z August 2009 Enrollment Update http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/08-09-enrollment-update On Tuesday, August 18, Bethel University President Jay Barnes celebrated the end of summer and shared a brief update with the employee community at the Annual Ice Cream Social. Timothy Hammer 2009-08-19T21:29:42Z David Clark Named Bethel University Provost http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/university-provost The Bethel University Board of Trustees has named David K. Clark, currently professor of theology at Bethel Seminary, to be executive vice president and provost of Bethel University. Clark will begin in his new role on July 1. In accordance with the University Bylaws, the Trustees will request his confirmation as provost at the Bethel University Corporation biennial meeting in June 2010. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T15:00:24Z David Clark Recommended for University Provost http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/university-provost-recommended May 19, 2009 President Jay Barnes is recommending to the Board of Trustees that David K. Clark, professor of theology at Bethel Seminary, be appointed as executive vice president and provost of Bethel University. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:58:58Z Spring Trustee Meeting Summary http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/05-09-trustee-update More than 30 trustees met April 30-May 1 in the new Paul L.H. Olson and Pamela G. Olson Boardroom and the conference rooms on the fourth floor of the Brushaber Commons. The Finance and Administration Committee and the Committee on Trustees held their first meetings the evening before the official opening on Thursday morning, in order to begin on an extensive agenda. President Barnes reviewed progress on his stated goals for the university, articulated to the trustees a year ago. The primary focus of the trustees at this meeting, beyond important “routine” business, was discussion of a Board Policy Manual to guide the administration and the board into strategic thinking. More than four hours of committee meetings and plenary sessions were devoted to this, considering a draft of the policy manual developed by the Committee on Trustees and administrative staff. The committee and staff members will continue to work on the document this summer, in order to present it for board approval in October. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:56:56Z May 1 Enrollment Update http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/05-09-enrollment-update President Barnes has committed to regular updates regarding enrollment and budget decision-making. May 1 was an important date marking the nationally recognized decision date many colleges set by which students indicate their intentions by their deposit. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:55:28Z Provost Search Update April 2009 http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/04-09-provost-update2 The Provost Search Advisory Committee met on April 16-17, and interviewed several candidates. At the end of their discussions, the committee is moving forward with two candidates. The committee will not have a recommendation before the meeting of the Board of Trustees on April 30-May 1, however. The President anticipates that a single candidate will be recommended by mid-May, and the candidate will meet with several campus groups before being presented to the Trustees. The candidate’s nomination will then be acted on by the Board of Trustees. The Provost’s appointment will be presented to the delegates to the Bethel Corporation meeting (members of the churches of Converge Worldwide/ Baptist General Conference) for confirmation at the next biennial assembly in June 2010. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:54:08Z Thank You from President Jay and Barb Barnes http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/inauguration-thanks President Jay and Barb Barnes thank the Bethel community, colleagues in the higher education community, friends, and family for their support and care shown during the inauguration. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:51:08Z Inauguration Photos and Audio http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/inauguration In late March 2009, the Bethel Community celebrated the inauguration of Jay Barnes as the university's fifth president. Photo galleries of the various events and audio from the installation service are available below. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T15:16:02Z Budget Update http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/04-09-budget-update President Barnes has committed to keep the Bethel community informed of the university's economic situation. “While we hear and read about the dire economic circumstances every day, all things considered, I continue to trust and believe that we are faring reasonably well in these uncertain times,” explained Barnes. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:44:14Z Provost Search Update April 2009 http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/04-09-provost-update The Provost Search Advisory Committee met all day April 3, concluding a paper review of a narrowed pool of applicants for the position of university provost. As the pool was narrowed, we looked for top level leaders who had demonstrated effective leadership, clear understanding of the multiple forms of education offered at Bethel University, commitment to our mission and core values, and Christian faith in our evangelical, pietistic tradition that was evident in their lives. The seven selected applicants completed a standard faculty application, including questions on personal faith and a philosophy of education; a curriculum vita; and extended responses to a number of questions developed by the committee. These included the following: Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:45:16Z Bethel Contracts Nationally Known Firm for Web Redesign http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/web-redesign Bethel University has contracted the nationally known firm mStoner to redesign and relaunch Bethel’s online presence. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:42:40Z Provost Search Update March 2009 http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/03-09-provost-update Behind the scenes the search for the first University Provost has been under way. A job description and position qualifications were published in late January, and have been available on the Bethel Office of Human Resources website for a number of weeks. Since mid-January, we have received a number of inquiries, applications, and nominations. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:40:12Z Update on the Economy and Bethel University: Page 5 http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/economy-5 Student Cost-Savings and Revenue-Generating Ideas Students, Many families are tightening their budgets during these economic challenges, and we are doing the same here at Bethel. Do you have ideas as to how we could save money? Maybe you have some ideas for increasing revenue at Bethel. Submit your cost-savings and revenue-generating ideas through this form. You may submit your ideas anonymously, or you may include your name. Thank you! Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:28:34Z Update on the Economy and Bethel University: Page 4 http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/economy-4 Employee Cost-Savings and Revenue-Generating Ideas Colleagues,  Likely you see opportunities for efficiencies and savings around Bethel that others may not, and we want to hear from you. In addition to cost-savings, we know that many of you have ideas for increasing revenue at Bethel. This form has been created for you to submit your cost-savings and revenue-generating ideas. You may submit your ideas anonymously, or if you include your name, you will receive a response regarding your suggestion. For more information on Bethel in the current economic situation, please read my recent message to employees . Thank you for your partnership through these economic challenges. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:23:33Z Institute of Reconciliation and Social Innovation http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/reconcilitaion-institute Colleagues, As you know, one of our core values at Bethel is to be reconcilers: honoring the worth and dignity of people from all races and purposely seeking to create a community that reflects the diversity of the Body of Christ. We are now home to one of the few—and the only biblically based—reconciliation studies programs in existence, offering both a minor and Bachelor of Arts degree in this field. Interest in the reconciliation studies program has been strong, with 40 students choosing the minor in its first year in existence. For some time, there has been a desire to expand our reconciliation programs across all schools of Bethel University. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:38:46Z Update on the Economy and Bethel University: Page 3 http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/economy-3 What does this mean? As I’ve listened to employees in recent months, I’ve heard that your main concerns are employment security, health care costs, retirement plan stability, and work-family balance, and we’ll continue to keep these concerns at the forefront of our planning. However, we must now begin taking necessary steps to offset these many challenges. In consultation with the Board of Trustees, we will begin implementing the following steps. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:22:37Z Update on the Economy and Bethel University Page 2 http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/economy-2 Current situation Several indicators give us reason to be optimistic as we head toward completion of the 2008-09 fiscal year. On a positive note, fall 2008 enrollment in the College of Arts & Sciences came in above what we planned for, and spring semester appears to be on par with 2008. Enrollment is actually up at Bethel Seminary, the College of Adult & Professional Studies, and the Graduate School. Given the economy, this is cause for rejoicing, and I am thankful for the good work of our enrollment management team. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:21:06Z Update on the Economy and Bethel University http://www.bethel.edu/president/news/2009/economy Colleagues: The difficult economic conditions that have emerged over the last year have significantly affected all of us. We can’t turn on the television or radio without hearing about more layoffs or government plans to stimulate the economy. Uncertainty abounds, and we’re not immune to it here at Bethel. I’ve had hallway conversations with many. I’ve been moved by those who have offered sacrificially to cut their pay in order to keep fellow employees on the job and Bethel headed in the right direction. Your words of support and prayers on our behalf are priceless! Those conversations tell me there are many questions about how the economic crisis is influencing Bethel, and I’m committed to ensuring that you have the facts about our situation. Justin Kemper Justin James Kemper 2009-06-05T14:19:53Z