Clarion 1986-11-07 Vol. 62 No. 06

              the Clarion.
Vol. 62 No. 6
Bethel College 3900 Bethel Dr., St. Paul, MN
7 November 1986
Computer accounts: A valuable student resource
by Kim Carlson
Every student at Bethel has
received an account on the
Pyramid minicomputer system. Each student user name
and password was put in his/
hers P.O. in September. All
students are able to use the system without charge, whenever
they need lo. The system was
created to promote interest in
computing. Before this year,
students had to pay a fee to use
them. Many other colleges are
also using computer account
systems.
This system is a basic liberal
arts tool which aims at getting
students lo use computers in
whatever courses they take.
These accounts were created
so that each student would
have access to use the resources available. Dave Holter,
the assistant director of the
computer center, said "This
will help to promote computer
literacy in general."
The accounts that everyone
was given were used mainly
for writing papers. You just
type onto the computer what
you want to say, and if you
want to use the Writer's Workbench, which is explained in
the user's guide, it will check
for spelling errors, sexist
language, and grammar.
These accounts are not directly related to the new curriculum. Bill Doyle, head of the
computer department, stated,
"The philosophy of providing
an account without charge enhances goals we have as a new
computer program. These accounts would have been available to every student this year,
even if we had not launched a
new curriculum."
The faculty of the math and
computer science departments
view computing as a liberal
arts tool, like the LRC, that is
available to everyone.
Access to computer resources could affect the quality
of the papers you do. Dawn
Gustafson, a computer operator for the academic computer
center, said, "At first, vou have
to fiddle around on the computer and learn the commands.
Once you understand them, it
is easier than using a typewriter. You do not have to take
time to retype it, simply type
any changes onto the computer
and  they  will  be  there  for
Brad Best boosts off wooden ledge in Kresge Courtyard, enjoying
one of the last skateboarding days before the snow falls.
 Photo by Mike Carhart
reference whenever you need
them."
Doyle called computers, "A
tool that will be used by liberally educated people in
whatever they do."
Faculty members are now
starting to make assignments
requiring the use of the computer. In the future, Doyle
hopes the computer department can provide short courses
in computer to ease the burden
of learning. It has not vet been
Computer, see p. 5
Alcohol use at Bethel:
Dealing with the reality
by Laura J. Tibstra
Some names have been
changed to protect the rights of
those who have revealed possibly damaging information.
Informal student polls reveal
that it is likely that at least 70
percent of Bethel students will
consume alcohol at some point
in their college careers.
Yet Bethel claims to maintain a lifestyle statement
which reads, "We require
Bethel community members to
Otherwise, go to the U. of M."
Another Bethel student, Liz,
said, "I know lifestyle says
something, but I can drink and
still be a Christian...I don't go
out and get drunk; I'm not ruining my life; but I think the
lifestyle statement is a bunch
of bull."
Many students who drink at
Bethel, however, have an overall respect for the statement.
Senior student Beth agrees. "I
think that if they would trash
the entire lifestyle, I'd transfer.
"This isn't a perfect school. That is only an illusion
created in the admissions material."
— Barb Jensen, Dean of Women
abstain from...the possession
and use of all alcoholic beverages."
"This isn't a perfect school,"
said Barb Jensen, dean of women. "That is only an illusion
created in the admissions material,"
Student sentiment in regard
to the drinking issue is varied.
Said senior Lynn Gunnarson,
"I think it's wrong. If you sign a
statement that says you're nots
going to drink, you should
stick   to   that   commitment.
Freshman senators pave the way for new stairway
by D. Michael Ball
Freshman Senators Jess Elm-
quist and John hammers are
basking in the rays of political
success this week having successfully pushed for the installation of stairs behind Edgren
Residence Hall.
The stairway proposal was
part of their election platform.
"It's a good way to start the
year by having an election
promise carried through," Lam-
mers commented.
Construction of the wood
beam stairway, which will extend from Edgren to the dirt
parking lot below, will begin
next week. A footbridge from
the dirt lot to the adjacent road
will also be added, as well as a
stairway from the SRC parking lot to the football field.
"Because of numerous minor
injuries, it was essential that
something is done," Lammers ■
said. "It may have only been a
matter of time before something tragic could have hap
pened."
Elmquist and Lammers took
the problem to the Oct. 8
Senate meeting where a committee was formed lo confirm
the legitimacy of the claims. On
Oct. 15 they brought petitions
before Senate. In an Oct. 21
meeting with President George
Brushaber, BSA President Rod
Schlauger prompted results.
Brushaber told Vice President
Dwaine Lind to investigate the
problem which in turn led to
the administration's decision
to build.
Although the freshmen Senators initiated this year's'inle-
rest in the stair project, Woods
said, "I have had (the stairs) in
the budget for three or four
years." Until this year, it had
always been a low priority project and was consequently cut
from the agenda each year
when money was right.
Schlauger joked that it was
"scary" lo see senators carry
through on their platforms.
I came here because it was a
Christian college."
"I guess my perceptions
were incorrect. I expected a big
holy mountain, but what it
really is is a big sinful mess,"
concluded Beth.
Another senior, Jeff, added,
"I have decided that (the lifestyle statement) is just a formality and eventually you work
out your own lifestyle. In order
to grow and develop I have to
be free to make mistakes (if
that is what going against the
statement is...)."
A recurring theme in Ihe discussion of Bethel drinking is
integrity. The integrity of students signing a statement they
do not intend to hold, the integrity of an administration
supposedly enforcing the rule,
and the integrity of students in
confronting others with the
issue, are factors that must be
dealt with.
Students often feel that the
Bethel administration is apathetic to the cause. Daryn, a
junior, noted, "I'm willing to
bet that half of them (adminis-
tration and faculty] don't even
Alcohol, see p. 5