Clarion 1999-12-08 Vol. 75 No. 07

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Wednesday, December 8, 1999
The Newspaper of Bethel College
blitme 75 • Number 7
Student Senate
proposes new
library hours
The Bethel Senate recently passed a resolution to
support the extension of library hours. After discussing
the issue last year wilh no result, the Senate will now
present a plan to Bethel administrators.
The MIAC libraries
are open for an average of 99
hours a week. Belhel having
ihe least with 80.5 hours and
Carleton having the most
with 116 hours.
Much of the difference
is due to the 16 hours that
Carleton's library is open on
Saturday to comparison with
Bethel's five hours.
Guys:
Do you have
those bulging
biceps?
Girls:
36-24-36...
How do you
match up?
See pages 8 and
9 for insight on
our outward
appearances.
Need tips for
your first date?
Check out the
Social Scientists'
final adventure
as they explore
the concept of
romance.
See page 6.
BSA, Campus Ministries host discussions
Clarion/Photo by Aileun Wallace
Panelists fielded students' questions at ti\e forum entitled "Bethel Beyond the Boyd Debate,1 hosted
by BSA on Nov. 22.
Proposed project faces opposition
By Jason Alexander Kroeker
Views Editor
Building planners and students arc anxiously looking forward to the fall semester of 2003,
when Belhel hopes to finish construction on a new Student Life
Center (SLC) linking the college
and seminary.
Others, however, are not as
enthusiastic. They feel il will take
away Ihe open space along Lake
Valentine, as well as detract from
the natural habitat.
"I would rather see the
space left as it is," said Bryan
Anderson, instructor of biology
and geology. Anderson is a member of a committee formed to provide ecological considerations for
the Studenl Life Center. The
committee's goal, Anderson said,
is to "push for real, sensible restrictions on what will be cut."
The Student Life Center
will be buill on the hill behind the
Arden Village West residences,
overlooking Lake Valentine.
The west hill is "one of the
last open spaces between the college and seminary," said biology
professor Robert Kistler. Once the
continued on page 2
By Christina Rankins
Managing Editor
BSA and Campus Ministries hosted two events in the past
couple of weeks, their purpose
being to increase awareness and
understanding of the current dialogue about the issue of God's
foreknowledge.
On Monday, Nov. 22, panel
members President George
Brushaber, Provost Jay Barnes,
history professor G. W. Carlson,
Chair of the Biblical and Theological Studies Departmenl John
Herzog and Clarion Editor-in-
Chief Sarah Aue gathered in the
Benson Great Hall. The panel, invited to the forum entitled "Belhel
Beyond ihe Boyd Debate" by
BSA, fielded questions raised by
an audience of over 100 students.
Student Body President Brian
Westrate acted as moderator for
the event.
On Monday, Nov. 29, Campus Ministries hosted an overview
of Open theism presented by Professor Greg Boyd in the RC gym.
Following his presentation, questions were offered by the audience
of students, faculty, administrators and members of the local
community.
Dr. Boyd's presentation
continued on page 2
LABs prepare students for real world
By Laura Baker
Contributing Writer
Whai would you do if
someone offered you a drink at
the bar, and you were no longer
under Ihe restraints of the Bethel
Covenant of Li fe Together? Have
you ever been challenged to think
about it?
Bethel's upperclassmen are
encouraged to consider real life
situations like this one at the Life
After Belhel (LAB) sessions
hosted by Residence Life in Heritage Hall.
These LAB sessions are offered to atl juniors and seniors to
Stimulate thought about what happens after Bethel.
LABs are scheduled for Ihe
last Tuesday night of every month
from 8 to 9 p.m. They are held in
Ihe second floor lounge of Heritage Hall.
The idea for these sessions
stemmed from hearing such
Belhel alumni responses as "I
wasn't prepared for
this, and I wish I
had learned ihis in
college." Concerned members of
Residence Life realized lhat certain
issues needed to be
addressed. Oul of this concern
came the idea for the Life After
Bethel sessions.
Christine Osgood, the RD
of Heritage Hall, explained that
LABs were meant lo "raise questions rather than answer ihem."'
Students are encouraged to think
about practical situations that
could be encountered after collesc
and what lo do if placed in them.
In September, the issue of
alcohol consumption and "happy
hour" was brought before the stu-
\rtf vent nrady for Lite A'*cr Uetili.Tr
dents. Various skits and scenarios
were used as vehicles lo encourage thought about ihis subject.
In October, Beihel's Ihcol-
ogy and seminary professors were
brought in to lei I how ihcy have
learned to be salt in a lost world.
They also explained how to articulate theological beliefs lo unbelievers.
At November's meeting, a
panel of three married couples
discussed questions lhat students
had submitted regarding sex and
intimacy in marriage.
Senior Jodi Nelson, an RA
in Heritage Hall who has attended
all of ihe sessions, remarked that
this is an extremely profitable program thai challenges each upper-
classman to think differently. She
said each session "sparked many
hours of conversation among residents."
Nelson added that her favorite part of these meetings was
the relevance of each issue discussed. After each session, upperclassmen walk away with a practical challenge regarding life after Bethel.
Upcoming topics include
career life in January and finances
and budgeting in February.