Highlights from the September 6 town hall
Highlights from the September 6 town hall
Students questioned the Cabinet over police on campus
On Friday, September 6, the Bethel College Cabinet held a town hall aimed at addressing questions and concerns from the student body. Over the course of 50 minutes, the Cabinet fielded a series of questions almost all regarding the presence of police on campus.
The first question asked came from Lucy Buller, a senior from Newton, representing the Pride Alliance Council. Buller questioned President Jon Gering’s use of the phrase “trauma does not exist” during the opening Convocation of the 2024-2025 year. Gering responded that there may have been better word choices available, but stood by his broader point, saying that his goal had been to express that it is not necessary to “be held captive by the [perceived] relationship between harm and a negative future.”
Tristan England, a senior from Pretty Prairie, requested clarification on the college’s written policies regarding allowing police officers to patrol on campus, and referenced rumors of undercover police officers on campus, saying that “a lot of students have seen active duty police officers patrolling campus walking around campus… and there's been a lot of confusion.”
Gering responded that he had not been aware there were officers patrolling campus on foot, saying that the school had not asked the department to do so. He also responded that he was not aware of any undercover offices. Dr. MeShonya Wren-Coleman, Vice President for Student Life, followed up on Gering’s statements by saying that she had been aware of police patrolling on campus. She cited the loosening of lug nuts on students’ car tires as the reason for patrols.
Taryn Paulino, a sophomore from Bennington, took the microphone next, telling the Cabinet about instances in which she has interacted with police on campus, saying that she enjoyed the conversations, but worried that some students might be uncomfortable with police around. Paulino asked whether the Cabinet might consider introducing the police officers to students in order to make students comfortable.
Wren-Coleman responded by saying that once the budget allows, Bethel would hire its own security rather than relying on police. She continued, saying that the police force was small, and was brought in during Thresher Days to meet the student body. Wren-Coleman said that due to low attendance at meetings such as the town hall, “of course [the student body] won’t know who [the officers] are.” She went on to emphasize that the police were present for students’ protection, and said that she was unaware of any undercover police officers.
Gering encouraged students to talk to police officers they see on campus and ask for their name and ID. He said that “maybe the hidden risk is that there are people posing as police officers who aren’t.”
England followed Paulino, asking again for clarification on the college’s written policy towards police on campus. Gering responded that there is no current written policy, but that he and Wren-Coleman would clarify with the police the purpose of the foot patrols.
Next, Josue Coy Dick, a senior from Newton, questioned whether Bethel would be involved in the trainings which the Newton Community for Racial Justice does with the police department, saying “I think that would help students feel safer in proximity to police.” Coy Dick then asked if the administration would be addressing the discomfort which students of color might feel around police being present on campus.
Gering responded that he understands what it is like to feel uncomfortable around police, saying, “I mean, they’re intimidating.” Sheryl Wilson, Vice President for Culture and Belonging, spoke next, saying that the Newton Community for Racial Justice was putting together a training on “knowing your rights,” and that, “yes, Bethel will have a stake in that.”
Next, Peter Buller, a senior from Inman, questioned the presence of police possessing lethal weapons on a historically Mennonite campus. Gering responded, saying, “my answer is very pragmatic. At times, we require police officers to address issues that we can’t address.”
Wren-Coleman followed this, saying: “In the event of an emergency, you pick up the telephone and who would you call… you call the police department. So no, they're not going to change clothes before they come here. They have to show up in uniform, right?”
Lucy Buller then asked whether the administration would be willing to ask the police department to pursue mental health training, saying that “we know that police officers are not always the best in [mental health related] situations, and that they’re not always receiving the training that they need to deescalate mental health situations.”
Wren-Coleman responded that she wasn’t sure of the training the police received, but that she would ask the chief of police. Gering then encouraged students to call 988 rather than 911 in the event of a mental health emergency.
In response to a question from England, the Cabinet discussed what campus policy was around active shooter situations. Wren-Coleman said that there were training sessions with the police, open to the student body, on what to do in an active shooter situation.
In another question from England, he questioned whether long-term security plans would be given to the student body, and referenced the need for greater lighting on campus, which Lucy Buller also said was a need. Gering and Wren-Coleman said that they would do what they could to address the lighting issue.
Coy Dick then requested greater transparency and communication from the administration regarding why and when police would be on campus.
The town hall closed with Paulino bringing to the Cabinet’s attention the issue of a freshman whose Employment Experience position did not allow her to eat lunch, to which Gering responded, “we need to address [that] immediately,” and said that the administration was continuing to work on Employment Experiences. He concluded by encouraging students to communicate issues to the administration as they came up.