Clarion 1998-09-10 Vol. 74 No. 01

              A&E:
page 11 Sports:        pages 14 & 15
Poor Baker's Dozen:
Reveiw of the new release
Sports Preview:
A look at what the fall
season holds
Variety:
pages 6 & 7
A 'fat-free' photo spread:
First-year students and Welcome Week
leaders in orientation activities
iy, September 10,1998
NEWSPAPER OF BETHEL COLLEGE
Volume 74 * Number 1
Clarion/ Photo by Matt Lang
Professor Dan Postema addresses the audience after receiving the
Distinguished Faculty award at the Bethel Convocation held on
September 3.
Bethei actresses parking issues
By Douglas Ascher
Staff Writer
What do a needle in a haystack,
Bigfoot and an open parking space
at Bethel have in common? They
are all hard to find.
With 616 freshman, 110
transfer students, and more
returning students with cars,
parking at Bethel is going to be
tight this year. However,
administrators are optimistic that
the parking situation will improve.
There are 1.682 parking spaces
available on the Bethel College
and Seminary campus. Not
including seminary student
parking, there are 547 overnight
spaces available to college
students.
Although some spaces were
lost due to the construction on
campus, these spots were replaced
by the expansion of the West lot
near the intramural field.
Some students suggested that
Bethel should expand an existing
lot or create a new lot with daytime
and overnight parking. Although
creating a new lot is an idea!
solution, Bethel is restricted from
doing so.
"Bethel must follow the
Special Use Permit laws,"
said Director of Institutional
Services, Bruce Kunkei. The
Special Use Permit laws
states that Bethel's roads,
buildings, parking lots and
paved paths must not exceed
25% of the buildable area on
campus. According to
Kunkei, after all of the
construction on campus is
complete, Bethel will have
built-up approximately 24%
of the buildable land.
Bethel Security has some
suggestions for students who
still feel parking is a
problem. "Students can use
the shuttle service from
Fountain Terrace," said Head
of Security, Derrick
Skoglund. "Carpooling is
also a good way to help
reduce the amount of spaces
needed...Also, daytime
parking attendants arc going
to be helping drivers this
year. They will barricade or
use cones lo block full lots,
continued on page 2
Bethel ranks among top
Midwest liberal arts colleges
By Amy K. N. Herman
News Editor
In its latest issue of "America's
Best Colleges," U.S. News and
World Report ranked Bethel among
the top 10 liberal arts colleges in
the Midwest.
In its report, U.S. News ranks
colleges and universities based on
a score produced by a formula
including academic reputation,
student retention, faculty resources,
student selectivity, financial
resources and alumni giving.
For the fourth consecutive year.
Bethel has been included in the
magazine's rating. This year, Bethel
ranked ninth in the category of
Midwest Regional Liberal Arts
Colleges. Bethel also ranked fourth
in the same category's Highest
Graduation Rate.
U.S. News has compiled the
rankings annually for more than
10 years. For the past two years,
Bethel has ranked in the top 10
liberal arts colleges in the
Midwest. In 1996, Bethel ranked
among the best liberal arts
colleges in the Midwest for top
leaching schools.
"The rankings are based on
accepted measures of academic
quality," described U.S. News'
web site. "The rankings condense
a great deal of information,
making it easier to compare
institutions."
By condensing college
information, the magazine intends
their ratings to be used as a
helpful tool in choosing a college
for both students and parents.
Bethel's recognition in the magazine
is one possible explanation for the
recent increase in the student population
on campus.
"It has had an impact on the growth
and enrollment over the past few years
at Bethel," said Admissions
Coordinator, John Lawson. "It one of
many factors...People do look at the
magazine...in some people's minds it
gives us more credibility."
Bethel's Public Relations
Department agrees. "I know from the
parents that were here for Welcome
Week, they are picking this up in
bookstores and are interested in seeing
where we are," said Bethel's
Communication Specialist and
coordinator of the information sent lo
U.S. News. Anne Johmmsen.
Performance statistics on page 2
Use caution ahead:
construction covers campus
By Amy K.N. Herman
News Editor
Construction projects
cover much of Bethel's campus
this fall, and will continue
throughout the year. These
projects include the
construction of a new dorm and
the FA expansion.
To alleviate future housing
crunches, the new dorm is
scheduled to be completed by
the Fall of 1999. This residence
will include 264 beds.
Currently, the foundation has
been laid and the block work
has begun. The brick arrived last
week.
Also to be completed by the
Fall of 1999, is the FA
expansion. This expansion
includes two additions. The
addition to the  south,  the
smaller of the two additions,
will create more space for the
art, theater, music and
computer departments. The
north expansion will connect
the AC and FA buildings as
well as create more space for
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many departments, mainly
chemistry. Currently, the foundation
is complete, and construction teams
will soon begin to lay block..
Director of Physical Plant, Craig
Hjelle, is working to ensure that
continued on page 2
ROAD
WORK
.AHEAD