Mission, Policies, & Strategic Plan

Inclusiveness and Diversity

Bethany College strives to affirm its commitment to being a community of inclusiveness and diversity by its Christian heritage and by its respect for human dignity. As the Church in mission in higher education, Bethany College is expected to respond to the gospel by recognizing more fully that the inclusive nature of this college is manifested in the gift of diversity. Likewise, as a human community, we are called to recognize the dignity and worth of all persons and to embody in our community, in as complete a measure as possible, the full richness and diversity of people.

The gift of diversity strengthens and enriches us. It brings us to listen to the voices and needs of others. We must learn more about each other and be more understanding of and sensitive to one another’s customs, values and needs. Our task is not to try to change or diminish these differences, but to share them lovingly with one another. By respecting the uniqueness of others and rejoicing in our diversity, we will find unity, peace, and justice.

We acknowledge and wish to promote the presence of diversity within the Bethany College community. Our diversity has many dimensions, for students, staff, faculty, and administration including age, gender, race, cultural and ethnic origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, ability, marital status, and employment categories within the college structure.

Bethany College declares its intention to actively bring about a more fully-inclusive and diverse college community, one which:

• is free of myths and stereotypes about gender, age, orientation, ability, religion, race, cultural and ethnic backgrounds;
• confronts racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination wherever and whenever they may appear in the life and values of the campus community;
• adopts policies and practices that acknowledge and protect the rights and dignity of all persons and which provide equitable access to resources;
• encourages and expects teaching and advising practices, professional behaviors and uses of language that promote the elimination of inappropriate, prejudicial and demeaning attitudes, assumptions and stereotypes about sex roles and racial or cultural identity;
• encourages the use of inclusive language about God in the college’s worship life;
• in hiring persons to fill positions at the college, seeks to actively employ women and persons of all races and diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds when hiring to fill all categories of employment;
• fosters an appreciation of diverse religious traditions and values systems; and
• works to continuously educate all administrators, faculty, staff and students about the issues, needs and concerns of people from diverse backgrounds.
  

Concern for inclusiveness and diversity must permeate the student recruitment process, the employment and advancement of faculty, administration and support staff, the design and implementation of curricular and co-curricular programs, the selection of the Board of Directors, and all other aspects of the life and operation of this college. Our mutual task,then, is to facilitate relationships which are defined by justice and love for one another. We are enriched by full partnership and fellowship among women and men of different races, cultures, and beliefs. Bethany College calls upon all members of the campus community to take responsibility for implementing this declaration.

Non-Discrimination, Grievance, & Privacy

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Bethany College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, abilities, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or veteran status in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its educational programs and activities, as specified by federal laws and regulations. Bethany College has designated an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Officer to coordinate compliance with these various laws and regulations.

Grievance Procedures

Bethany College has adopted grievance procedures which facilitate prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints alleging discrimination. In the event a student feels that she or he has received discriminatory treatment on the basis of sex, abilities, race, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran’s status, or national or ethnic origin, the student may obtain from the Human Resources Office located in Presser Hall a written copy of the grievance procedures and advice on how to use this process for addressing such discriminatory treatment. These procedures comply with the provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Privacy and Disclosure of Student Records

Bethany College complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, which ensures students and the parents of dependent students the opportunity to review the student’s educational records, to seek correction of errors in these records, and to limit disclosure of information from these records. A written request must be sent to the Registrar’s Office and an appointment will be made for the student to view his or her academic records within 10 working days of receipt of the request.

 Bethany College has adopted a policy which informs students and their parents of their rights under this Act and of the methods by which these rights may be exercised. A copy of this policy may be obtained from the offices of the Chief Academic Officer, Registrar, or Student Development. This policy is printed in the Student Handbook.

 A student who believes his or her rights of privacy have been violated may seek clarification of those rights or file a

complaint with The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office, Department of Education,

330 Independence Ave. S. W., Washington, DC 20201.

Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)

Bethany College’s Student Financial Services, which includes Financial Aid, complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). 

The following information regarding FERPA was taken from the U.S. Department of Education’s web-site and can be found at: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.”

Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.

Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.

Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):

    School officials with legitimate educational interest;

    Other schools to which a student is transferring;

    Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;

    Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;

    Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;

    Accrediting organizations;

    To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;

    Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and

    State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

Schools may disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.