BUILD-ing a Student Body of Reconcilers
While being reconcilers is one of the seven core values outlined in Bethel University’s Covenant for Life Together, many students agree the lack of diversity on campus does not allow them the opportunity to truly become whole and holy reconcilers throughout their four years at Bethel.
However, after receiving inspiration from a member of the Board of Trustees and current physically and mentally handicapped students, Bethel is currently taking initiative to increase intellectual diversity on campus by establishing the Bethel University Inclusive Learning and Development (BUILD) program.
BUILD will essentially be a two-year postsecondary program that offers comprehensive educational experiences for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The students who are involved with this program will take four cohort classes entitled Independent Living, Social Skills, Math and Finance, and Jobs and Employment, and they will be required to take a Bible and Theology course, as well.
These students will also participate in internships throughout each of their four semesters at Bethel as they work toward earning Applied Skills Certificates with concentrations in health or human services, business, or education. These internships will take place on Bethel’s campus the first year and at local businesses the second year, allowing students the opportunity to develop professional relationships with both Bethel staff and faculty members and local employers.
According to Robin Hasslen, the BUILD Program Developer and Consultant, “A main goal for BUILD students is to provide them experience and practice in independent living.” In accordance with this objective, BUILD students will room exclusively together, but within the residence halls where traditional Bethel students live.
Hasslen also said peer mentoring will be an essential facet of the BUILD program, as each student will have “an academic mentor who will help with classwork from time to time, a social mentor who will make sure they are involved in all campus activities, and a residential mentor who will check in on them in the dorms.” In other words, this program will provide BUILD students with opportunities to fully participate in the Bethel residence life communities and dorm activities while still ensuring they receive the individualized care they need.
The idea for this program came a number of years ago from Julie White, a member of Bethel’s Board of Trustees. White herself was inspired by her daughter Emily’s successful experience in a similar program called PACE at National Louis University in Chicago.
According to Hasslen, White claims that despite the fact Emily has Down Syndrome, she now lives independently and maintains a fulfilling job thanks to the PACE program. “Julie thinks the only aspect lacking in Emily’s college experience was a faith component,” Hasslen said. “She firmly believes Bethel can put all the appropriate ingredients together for a successful postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities.”
The first cohort of 12 BUILD students will enter Bethel in the fall of 2015, and over 24 students have already applied to be part of this program. Benard Bampoh, a current freshman who has physical and mental disabilities, claims he is already excited for the BUILD students to arrive. “This program will make traditional students more aware of others’ needs, and I think it will be a very good thing for our campus in the long run,” he said.
Bampoh has nothing but good things to say about his experience at Bethel so far. “I was very worried at the beginning of the year because I’m not very independent, but so far everyone has been very welcoming and willing to help me when I need it,” he said.
The outlook for this program seems very optimistic; however, $500,000 still needs to be raised in order to fund the start-up costs of hiring a program director, preparing curriculum and materials, making required facilities accommodations, and starting a scholarship fund.
Bampoh personally acknowledges the importance of accommodating Bethel’s current facilities for these incoming students. “Most of the classrooms themselves are wheelchair accessible, but actually getting through the door and to my spot in the classroom is often hard for me,” he said. Therefore, the implementation of this program will not only accommodate the needs of BUILD learners but improve daily life at Bethel for current physically and mentally handicapped students, as well.
Bethel’s Covenant for Life Together claims, “At Bethel University, reconciling diversity is about more than alleviating differences. It’s about honoring the worth and dignity of all people.” While the BUILD program still has challenges to conquer before it can begin, this program will truly provide Bethel students with new opportunities to further their development into whole and holy reconcilers.
Bampoh, who dreams of one day living independently on campus and playing piano for a Vespers team, leaves BUILD developers with a word of encouragement: “Keep up the good work and see this program through despite the hardships,” he said. “I know many students will benefit from this in the future.”
