A Petition To Reform the MOU Between Bethel College and the NNPD

To the Bethel College Administration. Signatures will be shared publicly and with the College Administration in the second week of November 2025 (Extended from last week of October). For more context, and an explanation for why a petition, scroll down.

To sign, click »here.«

The following recommendations build on language from the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which expires on 1/13/26. We, the Bethel College community, advise the following reforms in the next iteration of the MOU (quoted material is from the current MOU):

“Both [Bethel College and the North Newton Police Department (NNPD)] commit to regular communication and periodic review of this agreement to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with the needs of the campus. Feedback from the community will be welcomed and incorporated into future revisions as appropriate.”

• We ask that the MOU establish a team composed of students, faculty, staff, representatives from the NNPD, and community members that will meet twice a year to review and reform the MOU and the relationship between Bethel College and the NNPD.

“This agreement recognizes the importance of balancing safety with the autonomy and privacy of the Bethel College community.”

• We ask the College to encourage the NNPD to limit their on-duty campus presence, whenever possible, to emergency situations requiring immediate law enforcement response, legally required interventions, and specific structured events or services. We believe such boundaries are necessary for ensuring a positive relationship between the NNPD and the Bethel College campus community.

• We urge Bethel College to provide structured opportunities for the NNPD to develop positive relationships with diverse student communities.

• Building on the recognition of the importance of the College’s privacy and autonomy, we encourage Bethel College to write a plan to strengthen reliable in-house safety measures.

“Both parties share a commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive and supportive environment.”

• We ask that Bethel College put on a “Know Your Rights” training available to students, provide specific channels within the institution of Bethel College for students to voice concerns related to interactions with police, and provide appropriate support and guidance for students who enter the criminal justice system.

“Officers assigned to campus duties plan to receive specialized training in areas such as mental health crisis response, diversity and inclusion, and the unique needs of a college community as relevant opportunities arise. Bethel College may provide input or host workshops to further align these efforts with its values.”

• We ask both parties to collaborate to identify specific training programs and workshops, to allocate funds, and to set dates for their completion.

To sign, click »here.«

Context:

Last fall, the Bethel College Administration incorporated regular on-campus foot patrols by the North Newton Police Department into their usual campus safety plan.

Many members of the community, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni, raised concerns and objections to this change. These concerns and objections were voiced through:

• A student letter-writing campaign to the Bethel Board of Directors

• The Board affirming the importance of dedicating time and energy to finding alternatives to police patrols

• A community conversation where many voiced concerns and opposition to the policy change and suggested alternatives to campus police patrols

• Students participating in Five Days of Action, including a Hymn Sing

• The Coalition Against Campus Patrols

• SGA legislation advocating for alternatives to campus patrols

The suggestions in this Petition aim to reform the current relationship between the NNPD and Bethel College, as outlined in the MOU linked here, to better reflect the concerns and suggestions voiced throughout last year by the community. The MOU encourages such community feedback.

Why a petition?

The MOU welcomes community feedback, and this Petition is intended to be an avenue for the community to give suggestions. Here are three additional, important reasons to circulate this Petition. A petition:

• Widens the circle. It keeps the conversation broad. A petition gives more people a say, keeping them engaged in this essential conversation about campus safety and policing. A petition is a great way to give folks a voice!

• Raises awareness. There are many students on campus who are new. A petition is an avenue through which we can have conversations with some of the new folks in our community about this important issue – and get them directly involved!

• Holds parties accountable. There may be a few things mentioned in the Petition that are in the works or that may be planned. A petition reminds folks that this is something we care about, and that these are things we are expecting. A lot of the folks accountable to this MOU are also accountable to the people. A petition is a way to organize the people to say, we care, and we are paying attention!

This Petition specifically advocates for reforms to the MOU. Perhaps in some cases, the MOU doesn’t reflect what might actually be going on, in which case, addressing the requests of this Petition may be a matter of updating the MOU so the policy does reflect what’s being done. However, by that same measure, there are ways in which the MOU could shape current practices in new ways, and this Petition outlines just a few of those possibilities.