What Happens at Operation Bentley?

A lot happens at Operation Bentley at Albion College. Each year, the week is arranged a little differently in order to reflect the changes in politics, government, and the issues. The first half of Operation Bentley focuses on a simulation of local government. A field trip to Lansing begins the program's second-half focus on state government. There are also numerous guest speakers and political films.

The City of Camelot simulation is the focus of the first few days of Bentley. Students are assigned roles to play, from Mayor, to Police Chief, to a Beauty Salon owner. City growth and crime issues, ordinances, and zoning problems all confront students attempting to "do the right thing" and make everyone happy! Back-room deals, personal strategy, and an impending election bring excitement!

A great deal of reading, discussion, and debating occurs in the classrooms and simulations at Operation Bentley. Instead of focusing too much on procedure, Bentley students spend a large amount of time on the issues, reading current newspaper and magazine articles on hot topics, and tackling a few chapters from books written by Albion College professors! Bentleyites put their reading to use in the simulations, strategies and meetings. Real-life insight is found at the Capitol building in Lansing, where a day-long trip finds many students observing legislative activity, meeting with their representative, and hearing lobbyists discuss their agendas for the year.

Movies, campaign commercials, and topical lectures highlight the other academic and fun activities in the class setting. Full-length movies focusing on human rights, race relations, and old-fashioned humorous political parody often bring a lot of laughter and unbelievable shame and sadness over the actions of politicians and people. Past lectures included: the political and social history of Nazi Germany in World War II, taught by a nationally-recognized scholar (and Albion professor) of pyschohistory Geoff Cocks; the Art as Political Action seminar by Visual Arts professor Billie Wickre; and a discussion of Civil Union vs. Gay Marriage, led by Trisha Franzen, Associate Professor of women and gender studies.

Picnics, recreation, swimming, and a dance all allow for social interaction  throughout the week. Bentley students work hard and play hard as they get to know one another. A Bentley dance and game night on Friday evening has been a hot event for the last few years. The energy level is high, and Bentley delegates often find themselves a little short on sleep due to the program's many offerings.