The Academic Community
Accreditation and Memberships
Accreditation
Berry College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the
Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools. Contact the Commission on Colleges
at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500
for questions about the accreditation of Berry College to award
baccalaureate, master's and education-specialist degrees. Berry College
is also accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of
Teacher Education. Berry's music program is accredited by the National
Association of Schools of Music. Berry's programs in business are
accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Memberships
The college is a member of the American Association of Colleges for
Teacher Education, Georgia Association of Colleges, American Council on
Education, Association of American Colleges and Universities, American
Association of University Women and the Georgia Foundation for
Independent Colleges.
For information on graduate-program accreditation, see the introduction to the Graduate Catalog.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Library Facilities
Memorial Library provides access to an excellent collection of
resources in all formats and a well-qualified staff whose first concern
is the student. Personalized reference assistance, interlibrary loan at
no charge and library instruction upon request are among the many
services offered to all Berry undergraduate and graduate students.
The spacious, well-furnished facility, centrally located on campus, is
open 90 hours a week, including evenings and weekends. More than 400
individual study seats, as well as comfortable group study areas and a
coffee shop, are available. All library computer workstations offer
access to the online catalog, the Internet, e-mail and selected
applications. Library-wide wireless access and laptop docking stations
expand user options for complete connectivity with notebook computers
and other portable electronic devices.
Print and microform holdings total more than 700,000 volumes. The
library subscribes to more than 1,700 journals. Additionally, the
library provides access to more than 125 discipline-based research
databases, including those in GALILEO (Georgia Library Learning Online)
as well as additional subscriptions to numerous other online academic
information resources. Selected databases include full-text access to
more than 21,000 journals and newspapers. Electronic information
resources for the campus are coordinated by the library; most are easily
accessible from the library's home page, whether the student resides on
or off campus.
As an official selective Government Depository, the library's
collection also includes more than 100,000 government documents. The
Berry College Archives collections include the Martha Berry papers,
administrative records of the institution, college publications and
photographs.
Center for Instructional Technology
The Center for Instructional Technology, located on the second floor of
Evans Hall, supports Berry's increasing emphasis on the importance of
instructional technology by closely partnering with faculty, multimedia
services, computing and technology, and the academic staff to support
the use of instructional technologies and the effective integration of
these technology resources into their teaching and research in the most
effective manner. The Center for Instructional Technology provides
consulting, training, design and support for faculty using technology in
the classroom to enhance instruction and strengthen the curriculum.
Multimedia Services
Multimedia Services, located on the second floor in Evans Hall, was
established to serve the campus community through planning and
maintaining all multimedia classrooms and support other areas requiring
multimedia equipment.
The multimedia needs of the campus are addressed by its inventory of
fixed and portable media units. The multimedia staff members oversee the
operation of Berry's two cable channels featuring Berry-produced videos
and a local-origination message channel.
Traditional audiovisual and media services, such as laminating, video editing and duplication are provided.
Computer Support
The college provides six general-access computer laboratories, allowing
access to 129 PC and Macintosh systems. These facilities are
strategically located around campus and are available 90 hours a week
during academic sessions. They are staffed by well-qualified student
workers and supported by the department of computing and technology. A
help desk is staffed 50 hours a week during academic sessions to provide
computer hardware and software support. An answering service is
available on a 24-hour basis daily for reporting major outages.
All major buildings are connected to a high-speed gigabit Ethernet
backbone network over fiber-optic cables. The college also provides
access to the Internet over two divergently routed fail-over Internet
circuits (32 Mbps Administrative and 40 Mbps Student) provided by
BellSouth. All faculty have access to instructional software that allows
the use of Web-based course materials and interactive experiences for
students.
All residence-hall students have a free 10/100 Mbps Ethernet network
outlet for their personal computers in their rooms. Remote dial-in
access is available for students residing off campus.
Wireless is available in the major classroom buildings, Memorial Library, Krannert Center and Hermann Hall.
Each residence-hall room has a telephone for local service and cable TV
outlet. Service for both are included in the room rate. The college
does not offer long-distance telephone service, but rather students are
encouraged to use cell phones or calling cards. Wireless data is
available in select locations utilizing the 802.11 Band G WiFi standard.
The college continues to honor its commitment to improve and increase computing capabilities and resources.
First-Year Experience
The office of the First-Year Experience, located in the Krannert Center,
offers a variety of support services to help new students adjust to the
academic and social demands of college life. In addition to assisting
the dean of academic services with the first-year advising program, the
office coordinates the First-Year Seminar (BCC 100). During orientation,
the office offers a two-hour "crash course" in college success and
organizes a book discussion that allows freshmen to enjoy dinner and
conversation with Berry faculty and staff, usually in their homes. In
conjunction with the Bonner Center for Community Service, the First-Year
Experience office organizes First-Year Service Day, an opportunity for
new students to get to know each other and the community by giving a day
of service in Rome and Floyd County.
Academic Support Center
The Academic Support Center seeks to provide all Berry students with
learning support in their academic work, directed toward overall
academic success and thus improved student retention. The Center is
responsible for coordinating the assessment of the documented needs of
special-needs students and then seeks to work with faculty and other
Berry staff to meet those needs as appropriate. As part of its support
for educational success, the Center will be responsible for coordinating
the tutoring services within various academic disciplines.
Special-topic workshops in topics such as effective time management and
strengthening study skills are offered as needed, and other study-skills
support materials are available in the Center.
Center for Economic Education
The Center for Economic Education is affiliated with the National
Council and the Georgia Council on Economic Education. The center
encourages economic education at all levels, from kindergarten through
college. Through the center, faculty members and other experts offer
summer institutes for teachers in economic education, consultation on
economic education for participating schools and various special
programs. In addition, the center collects economics and
economic-education resource materials. Many of the materials are
available to users through a free loan service, and others may be used
in the center.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS
General Degree Requirements
To earn a bachelor's degree, a student must complete a minimum of 124
semester hours with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 on all hours
undertaken at Berry College and on all hours in her or his major course
work at Berry. Some majors require a C or a C- in all courses in the
major as noted in the requirements for each major. See the school's
description of majors for details. When a course must be repeated at
Berry, both grades in the course will be included in the grade-point
average.
Class Absences
Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Each student is
responsible to the instructor in matters pertaining to class attendance.
The student should explain the cause of each absence. If the absence is
deemed justifiable, the instructor may grant the student an opportunity
to make up the work.
Because the college is concerned about the academic success of the
student, instructors are required to keep records of class attendance.
Instructors should explain to each of their classes at the beginning
of every semester what constitutes "excessive absences." A student with
excessive absences may be withdrawn from the class at the request of the
professor, as explained under Academic Policies in Viking Code.
The Writing Programs at Berry
First-Year Program in Rhetoric and Writing
The first-year writing program focuses on the interrelationship between
thinking and writing. In order to achieve this emphasis, particular
attention is paid to analytical and critical thinking as it affects the
quality of content in writing. Thus, the required courses in rhetoric
and writing become foundations for all academic work students will
undertake while they are at Berry. Students are encouraged to complete
ENG 101 and ENG 102 in their first year of academic study; matriculated
students may not complete ENG 101 and 102 as transient students
elsewhere. In order to complete the writing sequence, students must earn
a C- or better in ENG 101 and ENG 102.
Writing Across the Curriculum
The writing-intensive program, Writing-Across-the-Curriculum, is grounded in two beliefs:
- Writing is an essential skill for lifelong learning.
- Active learning of course content is enhanced as students'
involvement in critical and analytical thinking is prompted by a
variety of writing tasks that receive feedback from peers and/or
instructors.
The goal of the program is to assist students in developing writing and
cognitive skills. Faculty involved in teaching WI courses have received
special instruction in ways to integrate writing as a tool for
enhancing critical thinking and information acquisition. Students will
use a wide variety of prewriting, drafting, revision and peer-review
strategies so that writing becomes a means to content mastery within
particular courses and disciplines. Students are required to complete a
minimum of two writing-intensive courses at the 300- and 400-level in
each major totaling a minimum of six semester hours ordinarily within
their major after they complete the freshman-writing sequence.
The Writing Center
The Writing Center is a central element in Berry's commitment to
Writing Across the Curriculum. The Center provides support to students
at any stage of the writing process in a variety of courses and
disciplines. Students receive help on all aspects of writing from
brainstorming strategies to revision to editing. The Writing Center is
staffed by undergraduate peer consultants, trained to work with students
through one-on-one sessions, online through e-mail tutoring and through
workshops.
Eligibility for Honors
Eligibility for graduation with honors requires a combined grade-point
average of 3.5 on all work undertaken, including both transfer and Berry
credits (excluding credit by CLEP and similar examinations and credit
graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory). Repeated courses are included. A
student who transferred to Berry must also have a minimum 3.5 average on
all work undertaken at Berry for such eligibility.
Students whose combined cumulative average is at least 3.5 but less
than 3.7 will be graduated cum laude; 3.7 but less than 3.9, magna cum
laude; and 3.9 and above, summa cum laude.
Students who achieve a grade-point average of at least 3.5 on a minimum
of 12 graded semester hours are placed on the Dean's List for that
semester.
Academic Integrity, Violations and Appeals
The Berry College community affirms its support of academic integrity as
reflecting founder Martha Berry's commitment to educating the head,
heart and hands, and as the foundation of college life and experience.
We believe that mutual trust among Berry's students, faculty and staff
is essential to the operation of the college and that all members of the
Berry College community are responsible for working together to
establish and uphold an environment conducive to honorable academic
endeavor.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the
following: cheating, unauthorized collaboration, plagiarism,
fabrication, multiple submissions, and aiding and abetting;
Cheating: using or providing unauthorized information or aids
on any examination or other graded assignment; altering a graded work
prior to its return to a faculty member; doing another's work or
allowing another person to do one's work, and submitting it for grading;
Unauthorized Collaboration: working with another person on a
project, assignment, examination, test or quiz, unless collaborative
work has been stipulated by the instructor;
Plagiarism: submitting material that in part or whole is not one's own work without properly attributing the source(s) of its content;
Fabrication: inventing or falsifying information, data or
citations; altering or creating any document or record affecting the
grade or academic standing of oneself or others;
Multiple Submissions: submitting identical or substantially
similar papers or course work for credit in more than one course without
prior permission of the instructor(s);
Aiding and Abetting: providing material, information or other
assistance which violates any of the above standards for academic
integrity; providing false information in connection with any inquiry
regarding "academic integrity."
Where there is suspected violation of academic integrity policy, the concerned faculty member should:
- discuss the suspected infraction directly with the student(s)
involved. At the faculty member's or the student's discretion, the
school dean, department chair or faculty colleague may be present during
this discussion as a witness;
- make copies of relevant materials before returning them to the students(s) for any approved amendment or revision;
- discuss the suspected infraction and the documented evidence with
the department chair, dean or a colleague if collegial advice is
desired. In all such cases, the privacy of the student(s) involved must
be protected;
- make a decision based on the evidence and determine appropriate
sanctions; sanctions may include warning the student, or reducing the
assignment, exam or course grade; if sanctions are imposed, discuss
these and the appeals process with the student;
- if a student is found to have violated academic integrity policy,
notify the provost (or associate provost) in writing. This document
should include
- information about the course, the faculty involved and the student(s) involved;
- the time and date of the incident, and a description of the
incident and any evidence that indicates an infraction of academic
integrity;
- any sanctions imposed by the faculty member in response to this incident; and
- a confirmation that the faculty member has discussed with the
student the incident, any sanctions imposed and the student's right to
appeal the faculty member's decision.
Students seeking to appeal the sanction concerning academic integrity
may appeal to a subcommittee consisting of equal numbers of faculty and
students of Academic Council that will be convened by the provost or
associate provost.
Students who are sanctioned for violating academic integrity policy
forfeit the right to withdraw from the class with a W grade.
Academic Probation
Academic probation results when a student's record calls into question
her or his long-range chances for academic success and eventual
graduation. At the end of any semester in which her or his Berry
cumulative grade-point average is below 2.0, a student is placed on
academic probation for the succeeding semester. Students on academic
probation must limit their enrollment to 16 hours. (See section on
Classification, Grade Points and Semester Hours for additional
information.) A student may be removed from probational status only by
achieving a 2.0 Berry cumulative average.
Suspension
While on academic probation, a student is subject to suspension from
the college if her or his cumulative average on all hours undertaken at
Berry College is below that required for the designated number of total
hours attempted. Students will be considered enrolled for any semester
in which they received a grade or grades affecting the grade-point
average. Students will not be subject to suspension for academic reasons
if they meet the standards listed above after one semester on academic
probation or if during successive semesters of probation they complete a
minimum load of 12 semester hours and earn a minimum semester average
of 2.3. Any time a student who has attempted a minimum of 20 hours earns
less than a 1.0 grade-point average for a term and her or his
cumulative grade-point average on all hours undertaken at Berry College
is less than the minimum cumulative average required for the total hours
attempted, the student may be suspended.
Total Hour
Attempted
|
Min. Cumulative Average
|
0-20
|
1.7
|
21-39
|
1.8
|
40-59
|
1.9
|
60-above
|
2.0
|
"Total Hours Attempted" means the total of
- credit hours of courses taken at Berry for which any grade other than I, W, or WS has been recorded;
- the number of hours accepted as transfer credit from another institution, if any; and
- the number of hours of CLEP and/or CBE credit earned by the student, if any.
Readmission
After the required period of suspension from Berry, a student may
request readmission through the office of admissions. Following an
original suspension, a student may request readmission after a period
of one semester; after a second suspension, the student is eligible to
apply for readmission only after the lapse of one calendar year. In
either case, readmission is based on the college's judgment that such
an action would be in the best academic and other interests of both the
student and Berry College. Before applying for readmission, a student
should be certain that the conditions which led to the original academic
problems have been or can be corrected.
Dismissal
Dismissal for academic reasons represents a permanent separation from
the institution and is a step of such seriousness that it is taken only
after the most deliberate consultation. Dismissal may result when a
readmitted student does not attain good academic standing for her or his
classification after two semesters of reenrollment following a second
suspension.
Special Situations
The Committee on Academic Standards reviews student academic progress
at the end of each semester. Regardless of academic classification, a
student may be subject to suspension or dismissal if, in the opinion of
the committee, the student's only marginal academic progress makes her
or his continuance at Berry unwise. The committee will consider appeals
of those who claim extenuating circumstances in relation to their
academic situation.
Involuntary Withdrawal from College
Berry College may require at any time the withdrawal of any student
whose conduct or academic standing it regards as undesirable, either for
the student's sake or for the college's.
If the undesirable conduct is unintentional but suggests that the
student may be harmful to self or others or is incompatible with the
good order and operation of the college, the matter will be referred to
the dean of students. The dean of students will consult with health-care
providers, professors, counselors and other individuals as appropriate.
The dean of students may require interim, temporary or permanent
withdrawal of the student.
If the undesirable conduct is deliberate, the student will be subject
to the rules and procedures provided in the "Code of Student Conduct"
and "Judicial Board of Student Conduct Bylaws" in the Viking Code.
Students who leave the campus under the above conditions, either
voluntarily or involuntarily, may be readmitted to the college only
after being cleared by the dean of admissions with concurrence of the
dean of students. Permission for readmission may take into account the
student's demonstrating a period of stable behavior outside the
college and may require a statement from a physician, psychologist or
other qualified professionals that the student is ready to return and
cope successfully with college life. Follow-up services or special
conditions may be required as part of the readmission decision.
Leave of Absence
There are situations such as medical or family emergencies when a
student must withdraw from classes for a semester with every intention
of returning the next semester. The student may, in these cases, request
approval of a Leave of Absence that, if granted, would mean that he or
she would not have to complete the withdrawal-from-the-institution
process and then reapply for admission. In applying, the student will be
asked to indicate the term of absence, the reason for the absence and
to provide documentation of the reason stated so that the provost and/or
associate provost may consider the request.
While students are encouraged to apply for the Leave of Absence prior to
the beginning of a term or during the drop/add period, students must
complete the Leave of Absence form and turn it in to the associate
provost's office no later than the end of the withdrawal period,
typically the fifth week of the regular fall or spring terms, for
approval to be considered for the current term. Students who have begun
course work during the term and who receive permission for the leave
after the drop/add period would be granted a W for all courses for which
they are registered; these hours would count, however, as hours
attempted.
A student approved for a Leave of Absence will be eligible to
preregister at the same time he or she would if enrolled at Berry and
will, upon returning to the college, be coded as a current student. The
student is responsible for meeting all fee deadlines,
housing-application deadlines, etc., as is a student in residence.
A Leave of Absence will be granted for no more than one term in
duration. If students must be gone from the institution longer than one
term, they must formally withdraw and then reapply for admission.
Students should be advised that an approved Leave of Absence may affect
the student's eligibility for financial aid and grants; students seeking
approval of a Leave should consult with financial aid.
GRADING AND CREDIT HOURS
Grades and Examinations
At the end of each semester, examinations are administered according to
a schedule printed in the Berry College Class Schedule. Semester grade
reports are mailed to each student's home address.
Grades are recorded on the permanent record as follows:
| A |
superior 4 grade points per hour of credit |
| A- |
3.7 grade points per hour of credit |
| B+ |
3.3 grade points per hour of credit |
| B |
above average 3 grade points per hour of credit |
| B- |
2.7 grade points per hour of credit |
| C+ |
2.3 grade points per hour of credit |
| C |
average 2 grade points per hour of credit |
| C- |
1.7 grade points per hour of credit |
| D+ |
passing, but
below average 1.3 grade points per hour of credit |
| D |
1 grade point per hour of credit |
| F |
failure no grade points |
| S |
satisfactory not averaged in grade points |
| U |
unsatisfactory not averaged in grade points |
| H |
honors not averaged in grade points
(Honors, Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory grades are limited to student teaching, internships and other approved offerings.) |
| |
The following symbols are used when a student does not receive a passing grade or an F: |
| X |
audit no credit |
| I |
incomplete work resulting from illness or emergency |
| W |
withdrew without penalty no effect on grade points |
| WF |
withdrew failing averaged in grade points |
| WS |
withdrew from school or course resulting
from illness no effect on grade points |
| NR |
not reported no effect on grade points (an administrative notation in
the absence of a grade) |
Official withdrawal from a course must be accomplished through the
student's academic advisor. If the withdrawal is made during the first
five weeks of a semester, the student will receive a W on the course
from which the withdrawal is made. After five weeks, the grade will be
either W or WF, depending on whether the grade at the time of withdrawal
is passing or failing. Only in unusual circumstances, however, will a
student be permitted to withdraw from a course during the last three
weeks of the semester, even if the grade in the course is passing.
Failure to withdraw properly will result in the F grade.
Should a student officially withdraw or be suspended during the
semester, the grade will be either W or WF, depending on whether the
grade at the time of withdrawal is passing or failing. If the
withdrawal is for medical reasons, as determined by the provost, the
student will be assigned the WS grade. Grades recorded prior to the
student's withdrawal from school will remain on the record.
The date of dropping a class in no way implies a tuition refund. In
cases affecting a student's receipt of financial aid, federal and state
regulations specify that the last date of class attendance be used as
the date of withdrawal. See Refund of Charges.
Time Limit for Grade Changes
Nonincomplete grades may not be challenged or changed after the end of
the next semester in which the grade in question was earned. Incomplete
grades must be completed and removed in the next semester of enrollment,
or two semesters if not enrolled. Otherwise, the I becomes an F.
Classification, Grade Points and Semester Hours
Students are classified according to number of hours of credit earned.
With fewer than 30 hours the student is classified as a freshman; with
as many as 30 hours but fewer than 60, a sophomore; with as many as 60
hours but fewer than 90, a junior; and with 90 or more hours, a senior.
A student's grade-point average is determined by dividing the number of
grade points earned by the number of hours attempted, including any on
which the student earned a grade of F or WF. Grade-point averages at
Berry College will be rounded off to two decimal points for all
reporting purposes, including transcripts, academic standards and
graduation.
Berry College will use the following terminology for grade-point
averages: Berry cumulative; transfer; and combined, which includes the
Berry cumulative and the transfer cumulative.
A student normally will take 12 to 18 credit hours a semester. To
register for more than 18 hours, a student must have an average of 3.0
(B) for the semester preceding that in which the overload is intended.
In extreme cases, however, exceptions may be made by the provost. For
consideration by the provost, requests must be filed on the forms
available in that office. Students with a 3.0 semester average for the
preceding semester need not file a request. No student on academic
probation may take more than 16 credit hours, or 15 credit hours plus
one hour of credit for a physical-education activity course. Regardless
of the grade-point average earned for the preceding semester, a student
will not be allowed to take more than 21 semester hours.
A student will not be permitted to earn credit for a basic course in
any area in which acceptable college credit for a more advanced course
has been earned or awarded.
Auditing Courses
A currently enrolled student who desires to enroll for a course without
receiving academic credit may audit the course. The student must receive
the approval of the instructor prior to registering.
Students will not be permitted to change to credit status after the
add/drop period ends. Additionally, students may not change from credit
status to audit status after the add/drop period ends.
Repeating Courses
Students may repeat courses already passed or failed, but hours of
credit will be counted only once toward the total hours for graduation.
For determining the cumulative grade average, all attempts in a course
will be counted.
Grades and credits earned at other institutions are not used in the
calculation of the grade-point average required to remain in good
academic standing. Therefore, work repeated at another institution
cannot be used to improve the grade-point average at Berry College.
Grades in all courses attempted at Berry College and at other colleges
(including repeated courses) will be included in the computation of the
student's grade-point average to determine scholarship awards and
graduation with honors.
Credit for Prior Educational Experience
Students wishing to receive transfer credit for course work taken at
another accredited institution should consult the Transfer Credit
Policies found in the Admissions section of this catalog. Berry College
will not grant transfer credit for course work from nonaccredited
institutions or for prior experiential learning. Students who wish to
demonstrate proficiency in areas covered by Berry courses may be allowed
to earn credit for those courses through a variety of examinations.
Credit by Examination
Advanced Placement Program
Berry College grants credit to a student who presents acceptable scores
on one or more of the Advanced Placement Program examinations of the
CEEB in the areas in which Berry has courses. On some examinations,
students gain credit for a score of three or higher; for others, a score
of four or higher is required.
Credit by Examination
Berry offers its regularly enrolled, degree-qualifying students an
opportunity to receive full academic credit for many of its courses upon
passing successfully an examination administered within the school in
which the course is taught. Upon approval of the academic advisor, the
student may apply for Credit by Examination (CBE) through the office of
the provost. Before the examination is administered, the student will
pay at the business-services office an examination fee of $30 per
course-credit hour.
A student may not apply for CBE for any course in which participation
or activity is essential to the objectives of the course, or a course
which was previously audited in college either formally or informally,
or a course in an area in which more advanced credit has been earned or
awarded. At all times, the discretion for deciding whether the
requirements for a particular course may be satisfied by passing an
examination rests with the department in which the course is offered.
The examining instructor reports to the registrar the results of the
examination. If the examination has been passed, full credit for the
course will be given and will be listed on the student's transcript as
"passed (S)." A grade of passing is reflective of at least a C
performance. Should the examination be failed, no notation will be made
on the student's permanent record, and the student will not be allowed
to repeat the examination for credit in that particular course.
International Baccalaureate Programme (IB)
Berry College recognizes the IB programme and welcomes the submission
of IB examination results. No credit will be awarded solely for earning a
Diploma, for the results of any Subsidiary-level examinations, or for
scores below 5 on any Higher-level examination.
Berry College will award credit for scores of 5, 6, or 7 on the
Higher-level examinations. Students are required to provide a certified
copy of the IB examination results.
Credit from Service School Courses
Berry College generally follows the recommendations of the American
Council on Education in the evaluation of educational experiences in the
Armed Services. Veterans should contact the registrar about such
evaluations and equivalent college credits.
Continuing Education Unit
Continuing Education Units (CEU) may be earned by participating in
appropriately planned activities not otherwise offered for credit. One
CEU is earned through 10 contact hours of participation in an organized
continuing-education experience such as a symposium or conference
sponsored or co-sponsored by Berry College.
While these units do not accumulate toward a degree, they are
recommended by the College Delegate Assembly of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools as a means of recognizing the
individual's participation in noncredit activities meeting the
appropriate criteria. These criteria are established by the association
and Berry; participants are made aware at the time of enrollment of the
availability of and requirements for earning the CEU. A decision that
the CEU will be awarded cannot be made after the program or activity has
been offered. Certificates designating the CEU credit are awarded after
successful completion of the program. Announcements and fees of
activities meeting the criteria are made by the college.
Academic Transcripts
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of
1974, as amended, transcripts are issued only at the written request of
the student. Telephone requests cannot be accepted. A minimum of 24
hours' advance request time is required. Every attempt is made to honor
requests within 48 hours. As this timing is not always possible,
students should request transcripts well in advance of their need for
them in order to allow time for mailed transcripts to reach their
destination. Official transcripts bear the seal of the college. A $5 fee
is charged for each official copy. Currently enrolled students may
print unofficial copies for their own use from Viking Web. Transcripts
will not be issued for those who are delinquent in their financial
obligations to the college.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Access to Student Information
Under provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of
1974, as amended, students have the right of access to official records
maintained on them by Berry College. A student may inspect and review
her or his educational records by filing a written request with the
registrar. Although access may be normally obtained without undue delay,
officials are permitted a 45-day period within which to respond to any
request. For further information, please refer to the student handbook,
Viking Code.
Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended,
also provides that the following categories of information may be
released by the college as public unless the student chooses to have the
information withheld. Such information may be released routinely to
certain inquirers and the news media unless the student requests in writing the fall semester of each year that this list be withheld.
- Name
- Address, including
- home
- residence hall and room number
- local off-campus address
- Current telephone listing
- Place of birth
- Major field of study
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Weight and height, if a member of an athletic team
- Dates of attendance, including current classification and year,
matriculation and withdrawal dates
- Degrees, awards and honors received, including dates granted
- The most recent previous educational agency or institution attended
- Berry e-mail address
- Status (full-time/part-time)
- Identification photograph
Release of Information
Without the student's written consent, Berry College does not release
confidential information to anyone other than Berry College personnel
requiring information for the proper performance of their duties;
organizations conducting studies for educational and governmental
agencies; accrediting agencies; appropriate persons in case of health or
safety emergencies; agencies or offices in connection with the
student's application for or receipt of financial aid; governmental
officials, as identified in Public Law 93-380; parents of dependent
children, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; and an
appropriate official in response to a court order. Students who wish to
release to parents routine grade reports or other official
correspondence must complete a signed authorization form with the office
of the registrar.
Library Privacy Policy
Librarians' professional ethics require that personally identifiable
information about library users be kept confidential. This
confidentiality applies to information sought or received; materials
consulted, borrowed or acquired; and borrower-registration information.
Confidential records shall not be made available to any agency of
state, federal or local government or any other person unless a court
order requiring disclosure has been entered by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
Public Relations
Berry College students are frequently featured in news releases,
photographs, audiotapes and videotapes that may be distributed to the
media or used in Berry publications, including Web sites. Students may
be photographed or videotaped on campus or at college-related functions.
The college has exclusive rights to these photographs/videotapes and
may use them to promote the institution. Accomplishments of students may
also be used to promote Berry College.