Pursuing Educational Excellence
(Goal One, Objectives A and C)
Each academic department at Berry reported on ways it supports the mission of educating the head, heart and hands of students during spring 2002. This year, each department is conducting a thorough study of the majors and minors offered at Berry and preparing a report that will document how students are served through the curriculum and learning opportunities offered through the program. The departments will also report on how their programs are addressing the college’s strategic objectives of diversifying and internationalizing the curriculum and how they are developing the communicating and critical-thinking skills of students. The departments are also reviewing and revising, as appropriate, the learning outcomes and assessments used for ongoing improvement of the educational experiences.
A Task Force on General Education, formed in fall 2001, continues to focus on ways to strengthen general education at Berry. This fall, changes in the goals for the program were modified with the support of the Faculty Assembly and Academic Council.
Interfaith Council Constituted
(Goal Seven, Objective C)
The creation of an Interfaith Council has been approved by the Faculty Assembly and Student Government Association and endorsed by President Colley. It will begin its work in spring 2003. The Council is composed of six faculty members, six students, two staff members and six ex officio members. It will work with the chaplain’s office, the religion and philosophy department, the provost and the vice president for student affairs to help foster a welcoming environment at Berry by supporting and promoting opportunities for people to learn about and to participate in a variety of religious opportunities on campus and in the surrounding community.
Increasing International Experiences for Berry Students
(Goal 9, Objective C)
This spring term more than 50 Berry students are expected to be formally enrolled in study-abroad programs around the globe. For the first time, a Berry student will be in enrolled at the Macquarie University in Australia, another at the Universidad Veritas in Costa Rica, and two Berry students will attend The American University in Egypt. Other students will be attending universities in Italy, France, Britain, Ireland, Germany, France and Spain where Berry has long-established programs. During the summer, some 80-100 students will complete courses taught by Berry faculty members at international sites in Costa Rica, Italy, Jamaica and Mexico, and others will be enrolled in universities in Europe.
Conducting Successful Fund-Raising Campaigns
(Goal Eleven, Objectives A, B and F)
Participation by Berry faculty and staff members in the college's Annual Fund has already hit a record-breaking total of 73.8 percent for the 2002-2003 year. This level of support, which includes 75 percent of all faculty members and 73 percent of all staff members, compares very favorably to the overall 66.5 percent participation recorded in 2001-2002 and 46.8 percent achieved in 2000-2001. The Annual Fund is one component of Berry's $100 million Century Campaign.