General College Policies

On certain occasions, special assemblies may be called. All students are encouraged to attend. Examples of these special assemblies are Opening Convocation and Honors Night near the end of the academic year.

Berry College students are frequently featured in stories, news releases, photographs, audio clips and video clips that may be distributed to the media, used in Berry publications or published to digital channels including social media and websites. Students may be photographed or videoed on campus or at college-related functions. The college has exclusive rights to these photographs/videos and may use them to promote the institution. Accomplishments of students may also be used to promote Berry College.

Berry College has historically chosen to be alcohol-free and has since chosen to be a substance-free campus. We continually strive to be a college that teaches respect and care for each other as a core value of the campus community. We believe that a commitment to be free of alcohol, tobacco and the non-medical use of drugs provides an environment where students can thrive academically and socially. We also believe this policy promotes healthy living and relationships and reduces the individual and second-hand consequences of substance use and abuse.

Use of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaping devices, is not permitted anywhere, indoors or out, on Berry’s campus.

Possession or Use of Alcoholic Beverages

Any student on the campus who is in possession of or under the influence of alcohol will be charged with a violation of college policy and/or state law. The minimum legal drinking age in Georgia is 21 years old.

Possession, Sale and/or Use of Narcotics, Depressants, Stimulants, Hallucinogens or Solvents

The college does not permit the possession, sale and/or use, consumption, ingestion, injection or inhalation (without prescription or medical authorization) of substances that have the capacity to change a person’s mood, behavior or mind, or modify and relieve pain, such as, but not limited to, marijuana, opiates, amphetamines, barbiturates, hallucinogens, psychedelics or solvents. Any student or students found to be in conflict with the above will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs, where the process defined in the Berry College Code of Student Conduct will be followed. The sanction may result in suspension or expulsion from Berry and/or referral to the criminal process. Any student or students found to be in violation of local, state and federal narcotics laws will be subject to arrest and prosecution through the proper criminal process.

Parental Notification for Drug and Alcohol Violations

In accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, Berry College may notify a parent or legal guardian of a student under 21 years of age when the student has been found responsible through disciplinary channels of violating any Berry College rule regarding alcohol or illegal drugs. Notification decisions will be based on the severity of the incident and any prior incidents involving alcohol or drugs.

Berry College does not tolerate hazing in any form. The college’s position on hazing complies with all applicable state and federal laws on hazing activities. Berry College does not permit the hazing of a student as a requirement for membership, participation or obtaining a leadership position in any student organization, athletic team, LifeWorks position, club or group. All acts of hazing by any organization, member or alumnus are specifically forbidden.

Federal Law on Hazing – Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA)

The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) introduces definitions of hazing and student organizations, ensuring that higher education institutions report hazing incidents in their Clery Reports. In complying with SCHA, Berry is also required to comply with any state laws to the extent they do not conflict with, or counteract, the SCHA.

Definition of Hazing

SCHA defines hazing as “any intentional, knowing or reckless act committed by a person [whether individually or in concert with other persons] against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that [I] is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a student organization, [e.g., a club, student government, athletic team]; and [II] causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization [such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team], of physical or psychological injury, including (a) whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity; (b) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity; (c) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances; (d) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts; (e ) any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct; (f) any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and (g) any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.’’

“Student organization” is defined as “an organization at an institution of higher education [such as a club, society, association, varsity or junior varsity athletic team, club sports team, fraternity, sorority, band, or student government] in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.”

Hazing Prevention and Education

Berry College provides mandatory training for all students and employees.

Reporting Hazing

If you witness or experience hazing, report it immediately to ensure a safe and inclusive student environment. Call Campus Police (706.236.2622) or 911 if you or someone else is in danger.

Any Berry College employee who becomes aware of hazing activity or a suspected incident of hazing activity on- or off-campus is required to report to the Office of Student Affairs (706.236.2207) or complete the Campus Complaint Form.

All students who become aware of hazing activity or suspected hazing activity on- or off-campus should report to the Office of Student Affairs (706.236.2207) or complete the Campus Complaint Form.

Reports of hazing will be reviewed and followed by Berry College’s formal conduct process.

In compliance with the Georgia SB 85 “Max Gruver Act”, Berry College will publicly disclose administrative adjudication of hazing or hazing-related findings.

The Office of Belonging and Community Engagement partners with Student Affairs to review discrimination-related concerns. Some concerns may fall under community standards (Code of Conduct), while others may be addressed through a restorative process. While some behaviors may not violate community standards, these offices work with students to reflect on their actions and consider how to contribute to a good neighbor culture and be better members of the community, including repairing relationships when appropriate.

If you have experienced or witnessed a concern at Berry College, please use the Campus Complaint Form to submit a report.

Berry produces a college catalog every year that is available online at http://catalog.berry.edu. The student handbook, The Viking Code, is available for download at https://www.berry.edu/viking-code. These documents communicate important information for students. Students are responsible for reading and following them.

It is expected that shoes and clothes be worn in all campus buildings.

All students are required to have a Berry issued ID card. Campus Police, whose ID Card office is located at the Welcome Center, is responsible for making new and replacement cards. ID cards are used for identification, meal plan, discounts in the local community and access at residence halls. The ID card remains the property of Berry College and must be returned on request. Replacement ID cards cost $30. Students will produce their ID on request of any college official. Students are only permitted one active credential at a time.

Berry College is a residential college and students are expected to live on campus unless given permission to do otherwise.

Eligibility requirements

• Any person who has been admitted to the college and is enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student may enter into a housing contract with the college.
• Students who are 25 years or older, married or have already earned a degree are not required to reside in campus housing.
• Any resident wishing to remain in housing while not maintaining a full load (12 credit hours) of academic classes in the same term must notify the Office of Residence Life in advance and/or may be required to vacate the premises within 48-hours of notification.
• If a resident fails to enroll or to pay fees this results in a loss of status as an enrolled student, the resident agrees to vacate the premises within 48-hours of notification.

A resident may not sublet or rent a room or permit another person to share a room assignment. A resident may not use any facilities or areas of the residence halls, including the room assigned to the resident, for any commercial purpose or activity.

Off Campus Application

Berry College is a residential college, and undergraduate students are expected to live on campus unless given permission to do otherwise.

Students who meet any of the following criteria may request permission to live off-campus:

• Students 25 years of age or older
• Students who are married
• Residing with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) within a 40-mile drive of Berry College
• Students who are in their 5th year (or beyond)
• Part-time (less than 12 hours)

If you feel you meet one of these criteria, you must complete an Off-Campus Application to request permission and be granted permission to move off-campus. Permission must be granted before any lease arrangements are made. Students enrolled in classes and not approved to live off-campus will be assigned an on-campus space by the Office of Residence Life.

STUDENTS SHOULD RECEIVE WRITTEN APPROVAL FROM THE OFFICE OF RESIDENCE LIFE PRIOR TO SIGNING ANY OFF-CAMPUS RENTAL OR LEASE AGREEMENT.

For additional information, contact the Office of Residence Life, residencelife@berry.edu.

Married Student Housing

Berry College does not offer married student housing. It is assumed that once students marry, they will move off-campus with their spouse.

It is important to remain in good financial standing in regard to your tuition account. A student who is delinquent in payment of any financial obligation to Berry College may be removed from classes; may not be allowed to register at the college for another semester until such delinquency is satisfied; may not be issued grades, transcripts or a diploma; and may be subject to further action. In addition, in the event that an unpaid obligation is submitted to a collection agency or an attorney at law, all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney’s fees, will be paid by the student.

Payment due dates for the upcoming semester may be found at: https://www.berry.edu/admission/scholarships-and-aid/tuition-and-fees-breakdown

All students who withdraw during fall or spring semester will be charged tuition, and room and board if applicable, at the rate of 10 percent of the semester charge for each week of enrollment. If a recipient of financial aid withdraws and is scheduled to receive a refund, all or part of this refund will be used to reimburse the financial-aid programs from which the student received funds. All students who withdraw from a summer block on or before the add/drop day for the summer block will receive a full refund for their courses. All other fees are not refundable.

Students with Title IV Federal Financial Aid (Stafford, Plus, Pell Grant, SEOG, etc.) who withdraw during a semester will be subject to the refunding of all or a portion of their financial aid to the respective loan or grant, according to Federal Regulations. Students should consult with the Student Financial Services Office before they withdraw if they have questions about how their withdrawal may impact their account. Information on these withdrawal procedures and the Federal Regulations that apply are available in the Student Financial Services Office.

Example of Withdrawal Credit and Return of Federal Funds

A student withdraws during the eighth week of the semester and is eligible for a 20% withdrawal credit:
Total charges $25,925 x 20% = $5,185.00 credit

The student was enrolled for 59 days of the 110-day semester; a Federal Pell Grant of $2,865 and a Stafford Loan of $1,750 have been applied to the student’s account. Using the days enrolled, 59, and dividing by the total number of days in the semester, 110, the percentage rate of 54% was determined to arrive at the amount of Title IV Federal Funds the student earned for the semester ($2,865.00 + $ 1,750.00 = $ 4,615.00 x 54% = $2,492.10, the portion of the Title IV 22 Federal Funds the student would be allowed to retain). The total, $4,615.00, minus $2,492.10 (or $2,122.90) would be the amount of Title IV Federal Funds to be returned.

If the student’s tuition account had a zero balance at the time of withdrawal, the account would be:

Tuition Account Balance: $0.00
Withdrawal Credit: ($5,185.00)
Funds to be Returned: $2,122.90
Balance Due to Student: $(3,062.10)

First-year students living on campus in a traditional residence hall must purchase the Unlimited Plan. Second-year students living on campus in a traditional residence hall must purchase at least the Any 14 Plan. All other traditional residence hall occupants must purchase at least the Any 10 Plan. Students residing in the Oak Hill residences must purchase at least the Flex 50 Plan. All other suite residents and all full-time commuter students must purchase at least the Flex Bucks Plan. Meals not included in a plan may be purchased on a casual basis. In addition, a la carte service is available in the Viking Court dining area.

Meal plan charges cover only those meals and Flex Bucks that are made available within an academic semester. Unused meals and Flex Bucks do not carry over from semester to semester.

Meal plans cannot be shared. Meal plans can only be used by the student who owns the plan.

We provide a variety of foods to satisfy the needs of students with special diets. We can accommodate most special diets if recommended by the student’s physician. If, after receiving documentation and having conversations with the student’s physician, it is determined by our dietician, the Office of Accessibility Resources, and the Director of Dining Services that we are unable to meet the dietary need, the Office of Accessibility Resources can exempt an individual from the meal plan rules above. Once meal plans are set (approximately one week into a semester), no changes will be allowed.

Locations and hours of operation are found at  https://berry.mydininghub.com.

A student may deposit funds to his or her student bank account at the Cashier’s Window, located in the Krannert Center. This is not an interest-bearing account and is strictly a cash deposit/cash withdrawal account. The maximum withdrawal amount at one time is $300. Deposited funds become a part of the student’s official account and may be withdrawn whenever the Cashier’s Office is open.

The Cashier’s Office is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Any charges made to a student are deducted from this account. If there are no funds available in the account and a student is working on campus, those charges will be deducted from their earnings. Students are urged not to keep large sums of money on their person or in their rooms.