Student Life

• Counseling and mental health programs
• Health Services/Wellness Promotion
• Intramural/Recreation Sports
• New student orientation
• Family programs
• Peer Education
• Student Involvement (clubs, organizations, and leadership programs)
• Student conduct programs and services
• Residence Life programs

Berry College strives to provide students with opportunities to participate in the internal affairs and governance of the college. Students are encouraged either individually or collectively to express their views on issues of institutional policy and other matters of general interest to the student body. Students are represented on most college committees and councils, and they serve as voting members. Students are directly represented in the governance of the campus by the Student Government Association. The Student Government Association is a group of elected students who serve as the voice of the students in making recommendations to various campus officials. The official policy-making authority of the college is a board of trustees and the duly appointed administrator, the president of the college.

The following provides insight into student life at Berry College and opportunities students have to influence institutional decision-making.

Berry College has longstanding policies and traditions regarding Student Life which define the College’s relationship with students. The College accepts responsibility for directing the academic, work opportunity and religious programs for its students. At the same time, students are adults and are expected to comply with the letter and spirit of Berry’s rules, regulations and directives from faculty and staff, and to demonstrate responsibility for themselves and to others.

Berry College, like most other colleges, does not act “in loco parentis” for students or in its administration of policies. However, the College strives to provide a supportive and sustaining environment for students and to provide the means to make them successful in their college experience and in life. The College pledges to provide this environment and maintain necessary and appropriate resources for assistance to students in academic, personal and spiritual areas, both formally and informally. This pledge includes the Board of Trustees, the President, and all faculty and staff. Berry College also strives to provide students with a caring, concerned community in an atmosphere of mutual respect, and in an environment where rights and responsibilities are handled by students with accountability and maturity.

Individual rights of every student, as well as faculty and staff, are to be mutually considered. These rights include reasonable exercise of freedom of individuality, freedom from indignity, and freedom from control by those except in proper authority. No faculty, staff member, or student, regardless of position or rank, shall violate these rights. Every effort shall be made to eliminate unjust customs and practices in conflict with these rights, and all students, faculty and staff pledge their cooperation towards this objective. The framework for these rights and this mutual respect is provided by the rules and regulations promulgated by proper authorities at Berry College, which shall be observed by all parties. Those persons in violation of these rules and regulations or of conduct contrary to the College’s policies shall be held personally responsible.

Berry College values student involvement on various councils and committees. Each year the president of Berry approves students, the majority recommended by the Student Government Association, to serve on various councils and committees of the college. Students serve on the:

• Academic Council
• Academic Transitions Advisory Committee
• Athletics Committee
• Budget Advisory Committee
• Council on Student Research
• Cultural Events Committee
• Educational Land Management Committee
• Endowed Lectureship Committee
• Enrollment & Marketing Advisory Board
• Graduate Council
• Honors Program Committee
• Information Technology Committee
• Interfaith Council
• International Experiences Committee
• Krannert Center Activities Board
• Libraries Committee
• Orientation Advisory Committee
• Student Conduct Appeal Panels
• Student Conduct Judicial Board
• Student Life Council
• Traffic Violations Appeal Panel
• Writing Across the Curriculum Committee

Following in the steps of the Parliament for the World’s Religions and Martha Berry’s vision for equal education for all, Berry College has created its own small organization for the support of different religions. Founded in the fall of 2003, the Interfaith Council is a group of faculty and students who work closely with the Chaplain’s Office to help foster a welcoming environment at Berry College for people of all faiths. It supports and promotes opportunities for people to learn about and participate in a variety of religious opportunities, both on campus and in the surrounding community. The Interfaith Council seeks to foster an appreciation of multi-faith awareness on Berry’s campus and throughout the Rome area.

The Interfaith Council events are mainly held at the Interfaith Center, which was created in 2003. Located in the East Mary lobby of the Ford Buildings at Berry College, the Center is open to any person or group who wishes to profess their faith. Open to all religions, the Center’s goal is to promote a greater understanding and tolerance for the beliefs and practices of others. A key is always available at the East Mary RA desk for students to use the room during the week. It can also be reserved for events through Campus Scheduling.

The Student Life Council advises with the Associate Dean of Students on matters coming within their area of responsibility. The council makes proposals about extra-curricular activities, works closely with the Student Government Association, and makes recommendations to the president about matters affecting student life. The Student Life Council is responsible to the President. Changes in policy proposed by the Student Life Council are subject to approval of the President or by the Board of Trustees if the policy concerns a jurisdictional area reserved by the board for its own action. Decisions of the Student Life Council may be appealed to the President, and at the President’s discretion, to the Board of Trustees.

The council consists of the Associate Dean of Students, who serves as Chair, the Provost, the Chaplain, the Director or Assistant Director of the Counseling Center, the Director of Student Involvement, Chief of Police, the Director of Athletics, the President of the Student Government Association, the two Vice Presidents of the Student Government Association, the Secretary of the Student Government Association, the Treasurer of the Student Government Association, one Head Resident, two students nominated by the Student Government Association executive committee and appointed by the president for two-year terms, the President of the Black Student Association, President of the Krannert Center Activities Board, Chair of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, two faculty members, the President (ex officio) and such other persons as may be appointed to the council by the President.

The Student Government Association has adopted the following mission statement:

We recognize our role in setting standards and goals for the Berry College community. We strive to provide services for the enhancement of this community and offer the means to solve any problems arising throughout the year.

Through effective leadership and representation, we commit ourselves to fulfilling these responsibilities with dedication and integrity for the purpose of creating a better college.

A copy of the SGA Constitution may be found on VikingWeb.

SGA meets every other Tuesday in the Krannert Center at 7 p.m.

The Berry College Blood Donor Program was started by Berry students in 1974 as part of the American Red Cross program. Four visits from the Red Cross and/or Blood Assurance provide over 450 units of blood per year and are sponsored by the Berry College Red Cross Club student organization.

Berry is one of the top institutions in Floyd County in the number of active blood donors each year. The Berry College Red Cross Club provides volunteer assistance to staff the blood drive visits.

Berry College is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and a founding member of the Southern Athletic Association (SAA). We offer a wide range of athletic opportunities for both men and women. Women’s sports include beach volleyball, cross country, basketball, equestrian, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swim, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swim, tennis, and track and field. Student-athletes must meet academic requirements to remain eligible for varsity practice and competition.

Viking athletics is highly competitive within the SAA, having secured 74 conference championships in just thirteen years. Several teams regularly compete at the NCAA regional level, while programs such as beach volleyball, cross country, equestrian, softball, track and field and volleyball have made multiple appearances beyond the first round and up to the final site of competition. Berry athletes have earned All-American honors for their achievements both academically and athletically.

The Intercollegiate Athletic Office is located in Suite #316 of the Cage Center. More information about Berry’s athletic programs is available at www.berryvikings.com.

Berry College was founded on a Good Neighbor Culture. Our Founder, Martha Berry, believed education must shape not only the head, but also the heart and hands. The Berry community continues to carry out the mission of Good Neighbor Culture. It continues to evolve our understanding of that legacy. We draw from our institutional values, virtues and other restorative practices to guide how we live, learn and lead together.

• Appreciates that sustainable impact in a community should be done in collaboration with, rather than unto the community.
• Values service and caring for the needs of others above self.
• Considers, includes, and empowers those in the margins.
• Believes that a rich variety of voices, ideas and experiences makes Berry a dynamic place to live and learn and prepares students for global contexts.
• Approaches and learns from conflicting perspectives by reaching out to our neighbors with patience, humility and generosity of spirit.
• Recognizes that relational restoration begins when the community admits its imperfections and problems.
• Understands that life is best lived in relationships and that we are stronger when we are an active part of our community.
• Leaves places better than we found them.

These pillars are not checklists—they are practices that shape a way of being. They call us to live with purpose and lead in ways that build community.

Our work centers around:

• Policy and Practice – Shaping institutional systems and decision-making through the lens of belonging and relational values
• Programming and Education – Creating spaces to grow in understanding, connection and shared responsibility
• Community Engagement – Strengthening partnerships, co-creating solutions and practicing mutuality in service beyond the campus

We envision a campus where all students, staff, and faculty feel reflected and respected—where voices are heard, identities are honored, and relationships are rooted in care and shared purpose. Belonging is not simply a feeling—it is a culture we create together.

• Good Neighbor Workshops – In collaboration with local and national partners, we offer interactive, reflective sessions to help students, faculty, staff and community practice what it means to be a good neighbor in real time.
• Community Programs – Through lectures, celebrations, civic dialogues and shared learning experiences, we deepen connections across perspectives and nurture a relational campus culture.
• Solidarity Week – A student-led series of programs that emphasize relationship-building, cultivate empathy and strengthen community through storytelling, celebration and education.
• Be Love Week – A weeklong campus-wide effort to practice service and community leadership, launched on MLK Day. Students, staff and faculty work alongside local partners to serve with humility and shared purpose.
• Berry Impact – Berry’s volunteer and service-learning initiative, designed to mobilize Good Neighbor Culture through intentional community engagement opportunities that connect students and the Berry community with meaningful service experiences.
• Year of Service (YOS) – Cottages are service-learning-focused living housing that connects students with ongoing service partnerships in the Rome community. These houses foster active citizenship, responsibility and shared investment in the well-being of others.
• Academic Community-Engagement Courses (ACE) – Community-focused courses connect classroom learning with real-world impact. Through partnerships with local organizations, students apply academic knowledge to community-identified needs—deepening understanding, building relationships and practicing leadership rooted in Berry’s Good Neighbor Culture. These courses emphasize reciprocity, reflection and responsible action.
• Community-Engaged Jobs and Internships – These experiences offer students the opportunity to earn while contributing to the common good. Whether through non-profit work, civic partnerships or social purpose roles, these positions are designed to foster professional growth, community impact and deeper alignment with Berry’s values of responsibility, collaboration and purposeful service.

The Krannert Center includes the Campus Information Desk, lounges, meeting rooms, the Gathering Space, The Shipyard apparel and gift shop, post office, dining room, Viking Court snack bar, ATM and the following student and administrative offices:

• Dean of Students
• Center for Personal and Professional Development
• LifeWorks Program
• Office of Belonging & Community Engagement
• Chaplain’s Office
• Hospitality and Event Services
• International Experiences
• Office of Student Involvement
• Student Government Association
• Berry Catering & Dining Services
• Krannert Center Activities Board

During the academic year, the Office of Student Involvement, located in Krannert 202, is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. The office may be open additional hours on the weekend based on events taking place in the building.

The Office of Student Involvement provides support or primary oversight for the Krannert Center Activities Board, Marthapalooza Committee, Student Leadership Programs, Student Organizations and Involvement, Campus Transportation, and campus-wide programming. Additional services provided by the Office of Student Involvement include:

• Publicity closet and lamination services for use by student organizations and other official student groups.
• Management of equipment and games for student events, including portable sound systems.
• Management of the Stall Wall Weekly and Krannert Wall Calendar.
• Management of the Berry Connect online engagement platform.

Reservations for Krannert spaces, which includes inside the facility, the lawn and Kilpatrick Commons, must be made through the campus online system EMS. Priority for use of Krannert Center shall be the Krannert Center Activities Board, recognized student organizations, Berry departments and offices, and alumni. Student organizations, Berry departments or other official groups may reserve available equipment for campus events through Berry Connect or by contacting the Office of Student Involvement directly.

All posters and notices that are to be displayed in Krannert should be dropped off at the Campus Information Desk and must be approved by the Office of Student Involvement. The staff in Student Involvement will be responsible for distributing the publicity in Krannert. No posters or notices will be permitted on walls, doors or other surfaces of the building except when approved by the Student Involvement Director. If a student organization or other official student group wants to reserve a lobby display case, lobby banner space or outdoor banner space, the group should contact the Office of Student Involvement to reserve a date and area.

The Krannert Center Activities Board, better known as KCAB, is comprised of a group of students who coordinate and implement a variety of social, cultural and recreational activities and programs which allow Berry students to interact and have fun. The board implements programs and activities that reflect the Berry culture, respect existing policy and encourage a sense of community among diverse people. KCAB’s goal is to support campus vibrancy and enhance the overall standard and quality of campus life.

Students interested in being a KCAB member must submit an application and interview with the Director of Student Involvement. Students can also assist KCAB members with events by serving on the volunteer “KCAB Krew” team. Copies of the KCAB constitution are available in the office. The Director of Student Involvement serves as the board’s primary advisor.

To find out the latest on upcoming events, stop by the KCAB Office, located on Krannert 1st floor across from the Gathering Space or check out KCAB on Berry Connect.

SOAR sessions are focused on helping students with their transition to life at Berry and families to their new life supporting a Berry Viking. Students will meet with an academic advisor to discuss courses offered in Fall. Students will learn about life in a Residential Community and the LifeWorks job assignment process. Students will have a chance to meet other members of the incoming class along with SOAR leaders who are Berry students, and they will share their experiences and answer questions about Berry College.

All incoming freshmen and transfers, including commuter students, are required to attend SOAR. The cost for SOAR and Viking Venture is $200, which will be posted to the student account.

There is a virtual SOAR offered to students and families after the in-person sessions in summer. Virtual SOAR is an abbreviated version of in-person sessions.

Prior to a student’s SOAR session, they will need to complete their online enrollment forms on MyBerry Portal under the “Admissions” tab. These include:

• Academic Advising Questionnaire
• Work Interest Form
• Health/Immunization forms
• Housing Application Form
• Medicat Patient Portal (Health Forms)
• Release of Information Form
• Emergency Contact & Missing Person Form

Viking Venture is a continuation of the orientation process and takes place the week prior to the beginning of fall semester. All new students participate in activities designed to welcome them to campus, assist them in the transition to Berry College, and help them connect with their new peers, faculty and staff. Many of the activities during Viking Venture occur within first-year seminar (BCC 100) classes, and are coordinated by the Office of the Academic Transitions, https://www.berry.edu/academics/first-year-experience/seminar.

All organizations, including their officers, events and programs, are expected to comply with Berry College policies as outlined in the Viking Code Student Handbook, Student Organization Handbook and their own constitutions. This includes adherence to rules governing programs, events, and services, as set forth by the Faculty/Staff Handbook and the Student Life Council. Failure to uphold these policies may result in disciplinary action, loss of recognition, and/or loss of funding. Hazing in any form is strictly prohibited. Additional details and policies can be found in the Student Organization Handbook, available through the Student Involvement Office and on Berry Connect.

Students desiring to form a new student group should first complete the Student Organization Interest Form, found on Berry Connect under Forms on the Student Involvement page. Once the application is reviewed, the Director and/or Assistant Director of Student Involvement will meet with the student to discuss the purpose of the group and to determine the appropriate recognition level and next steps for the organization.

Student groups are classified into one of four recognition levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4. Each level reflects a group’s organizational development, governance structure, demonstrated engagement and compliance with institutional requirements. Student groups may advance through the levels as they demonstrate sustained success and fulfill the requirements associated with each level. All recognized student groups must support the mission and values of Berry College and remain open to all students regardless of organizational purpose. Recognized groups are expected to maintain an active presence on Berry Connect, have a full-time faculty or staff advisor, maintain at least ten active student members, complete annual registration and transition requirements and comply with all Office of Student Involvement policies and procedures.

Level 1 Organizations

Level 1 organizations are recognized student groups operating under an approved Purpose Statement. These organizations focus on developing membership, establishing organizational stability, and demonstrating continued student interest. Level 1 organizations do not have access to Student Government Association funding.

Level 1 Privileges Include:

• Berry Connect account and organization page
• Ability to post meetings, documents, and track attendance
• Access to the Publicity Closet
• Participation in the Involvement Fair
• Limited EMS access for reserving campus space
• Inclusion on campus organization listings and calendars
• Access to Student Organization Canva resources

Level 2 Organizations

Level 2 organizations have an approved Purpose Statement reviewed through the Student Life Council process and may access limited funding opportunities. Purpose statements must also include information regarding the management of organizational funds.

Additional Level 2 Privileges Include:

• Student organization account with the College
• Eligibility to request up to $300 per year in SGA funding
• Authority to use the Berry College name in connection with organizational activities
• OSI social media promotion opportunities
• Continued access to all Level 1 benefits

Level 3 Organizations

Level 3 organizations maintain an approved constitution and demonstrate increased organizational engagement and campus involvement. These groups are eligible for expanded funding opportunities and enhanced event planning privileges.

Additional Level 3 Privileges Include:

• Eligibility to request Student Government Association funding in accordance with current funding policies.
• Expanded EMS reservation privileges
• Increased campus programming opportunities
• Continued access to all Level 1 and Level 2 benefits

Level 4 Organizations

Level 4 organizations represent the highest level of recognition and are expected to demonstrate sustained organizational excellence, leadership development, campus engagement, service and programming. These organizations maintain an approved constitution and fulfill the most comprehensive recognition requirements.

Additional Level 4 Privileges Include:

• Eligibility to request Student Government Association funding in accordance with current funding policies.
• Expanded event and space reservation privileges
• Full access to organizational resources and support services
• Continued access to all benefits available to Levels 1–3

To maintain recognition, student groups must remain in compliance with the requirements associated with their assigned level. Requirements may include attendance at President’s Meetings, participation in SGA meetings, completion of leadership, service or event credits, annual registration and transition requirements, maintenance of an active advisor and membership roster and completion of Student Organization training requirements.

Groups that fail to meet the requirements of their assigned level may be placed on probation, reassigned to a lower level or lose recognition. Organizations that lose recognition must complete the appropriate recognition process before being reinstated.

Organizations may remain at their current level or seek advancement to a higher level upon meeting the applicable criteria established by the Office of Student Involvement and the Student Life Council.

All recognized student groups must receive approval from the Office of Student Involvement for applicable campus-wide events, fundraisers, off-campus travel and other special activities in accordance with College policy.