A Residential College
Berea College values the curricular and co-curricular learning fostered within a residential living community. To benefit fully from Berea’s curricular and co-curricular programs, students are expected to live in College residence halls, share space with roommates, and eat in the College’s dining facilities. In the residence halls, students learn to live with others from a spectrum of the world’s cultures. Because Berea values the learning that comes from daily living with those different from oneself, initial room assignments may be changed only with special approval. Each year, continuing students make their own choices of rooms and roommates through the annual room selection process.
Berea students are offered a variety living styles and spaces within the College’s residence halls, many of which have undergone renovation through an ambitious program to modernize campus facilities while retaining their distinctive character. Residential spaces vary in architecture, size, room arrangement, atmosphere, and tradition. Some residences feature suites with common living room-like spaces, while others offer traditional single- or double-occupancy rooms with shared kitchen and lounge facilities. Some halls are reserved for first-year students while others house upper-classification students. Family-housing and Ecovillage apartments are also available for qualifying student families who apply.
The Campus Life Team is a team of student life professionals, some of whom live in the residence halls and oversee day-to-day life and hall-wide activities. Many upper-classification student leaders serve as Hall Coordinators and Residence Assistants through the Labor Program. Each residence hall elects House Council Representatives, who seek to provide service opportunities, promote physical improvements, and contribute to campus change. A Hall Council member from each residential community promotes shared governance through participation in the Board of Residence.
A College-operated shuttle van runs on a regular schedule to local shopping areas and to nearby cities on weekends. In keeping with the College’s commitment to sustainable-living practices, and in recognition of the benefits of a residential education, some students are not permitted to have cars on campus or in the Berea community. First-year students are not permitted to have vehicles. Parking spaces are limited, so seniors are permitted to have vehicles if the students are in good standing with the College. Juniors and sophomores in good standing may apply for parking permits on a first-come, first-served basis. Some special exceptions are made only for the following circumstances: student’s home residence is an eight-hour or longer drive from campus, “independent” student status (based on FAFSA definition), or in certain situations where personal medical appointments are required outside of the area. The Office of Public Safety monitors and administers the Motor Vehicle Policy and enforces parking restrictions.