THE VIKING CODE Student Handbook 2020-2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2020-2021 ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2020-2021 5 ADMINISTRATION 7 TRADITIONS & MOUNTAIN DAY 8 COVID19 POLICIES 9 GENERAL COLLEGE POLICIES 11 Berry’s Refund Policy 12 Marketing & Communication 13 Substance Free Policy 13 ACADEMIC POLICIES 15 Academic Integrity 16 Grievance Policy 17 Student Complaint Policy 18 Intellectual Property Policy 19 Information Technology Resources and Data 20 Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) 24 Missing Student Policy 25 Sexual Misconduct Policy 27 ACADEMICS 40 Academic Policies & Requirements 42 Class Attendance Policies 42 Study Abroad 47 Cultural Events Requirement Statement of Purpose 47 Hunting, Fishing and Camping 49 ID Card 49 Meal Plan Policies 49 Residency Requirements 51 Student with Disabilities 52 CAMPUS POLICE 55 Emergency Numbers/Contact Information 57 Parking 61 Severe Weather 63 BERRY COLLEGE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT 66 SERVICES FOR STUDENTS 78 Academic Success Center 79 Athletics 80 Berry Emergency Relief Fund 80 Campus Recreation 80 Center for Personal & Professional Development 81 LifeWorks 81 Chaplain’s Office and Religious Life 82 Counseling Center 83 Peer Education Program 83 Financial Aid 84 Health Center 85 2 Insurance 88 Krannert Center & Student Activities Office 88 Krannert Center Activities Board 89 Leadership Development Programs 89 Campus Information Desk 90 Lost and Found 90 Mail Services 91 On-Campus Transportation 91 The Shipyard 92 Student Diversity Initiatives 92 Notary Publics 93 Orientation at Berry 93 STUDENT LIFE 95 Student Government Association 99 Student Organizations 100 RESIDENCE LIFE 103 Residence Life General Information 104 Procedures and Practices 106 Residence Life Policies 111 CAMPUS RESOURCE GUIDE 117 QUICK REFERENCE PHONE NUMBERS 118 3 Dear students: Welcome to the 2020-21 academic year! We look forward to your active participation in the life of the campus. A hallmark of a Berry education is a well-rounded experience. There are innumerable opportunities for involvement through colloquia, speakers, organization activities, sports, service, and college-wide events. We encourage you to make the most of your time at Berry by taking full advantage of these programs and events. We are glad you are here and we look forward to working with you to make 2020-21 a great year. Sincerely, Lindsey Taylor Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students 4 5 SCHOOL PSALM (Psalm 121) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. ALMA MATER Far up in the hills of Georgia stands Old Berry tried and true, The Shrine of many a memory of The Silver and the Blue. Our loyalty and love we pledge, God keep thee without fail, Be thou the light that shines for right, Alma Mater, Hail, All Hail! SCHOOL HYMN O God our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come; Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home! Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame, From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same. O God our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come; Be Thou our guard while life shall last, And our eternal home! School Colors – Silver and Blue Mascot- Viking 6 CABINET Stephen Briggs, President Mary Boyd, Provost Andy Bressette, Vice President for Enrollment Management Cynthia Court, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Brian Erb, Vice President for Finance Debbie Heida, Chief of Staff Nancy Rewis, Vice President for Marketing & Communications Lindsey Taylor, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students 7 TRADITIONS What was it about Berry that caught the interest of Andrew Carnegie, captured the enthusiasm of Theodore Roosevelt, appealed to the practical mind of Henry Ford and earned his generous support? What is it about Berry today that commands an equal measure of enthusiasm among leading Americans and thousands of loyal friends? The answers to these questions are found in the fascinating story of founder Martha Berry, her successors, and the remarkable institution they have built from a cabin to a college. Berry is a college rich in heritage. Many campus customs are deeply rooted. The universal custom is that much of the beauty of Berry is in the spirit of friendship which one meets everywhere. Students celebrate the end of the academic year with an annual event called Finals Fest, which is a “spring fling” type event that includes a concert, inflatables, novelties and food. Honors Night is held during the spring semester. Awards and scholarships are given to students who have excelled academically, provided leadership, or contributed to the Berry community. A Leadership & Service Awards program and the Rollins Work Awards program are also annual spring recognition events. MOUNTAIN DAY Each year on the first weekend of October, Martha Berry is remembered in a traditional celebration, which is called Mountain Day. This year Mountain Day Weekend will be October 9-11 (events pending for Fall 2020 based on campus guidelines for Covid-19 response). The holiday, which celebrates Miss Berry’s birthday, includes several Berry traditions. The Mountain Day Olympics will be on Friday afternoon on the Evans Hall South Lawn. KCAB’s Mountain Day Talent Show will be Friday night highlighting student talent. A picnic lunch will be held on Saturday at the foot of Lavendar Mountain (WinShape Campus). The lunch is followed by the main event of the day, the Grand March. The music for the Grand March is provided by the college wind ensemble. Students, led by the seniors, join hands, separate, and unite in ever widening lines as they weave a march pattern on the gentle slope at the foot of Lavendar Mountain. During the march, students drop donations into the birthday basket, traditionally the number of cents equal to the student’s age. These donations become a part of the Martha Berry Memorial Endowment Fund, established by Miss Berry with gifts made to her to aid The Berry Schools. Traditionally, female students dress in a pastel pink (blue, if senior) dress or skirt and blouse; the male students wear a light blue shirt (white, if senior) and dark trousers. These colors represent the uniforms worn by past Berry students. On the Saturday night of Mountain Day Weekend, students come together in the Clara Bowl to participate in Marthapalooza, an all-night carnival with rides, food, booths and games, music, bonfire, and the opportunity to camp on campus with friends. 8 COVID-19 POLICIES 9 COVID-19 Information and Expectations Coronavirus spreads primarily through sustained direct contact, defined as: more than 15 minutes, at a distance of less than 6 feet, without appropriate face covering. Our approach to managing the risk of sustained, direct contact involves three components: 1. Minimizing spread by way of: face coverings, outdoor activities, social distancing, personal hygiene, building hygiene, limited events and gatherings, and campus and personal boundaries 2. Monitoring spread by way of: entrance screening and on-campus screening, and continued testing 3. Containing spread by way of: isolation, contact tracing and quarantine procedures All students are expected to adhere to all policies and practices related to the coronavirus that are adopted and amended over time as the college responds proactively to different levels and avenues of risk. Our understanding of how best to manage risks associated with coronavirus continues to change on a frequent basis. The college will continue to update these expectations, even as it continues to implement measures across campus and work with health and medical partners to provide a safe residential community. Policies within the Viking Code of Conduct may be temporarily adjusted or suspended to ensure the safety of residents in the case of public health concern(s). All information specific to COVID-19 can be found on the Coronavirus Updates website. 10 GENERAL COLLEGE POLICIES 11 Assemblies 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. Attire It is expected that shoes and clothes be worn in all campus buildings. Catalog and Student Handbook Berry produces a college catalog every year that is available online at http://catalog.berry.edu. The student handbook, The Viking Code, is available online at https://www.berry.edu/student- life/_assets/Student-Handbook.pdf. These documents communicate important information for students. Students are responsible for reading and following. Financial Obligation to the College It is important to remain in good financial standing in regards 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 Berry’s Refund Policy 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 or fraction thereof of enrollment.