What is the Cultural Events Program?
The Cultural Events Program exists to support the college’s Cultural Events Requirement, which is a part of all undergraduate degree programs offered at Berry. The term “Cultural Event” refers to events (such as concerts, lectures, panel discussions, etc.) that have been approved by the Cultural Events Committee, which is comprised of faculty, staff and students. Students must attend an average of three Cultural Events for each semester that they are enrolled full time and in residence at Berry (i.e. a total of twenty-four Cultural Events for eight semesters of full time enrollment).
What's the purpose of the Cultural Events Requirement? Why aren’t Berry’s graduation requirements limited to coursework?
Berry College ascribes to the values of liberal arts education in the broadest sense, asserting that liberal learning should be a process of continuous exploration of ideas and cultural meaning that continues outside the classroom. The Cultural Events Requirement supports this exploration by requiring Berry students to attend a number of on-campus lectures, discussions, and performances. Berry College typically sponsors upwards of 200 Cultural Events each academic year, so a typical Berry student’s twenty-four required Cultural Events represent only about 1.2% of the college’s cultural offerings over a four year period.
Who sponsors Cultural Events?
Cultural Events are sponsored by Berry faculty, staff, and administrators. Students and student organizations can apply for CE credit for their events if the events meet Event Guidelines and are sponsored and applied for by a Berry faculty member, staff member, or administrator.
How can I find out when and where Cultural Events are offered?
The Berry College Calendar of Events contains the only official listing of approved Cultural Events. Other unofficial sources for information on upcoming Cultural Events are the “Campus Carrier,” KCAB, the “Stall Wall Weekly,” the "Berry Events" app., and broadcast emails and flyers distributed by the event sponsors. Please note that a few Berry sponsored Cultural Events take place at off-campus venues each year, and that all Cultural Events listed in the calendar are admission-free unless otherwise noted.
Life is hectic! How can I be sure I make it to at least six Cultural Events per year?
Check the Berry College Calendar of Events for those events that are of genuine interest to you. By the time you graduate you will need to attend three Cultural Events for every semester of full time attendance. Do not wait until the last weeks of term you intend to graduate to attend all the necessary events. Graduating seniors need to complete all cultural events by the date identified in Berry’s official academic calendar as the “Last day to withdraw with W or WF full term and 2nd 7 week classes; Deadline for Cultural Events. www.berry.edu/academics/calendar
How about cultural experiences I’ve had on my own? Can I receive Cultural Events credit for personal travel or attendance at non-Berry cultural events?
No. Berry College does not grant Cultural Events credit for non-Berry experiences and events. Although we hope you will have many cultural experiences on your own away from Berry, the intent of the Cultural Events Program is to involve Berry students in the rich and varied cultural life of the college.
How and where is attendance at Cultural Events documented? How do I keep track of my Cultural Events credits?
Students arriving at a Cultural Event will be greeted by a Cultural Events usher, who will use a card reader to scan your student ID. After each event, attendance records are sent to the staff member who coordinates the CE ushers for verification, and then forwarded to the Registrar’s Office to be officially recorded. Your personal Cultural Events records are available to you on your Viking Web account.
Why isn't the Cultural Event information on my Viking Web account always current?
It normally takes about 3 to 5 business days to process and record Cultural Events credits on your Viking Web account. If you believe that there is an error in your Cultural Events record, please contact the Registrar’s Office.
What will happen if I don't complete six Cultural Events per year? Are there consequences?
Berry students are given the latitude to plan ahead and make sure that they have attended the required number of Cultural Events by graduation. This means that you are free to attend more or fewer events in any given year as long as the required total is achieved by the deadline in the semester you graduate. Students are advised to complete as many CE’s as they can in advance of semesters where they may be student teaching, in an internship, moving off-campus or involved in other activities that might interfere with completing the Cultural Events requirement.
What if I'm just a few Cultural Events short at the end of my senior year? Won't an exception be made for me so that I can graduate on time?
No.
What if I graduate early? Am I still required to attend 24 Cultural Events?
No. You are required to attend three Cultural Events for each semester that you are a full-time student in residence at Berry. If for example, a student transferred in as a Sophomore and graduated in six semesters, he or she would be required to complete eighteen Cultural Events. Conversely, students whose residency at Berry extends past eight semesters are still only required to accumulate twenty-four CE credits.
I have some great ideas about improving the Cultural Events Program. Who can I talk to?
Please feel free to contact the CE Committee Chair or any committee member (see Cultural Events Committee Members). Our goal is to make the CE Program as enriching as possible, and we welcome your suggestions