Berea is emphasizing student-centered work underway on campus, labeling the initiative
“Students First.” Faculty, staff and administration want to ensure students see their ideas
as central to the strategic-planning efforts underway. As campus plans new projects and
improvements, it is circulating these updates in a “quick list” format, similar to below.
Counseling Services:
- Provide immediate appointments, eliminating wait times.
- Launch new tele-health counseling services.
- Hired a case manager in Counseling Services to promote holistic student wellness
programs.
Healthcare Access and Insurance:
- Provide expanded access to White House Clinic primary care by allowing unlimited visits
and extending weekday and weekend hours. - Provide free unlimited dental care visits, with special thanks to the Linda Graham Fund.
- Improve health care plan by working with current provider to expand health insurance to
cover more healthcare costs. Provide new educational workshops for students to have a
better understanding of options available for healthcare.
Housing:
- Increase access to Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH) to further develop a residential climate
that is positive, respectful and inclusive for all residents. Currently 17 percent of students live in GIH.
Student Engagement:
- Expand on-campus student engagement activities for students.
- Hired new assistant director of specialized services to provide oversight of the Black Male Leadership Initiative.
Student Spaces:
- Create a Student Center on campus. Comprehensive student surveys were conducted along with input sessions (over 850 students have provided input) to gather feedback on Student Center design.
- Installed solar Umbrella Charging Table that allows students to charge devices outdoors,
using solar panels embedded in its umbrella. - Provided new outdoor furniture and hammocks.
- Open a student-designed patio outside the library in the fall.
Transportation:
- Assess and expand campus shuttles (expanded airport Shuttle for Winter Break).
- Implement new Car Policy, with expanded parking and allows first-year students to have
cars on campus. - Plan purchase of a van with lift chair for accessibility.