Connect For…

Students, as we build our “One Blood” campus community together, let’s create new ways to spread joy! Let’s provide new forms of care and support, and invent new opportunities to engage and interact.  Let’s experiment with new ways for me to connect with you.

What do you want to connect for? You will provide answers to that question! Our new Connect For…  approach will encourage you to complete that phrase, and we will then put those ideas into action. 

Connect For…will start off with the ideas listed below. These programs are some of the first results of our “Affirming the Heart of Berea: Listening, Learning, and Building Community” tour. Note that we will enact ideas that foster creativity, curiosity, relaxation (you name it!)—all while aiming to improve our mental health and physical health.

Sunday Suppers

Come together to cook Sunday Suppers in the President’s Home! We will gather together approximately twice a month to cook, eat, and enjoy a meal together. Sunday Suppers will be posted for sign-up via Berea Engage—our first Sunday Suppers include:

• Sunday, November 12, 4-6 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 5, 5-6 p.m.: Gingerbread House Decorating 
• Wednesday, December 6, 5-6 p.m.:  Gingerbread House Decorating
• Thursday, December 7, 5-6 p.m.: Gingerbread House Decorating

Student Club Share-Outs

Student Clubs and Organizations have great ideas and events underway—so let’s share them out! Once or twice a month, clubs will provide a fun small-group activity that I help to host. These activities will typically take place on Tuesdays, after Labor meetings, and we will join for a take-out dinner at the President’s Home, followed by the activity. Student Club Share-Outs will be posted for sign-up via Berea Engage.

Run/Walk Club

We will continue the tradition of the Run/Walk Club! Let’s enjoy being outside, exercising together. The group will include walkers and runners, so everyone can find the right pace. We held a Run/Walk Club organizational meeting in early October, and have decided to re-launch the Club in the spring semester, when nice weather returns.  Look for announcements in the spring.

Plus, the Berea Student Circle (to implement key campus ideas you want!)

We will build on the idea of a “Berea Circle” that I introduced at our Opening Convocation. What are your ideas for improving our campus community—the circle that we are part of?  Each year, we will try to implement key projects designed by you. For example, I will be organizing input sessions on a topic you have raised at feedback sessions: creating outdoor gathering spaces that will encourage conversation, relaxation, and enjoyment of our beautiful campus. How can we create more gathering spaces on campus, using design elements like outdoor furniture, sunshades, and hammocks?

More to come as we get this idea underway…sessions will be posted here and on Berea Engage.