Residence hall exterior doors are locked around the clock. Residents have key or card access and visitors must be accompanied by residents to obtain access to the residence halls. Fines are levied for propping doors and for use of alarmed doors.
After hours building access is limited to one guest per resident, signed in and accompanied by the resident. Upper class halls allow in-room visitors during limited periods, and in-room visitors are permitted during hall-sponsored open houses.
While the College respects the personal privacy of students in their residence hall rooms, provisions are made for staff to enter rooms in the event of a clear and present danger and, under certain conditions, when a search for prohibited items has been authorized. Residence halls can be entered for routine maintenance or safety inspections.
Students enjoy dual citizenship in general society and in an academic community. Berea College makes no attempt to shield its students from consequences of their actions, thus status as a Berea student does not exempt anyone from local, state, or federal laws. In fact, being a member of an educational institution imposes an additional obligation to abide by all the rules of the institution. Laws and the College’s conduct rules operate independently, though Public Safety and law enforcement agencies work cooperatively. When a crime has been committed, the College is obligated to notify the proper authorities so they may discharge their duty under the law. In such a case, the law does not substitute for Berea College’s rules and the College may pursue its own procedures for adjudicating alleged violations of the College’s conduct rules independent of any legal proceedings. Public Safety reports to the appropriate department on violations of College policies and regulations.