Cultural Event Criteria

Events should be accessible to the entire student body.  All events should be sponsored by a faculty, staff, or student organization.  Any changes to the event or speaker/performer must be resubmitted to the CE committee for approval.

The committee will not consider the following proposals for CE credit:

• Presentations of student research or student performances. Collaborative projects in which one of the collaborators is an expert/scholar in the area will be considered if the expert’s involvement amounts to 50% or more (e.g., presentations by named student scholars, faculty-directed student ensemble performances).
• Student presentations of coursework, study abroad, mission trips, or student organization work.
• Attendance at a religious service or an athletic event.
• Events aimed at vocational preparation or training workshops.
• Events aimed at personal health and safety.

Lecture and panel presentations may span one or more disciplines (humanities, math and natural sciences, business, education, nursing, social and behavioral sciences), and consist of at least one invited speaker or Berry faculty/staff member who is considered a credentialed expert on the topic.  Lecture and panel presentations should be designed for a general audience. 

Applicants must:

• Summarize the nature of the lecture or panel presentation and its appeal to a general audience.
• Describe the way(s) audience members will participate in the event (e.g. through a question/answer period).

• Clearly articulate how the lecture or panel topic addresses the stated purpose of the CE program.
• Identify and provide information on credentials of the invited speaker(s) or panelist(s). 

See an approved lecture example here

Applicants must:

• Summarize the nature of the film or documentary showing in layperson’s terms.
• Describe the way(s) audience members will participate in the event (e.g. through a question/answer period).
• Clearly articulate how the film or documentary addresses stated purpose of the CE program.
• Identify and provide information on credentials of the invited speaker(s) or panelist(s). The applicant must agree that the qualified presenter will speak on the topic for at least 10 minutes prior to or following the showing of the film/documentary and then allow for a brief question and answer period. 
• Describe how the film meets the requirements of U.S. copyright law. In all cases films must be lawfully obtained. Use of films not in the public domain must either meet the requirements for performance or display of works in the course of face-to-face teaching activities, or performance rights must be obtained. More about non-classroom educational use of films

See an approved film example here 

Applicants must:

• Inform the Committee of the significance of the performance or demonstration, and how its importance will be conveyed to attendees (e.g., through introductory statements, concluding remarks, program notes, oral or written annotations, etc.).
• Clearly articulate how the show or performance addresses the stated purpose of the CE program.
• Describe the qualifications of the artist(s) or event participants. This should include their credentials, and might also include previous performance venues, years performing and critical reviews.
• Agree that the qualified presenter will speak on the topic for at least 10 minutes prior to, during, or following their show/performance and allow for a brief question and answer period with the audience or the program will include program notes, dramaturgy notes, director’s notes or written annotations.

See an approved fine arts example here