History | Security | Residence Life | Dining | Activities | Athletics | Calendar | Orientation
A 140-year History
Founded as a private institution for the education of women, Brenau began life in 1878 as the Georgia Baptist Female Seminary, although it's never had any religious affiliation. Today, Brenau enrolls approximately 4,000 men and women in graduate and undergraduate studies on multiple campuses and online. The university, based in Gainesville, Georgia, in the southeastern United States, includes the Women’s College, which provides a full slate of academic and extracurricular experiences. These activities include 15 nationally competitive sports, national sororities and honor societies, and outlets for artistic expression and community service. Ours is a uniquely relevant and inspiring education, one that will prepare you for a successful, 21st-century career, but also a life of deeper purpose and meaning.
The Best of Both Worlds
Gainesville is a small city of approximately 35,500 people. It is about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Atlanta. It's near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the shores of Lake Lanier. Brenau offers the best of city living and outdoor fun.
Safety and Security
Campus security officers are on duty 24-hours a day. They are always available to assist students. Students who are concerned may call the Security Office at +1.770.534.6202 and an officer will provide them with a vehicle or walking escort anywhere on campus.
In order to keep students informed of safety and emergency matters, Brenau University uses the e2Campus system. This self-registering system is designed to send campus-wide notifications in the event of an emergency or safety related issue such as inclement weather. Students are required enter their contact information into the system in order to receive these communications. e2Campus is used by all faculty, staff and students of the university. The service is available at no charge.
Residence Life
Brenau offers a variety of campus living options, from traditional residence halls to sorority houses to on-campus apartments. All residence hall rooms are suite-style, where two students share one room together with a bathroom adjoining the two students in the next room. Students involved in Greek Life also have the option to live in their sorority house after their freshman year, and upperclassmen students have first dibs on the apartment-style housing that is available.
A panoramic view of a room inside on of our residence hall.
Dining Hall and Tea Room
Hopkins Dining Hall is centrally-located on campus for easy access. Residential students’ meal plans are included in their room & board fees, and commuter students have plenty of meal plan options available to them. Every student has Flex Bucks options on their student ID card, which can be used in the Tea Room – a coffee-shop and grill on the Gainesville historic campus – and the Brenau East Bistro at East Campus.
Activities
There is always something to do for every student at Brenau. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the clubs and organizations at Brenau University. There are many clubs related to student interests and courses of study. There are also dance clubs and choirs for students to join. Students may take courses in dance and music as their schedules allow.
"Dancing in the Arctic" performance rehearsal.
Intercollegiate Athletics
Brenau University offers several intercollegiate student athletic teams. Students may attend sporting events free of charge. Brenau competes in:
- Basketball
- Competitive & Spirit Cheerleading
- Competitive Dance
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Swimming & Diving
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
Calendar
August 17: Anhui student arrival
August 18: Anhui student orientation
August 23-27: New student orientation
August 28: Classes begin
August 31: Fall Convocation
September 4: Labor Day Holiday (no classes)
October 19 - 20: Fall Break (no classes)
November 22 - 24: Thanksgiving Holiday (no classes)
December 4 - 8: Final exams. Specific schedule can be found at https://www.brenau.edu/academics/registrar/regsched/fall-day-class-exam-schedule/
December 19 - January 1: Winter Break (campus closed, though some students may stay on campus)
Pre-Orientation & Orientation
Friday Aug 19
- 8 a.m. Group 1 will be met at the airport by the Dean of College of Education
- 9 a.m. Tour of Atlanta
- 11:30 a.m. Varsity for lunch
- 2 p.m. Return to campus
- 5 p.m. Baseball game at Gwinett Braves
Saturday, Aug. 20 - Group 1
- 8:30 a.m. Group 1 resting.
- 11 a.m. Brunch in dining hall.
- 1 p.m. International Mentors give walking tour of campus and downtown.
- 5:30 p.m. Group 1 & Group 2 Dinner with Jordan Anderson and International Mentors
Saturday, Aug. 20 - Group 2
- 8 a.m. Group 2 will be met at the airport by their advisor, Professor Bryan Sorohan.
- 9 a.m. Tour Atlanta.
- 10:30 a.m. Tour the Atlanta High Museum.
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch at The Varsity in Atlanta.
- 2 p.m. Return to Gainesville historic campus.
- 5:30 p.m. Group 1 & Group 2 Dinner with Jordan Anderson and International Mentors
Sunday, Aug. 21
- 8 a.m. Rest in Room.
- 11 a.m. Brunch with international mentors.
- 1:30 p.m. Shopping at Walmart.
- 3:30 p.m. Setting up cell phones.
- 5 p.m. Dinner with student leaders.
Monday, Aug. 22
- 8 a.m. Breakfast in dining hall.
- 9:30 a.m. Meet with the Business Office.
- 11 a.m. Lunch with Student Services staff.
- 12:30 p.m. Meet with Learning Center staff.
- 1:30 p.m. Meet with Dr. Rudi Kiefer in Math SPA.
- 2:30 p.m. Meet with Security and Facilities.
- 3:30 p.m. Setup bank accounts with BB&T.
- 5:30 p.m. Dinner with International Mentors.
Tuesday, Aug. 23
- 8 a.m. Breakfast with Health Services staff.
- 12 p.m. Lunch with Dining Services.
- 1 p.m. Meet with Writing Center Staff.
- 3:30 p.m. Meet with advisor, Dr. Bryan Sorohan.
- 5:30 p.m. Dinner.
Wednesday, Aug. 24
- 8 a.m. Breakfast in dining hall.
- 9:30 a.m. Residential student check in.
- 12 p.m. Lunch.
- 1 p.m. Orientation starts.
Thursday, Aug. 25
- 1 p.m. Meet and Greet with College of Education.