Governance at Bennington

"We believe that [Bennington College's] educational goals are best served by demanding of our students active participation in the planning of their programs, and in the regulation of their own lives on campus. Student freedom is not the absence of restraint, however, it is rather the fullest possible substitution of habits of self-restraint for restraint imposed by others."
—from the traditional Bennington College commencement statement, read at every graduation since 1936

Students participate actively in the creation and enforcement of structures that govern the College's nonacademic life. Through committee work and collaborative effort, they join with faculty members and administrators to create a culture informed by tolerance and respect for individual differences, self-discipline, and a commitment to the common good.

Several advisory organizations exist to allow student input on governance decisions: the Student Educational Policies Committee (academics), Student Council (nonacademic issues), the Campus Activities Board (recreation), the Judicial Committee (nonacademic disciplinary issues) and the Student Endowment for the Arts (funding for projects in the arts).

The existence of these structures embodies the College's belief that participating in their own governance requires more—not less—student responsibility and self-restraint.