A Community
Like No Other.
Life at BRAS extends far beyond the classroom. Our 320-acre campus is home to a vibrant, diverse community where students grow intellectually, socially, and personally through endless opportunities for engagement and discovery.
Where Learning Meets Living
The BRAS campus is designed to foster connection, creativity, and well-being. From the grand Hargrove Library at the heart of campus to the tree-lined Academic Quad, from cutting-edge research labs to cozy residence hall common rooms — every space is thoughtfully crafted to support the whole student experience.
Our residential model is central to the BRAS experience. First-year students live in one of eight residential colleges, each with its own traditions, dining hall, and faculty advisors. Upperclassmen choose from themed living-learning communities, apartment-style suites, and cooperative houses. Nearly 85% of students live on campus, creating a close-knit community that spans cultures, disciplines, and perspectives.
With 320 acres of campus, 60+ buildings, and easy access to the vibrant surrounding city, students enjoy the best of both worlds — a self-contained academic village and a dynamic urban environment.
Discover What Moves You
Student Organizations
With 350+ student organizations, there's truly something for everyone at BRAS. From the Model United Nations team (ranked #5 globally) and the award-winning BRAS Daily newspaper to robotics clubs, cultural associations, and community service groups — students lead, create, and innovate outside the classroom.
- Cultural Organizations: 45+ groups celebrating heritage from African, Asian, Latin American, European, Middle Eastern, and Indigenous communities
- Academic Clubs: Pre-law society, biomedical engineering club, debate team, philosophy circle, astronomy club, and more
- Service & Advocacy: Habitat for Humanity chapter, tutoring programs, environmental coalition, food bank volunteers
- Media & Arts: Student newspaper, radio station (WBRS 91.1 FM), literary magazine, film society, a cappella groups
- Entrepreneurship: BRAS Venture Alliance, hackathon organizers, social enterprise incubator
Athletics & Recreation
BRAS Academy competes in 24 varsity sports (12 men's, 12 women's) and has a proud tradition of athletic excellence. Our student-athletes have won 28 conference championships in the past decade and produced 15 Olympic participants.
- Varsity Sports: Basketball, soccer, tennis, swimming, track & field, volleyball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, rowing, fencing, and cross-country
- Club Sports: 32 club teams including rugby, cycling, sailing, martial arts, ultimate frisbee, and equestrian
- Intramural Leagues: Semester-long leagues in 15 sports open to all students, faculty, and staff
- Fitness Facilities: The Hargrove Athletic Center features an Olympic pool, 12 tennis courts, a 10,000 sq ft fitness center, indoor track, and climbing wall
- Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and ski trips organized by the BRAS Outdoor Program
Arts & Culture
BRAS has a vibrant arts scene that enriches campus life year-round. The annual "Lumina" arts festival draws 20,000+ attendees with 150+ events spanning music, theater, dance, visual arts, and literary readings.
- Performance Venues: The 1,200-seat Morrison Concert Hall, the 400-seat Black Box Theater, and the outdoor amphitheater
- BRAS Museum of Art: A teaching museum with 15,000+ works spanning ancient to contemporary, open free to the public
- Student Productions: 20+ theater productions, 8 dance concerts, and 50+ musical performances per year, all student-directed
- Visiting Artists: Annual residency program brings internationally renowned artists, writers, and musicians to campus
- Film Program: Weekly screenings, annual student film festival, and partnerships with independent studios
Health & Wellness
Student well-being is a priority at BRAS. Our comprehensive health and wellness ecosystem supports physical, mental, and emotional health for every member of our community.
- Health Center: Full-service medical clinic with physicians, nurses, and specialists available 7 days a week. Pharmacy on-site.
- Counseling Services: Free and confidential counseling with licensed psychologists and social workers. Same-day crisis appointments available.
- Peer Support: Trained student wellness ambassadors in every residential college providing informal support and resources
- Mindfulness & Meditation: Dedicated meditation spaces, weekly yoga classes, and mindfulness workshops
- Accessibility Services: Comprehensive accommodations for students with disabilities, including assistive technology and academic support
Home Away From Home
BRAS's residential system is the heart of student life. Our eight residential colleges each house 200-300 first-year students, creating small, supportive communities within the larger university. Each college has its own dining hall, common rooms, study spaces, faculty fellows, and traditions.
Residential Colleges
Dining
BRAS operates 12 dining venues across campus, from the flagship Commons dining hall (seating 800) to cafés, food trucks, and a student-run organic garden restaurant. Menus feature locally sourced ingredients, globally inspired cuisines, and comprehensive options for dietary restrictions including halal, kosher, vegan, and allergen-free meals. The campus produces 30% of its vegetables on-site at the BRAS Farm.
World-Class Spaces for Learning & Living
Hargrove Library
4.2 million volumes, 60,000+ e-journals, 42 study rooms, open 24/7 during term. Features rare book vault, digital media lab, and rooftop reading garden.
Innovation Pavilion
50,000 sq ft maker space with 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, woodshop, metal shop, and electronics lab. Open to all students regardless of major.
BRAS Medical Center
500-bed teaching hospital with Level I trauma center, cancer center, and children's hospital. Serves 200,000+ patients annually and trains 400+ medical residents.
Sustainability Sciences Complex
LEED Platinum building housing climate, energy, and environmental research. Features living walls, solar array, and real-time energy dashboard visible to visitors.
Morrison Concert Hall
1,200-seat acoustically optimized performance venue hosting 100+ concerts, recitals, and lectures annually. Home to the BRAS Symphony Orchestra.
Student Union
Central hub of campus life with food court, bookstore, game room, event ballroom, student government offices, and organization meeting spaces.