This weekend many of our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AA&PI) families and communities, like their peers across the world, welcomed Lunar New Year. In nearby Monterey Park, these celebrations were interrupted by unimaginable violence and grief when a mass shooting occurred at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, killing 11 people and traumatizing countless more. We also recognize that earlier today, two shootings in Half Moon Bay killed several farmworkers. We stand in...
Last Tuesday, our campus participated in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving that was launched to help support those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We write today to offer an update on the success of that drive, to share other campus efforts to support vulnerable members of our community, and to encourage students in need to apply for aid if you have not already done so. Please visit the COVID-19 emergency relief fund...
For Americans horrified by the fatal fire in Oakland, many did the only thing they could: open their wallets.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars have poured into two principal fund-raising campaigns since the warehouse fire in the city's Fruitvale neighborhood on Friday left at least 36 people dead.
"We are overwhelmed with the amount of support," said Josette Melchor, founder of Gray Area Foundation for the Arts in San Francisco, which set up a fund-raising drive on Youcaring.com on Saturday.
She said an influx of money had come from technology companies, law firms and...
Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security issued new guidance to universities related to international students and fall instruction requirements. The guidance is deeply concerning: it could potentially force the return of many international students to their home countries if they are unable to find the appropriate balance of in-person and remote...
In 1868, UC Berkeley was founded on Ohlone land. Last week, 150 years later, the ASUC passed a resolution recognizing the campus’s role in this tragic history. Starting in the fall, the ASUC executive vice president must make the following statement at the first meeting of each semester: “I want to...
There has been a disturbing increase in hateful speech and expression in recent days, on social media platforms, and in public spaces across our country, where recent attacks have been directed at members of the Muslim and Jewish communities. The University’s administration condemns anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of prejudice and bias, on this campus and beyond. We deeply regret the impact these vile expressions of hatred have on students, staff, and faculty who belong to the targeted communities. Know that we stand with you in solidarity...
Every member of the UC Berkeley community is a valuable contributor to the university, regardless of immigration status. We recognize that recent reports of potential raids have many in our community (locally and in other parts of the country) feeling a heightened level of anxiety. We remain steadfast in welcoming, supporting, and building community with our undocumented students and staff.
According to media reports, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may conduct enforcement activities in the coming weeks. These media reports suggest...
Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion Dania Matos and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Stephen C. Sutton issued the following message on Thursday, August 31, 2023:
Dear campus community,
On Friday, August 25, an incident was reported at Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity (AEPi), a fraternity that serves the Jewish community at UC Berkeley. New details have since emerged that similar vandalism — throwing and dumping shellfish — occurred at multiple fraternities. The...
We would like to acknowledge that this communication of support should have been issued much sooner; for our delay, we apologize to the impacted Afghan community. Our thoughts are with our Afghan community members, their families, friends, and colleagues near and far. There are an estimated 60,000 Afghans in the Bay Area, some of whom have been here for decades and others recently arrived, who contribute significantly to the innovation, economy, and culture that make this region great.