Highlights
Dear undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students,
Summer’s here, but if you’re like the Berkeley staff and faculty, you’re already planning for the fall term. In this issue you’ll find some great resources here to help, including a Move-In checklist (on and off campus), plus some important deadlines. For recent admits, current students share their top picks of what you need to know as a new Golden Bear.
We’re looking forward to seeing you on campus next month. In the meantime, enjoy your summer.
Berkeley Life: By Students, For Students
While you’re completing your Golden Bear Orientation, your fellow Bears prepped answers to your burning questions about the fall term and campus life.
Calling All Creatives: Free Resources & Discounts
Free Adobe Creative Suite? Spotify and Apple Music discounts? Yes, find these and more stuff for your creative muse, as a Berkeley student!
Learn all about WiFi, printing and computer access, and other free (or discounted) technical resources for students.
Student Summer Selfies
From “mermaiding” and baking to interning and volunteering, see what your fellow Golden Bears are doing on their summer break.
You really should pack shower shoes for the residential halls. And, you should load up on quarters if you’re moving to an off-campus apartment. Check out what else is on the Move-In list for fall 2023.
Advice from an Out-of-State Student
First-year Nina shares how they navigated campus as a student coming from a small town in Oregon, including lots of tips and resources.
Berkeleyisms
EECS, anyone? Are you on Berkeley Time? How many Berkeleyisms do you know?
Find Success as a Transfer Student
Yes, in just two years you can truly be part of the undergraduate experience! Transfer student Preslee demystifies the transfer journey…including how to avoid the so-called “imposter syndrome.”
Health & Safety
SHIP Waiver Deadline: July 17
All registered Berkeley students are automatically enrolled in the Berkeley Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) every fall semester. If you have comparable health insurance that meets the SHIP waiver criteria and do not wish to have dual coverage, submit an online waiver application to waive your enrollment in SHIP. This waiver must be filled out annually. The deadline to waive without a late fee is July 17.
Apply for Disability Accommodations
Any student (undergraduate, graduate, professional school student) seeking disability accommodations for the first time needs to complete the application process, including attending an intake appointment with a Disabled Students’ Program Disability Specialist. Note: the Disability Cultural Center’s summer hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Aug. 9.
Community
Essay & Video Contest: Deadline Sept. 1
In partnership with On the Same Page, the Division of Arts & Humanities is sponsoring a student essay and video contest (Google doc), based on the documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (available to stream for free, including a version with audio description and open captions). All submissions are due on September 1.
Pulse Survey 2022: What Students Are Saying
Several times each year campus “takes the pulse” of all students to gauge how we’re serving students. One nugget from the second spring survey results: over 94% students reported that they had safe, adequate housing throughout the spring semester. Mental health remains a challenge, with 25% of undergraduates self-reporting signs of depression and 35% self-reporting signs of anxiety. You are not alone. Free Let’s Talk and Group Counseling sessions continue throughout the summer.
Berkeley Art Studio Fall Registration
Berkeley Art Studio fall registration goes live on July 19. Sign up for ceramics, photography, drawing, painting, design, printmaking, and more.
Resources & Support
Grubhub Sweepstakes Through July 31
All Berkeley students are eligible to enter to win the Grubhub Sweet Summer Sweepstakes, using your Cal 1 Card debit funds on Grubhub. Any marketplace order, anywhere in the country, of $10+ qualifies you to enter through July 31. Ten lucky students will win a $1,000 Amazon gift card and 50 additional students will win a $100 Grubhub gift card.
Free Summer Counseling Groups
UHS group counseling summer session topics include alcohol/drug harm-reduction, graduate men’s support and graduate women’s support, and holistic sleep wellness. Sessions are free for all registered Berkeley students and do not require health insurance.
Creative Lab Print/Design Services
The Student Union’s Creative Lab, staffed by professional and student designers, offers print and design services. You can catch the eyes of thousands of visitors and advertise your programs and events on the 20+ digital monitors in the Student Union, too.
Student Discount: California Amtrak Travel
Amtrak is offering a student discount (PDF) on select routes in California via train and Thruway bus. Get 30% off tickets with the 6TIX Student Pass or 15% off with the Student Discount using code V353.
Jobs, Careers, Volunteer
Become a Goalball DeCal Facilitator
Berkeley Rec Sports Inclusive Recreation is looking for students to help facilitate its GoalBall DeCal course for fall 2023. Participating students will earn one unit. If you’re interested, please email: inclusive.rec@berkeley.edu
Join the VC Student Affairs Student Advisory Committee
Are you passionate about the quality of student life at UC Berkeley? Interested in student services and development outside of the classroom? Please consider joining the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Undergraduate and Graduate Student Advisory Committee (VCSAC). All interested Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. Meetings (with dinner included) will be held monthly from 5 to 7 p.m. Fill out the application form by Sept. 1.
New Students: Log into Handshake
Use your CalNet ID to log into Handshake, Berkeley’s centralized portal for all things internship, job, career counseling, career development events, and more.
Just For Graduate Students
Program for First-Year PhD students: Register by Aug. 1
Register by Aug. 1 for the Path to Professoriate program (P2P), a community of fellow doctoral students and mentors. All first-year doctoral students are welcome, especially those from underrepresented and historically marginalized backgrounds.
New Graduate Student Orientation: Aug. 15 to 17
Register now for virtual orientation for new graduate students, August 15 to 17, 1 to 4:30 p.m., with daily virtual workshops.
Reimbursements Tip
Quick tip for graduate students making reimbursements – when you click “Save & Continue” or “Save This Expense” = your report has been saved! You do not need to recreate a report. This will help you from creating duplicates in the system.
GradGuard Tuition Insurance
Berkeley has partnered with GradGuard to provide reimbursement for tuition, room, board, and other fees if you’re forced to withdraw due to a covered illness, injury or mental health condition at any time during the covered term. Plans must be purchased before the first day of classes each term.
Finally, my congratulations to the students who received 2023 Oski Student Leadership Awards.
Sincerely,
Stephen C. Sutton, Ed.D. (he/him/his)
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Berkeley Life Roundup is a monthly email (one less in summer) with news just for students: health and wellness information, a summary of important campus updates, resources and support, and opportunities to connect, engage, and learn. Please also check out Berkeley Life hub, Berkeley Life Instagram and TikTok. Graduate students can also connect with Graduate Division Instagram, as well as other platforms.
This message was sent to all undergraduate and graduate students.