Clubs and organizations
Student groups at Berkeley cover a wide range of interests in academics, sports and recreation; professional, religious, service, political and social issues; cultural and ethnic concerns; rally and spirit activities; and the arts. Student groups and organizations registered in spring 2007 are described here in the Extra matter section of Resource and will give you an idea of what's available. To see a current list of the organizations, start your own student group, or to find funding options for student group activities, visit Campus Life and Leadership (CLL) for more information (cll.berkeley.edu; 9am-5pm; 102 Sproul Hall; studentlife@berkeley.edu; 510/642-5171, TDD/voice 510/642-6778).
Campus Life and Leadership (CLL)
CLL is the campus' office for student activities, student leadership, and student groups. It's a great starting point for those looking to get involved on campus (cll.berkeley.edu; 10am-4pm; 102 Sproul Hall; studentlife@berkeley.edu; 510/642-5171, TDD/voice 510/642-6778).
Here's a list of some of the programs and services:
Asian Pacific American, African American, Chicano/Latino and Native American student group advising
Campus sponsored student organizations
Fraternity and sorority life
Leadership development programs
Legal advice and referral
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender programs and services
Public service and community involvement programs
Student conduct education and outreach
Student group registration (check here for a list of groups from spring 2007)
Women's programs and services
Campus Life and Leadership includes: the Dean of Students Office, the Center for Student Leadership, the Cal Corps Public Service Center (see here), the Gender Equity Resource Center (see here), Student Legal Services/Attorney for Students (see here), and Student Judicial Affairs (see here).
Student group advising
For recognition by the University, and to be funded by the ASUC or Graduate Assembly, student organizations must register with Campus Life and Leadership. Registration requires four signatories, a current constitution, completion of an online orientation, and basic group information that you can input online. CLL advises students and student groups on campus policies and regulations, and assists them with program planning, conflict resolution, leadership and organizational development, and policy interpretation.
Students in continuing student groups can re-register their organizations entirely online (cll.berkeley.edu). Faculty and staff signatories must register in 102 Sproul Hall.
Recognized student groups may reserve campus facilities for meetings and events. CLL also reserves the Savio Steps on Upper Sproul Plaza for rallies and Lower Sproul Plaza for concerts and cultural events.
Campus sponsored organizations
These organizations differ from other student groups in that they are officially sponsored by the University, and therefore have University advisers and monetary support. Here is a partial list:
Cal in the Capital and Cal in Sacramento (see here).
Cal Forensics assists experienced and novice students in developing the skills to participate in individual public speaking events and competitive debates. Intercollegiate teams have been nationally ranked and have traveled extensively to college tournaments (102 Sproul Hall; 510/643-5135).
Californians Class of 2008 organizes the May Commencement Convocation and plans Senior Week events (Cal Alumni Association; alumni.berkeley.edu/students; Alumni House; 510/643-1891).
Californians Class of 2009 organizes events for their class and develops the class identity. They create the class banner and begin the search for their class commencement speaker. They also organize the annual December Graduation Convocation (Cal Alumni Association; alumni.berkeley.edu/students; Alumni House; 510/643-1891).
Californians Classes of 2010 and 2011 organize class-related events (Cal Alumni Association; alumni.berkeley.edu/students; Alumni House; 510/643-1891).
UC Berkeley Model United Nations (UCBMUN) is dedicated to enhancing students' knowledge and skills in public speaking, and negotiation through discussions on current international events and a simulation of the United Nations' session. Members participate in regional and national inter-university debate competitions (ucbmunc.org; 102 Sproul Hall; 510/642-6677).
UC Rally Committee promotes crowd enthusiasm at sports and alumni events (ucrc.berkeley.edu).
The Greek community
Specific Greek organizations are listed here in the Extra matter section.
All fraternities and sororities pride themselves in their focus upon the four pillars of Greek membership: Friendship, Scholarship, Leadership and Service. The community offers an excellent support system to deal with the rigors of life at Cal: members develop close friendships that last a lifetime; most offer academic support programs designed to enable members to succeed in the classroom; chapters provide numerous opportunities to gain leadership experiences coveted by employers and grad schools; and all sororities and fraternities host community service events that benefit their respective charities. Above all, being in a fraternity or sorority is fun. Whether at a social event, brotherhood/sisterhood event, or a philanthropy event, you can be guaranteed to enjoy yourself.
For more information visit calgreeks.com or stop by 102 Sproul Hall.
The College Panhellenic Association invites women to join one of its 13 sororities.
Prospective members attend events hosted by the sororities and have the opportunity to meet chapter members while learning about sorority life and the friendship, scholarship, service, leadership, and career opportunities it offers.
Members can also enjoy the benefits of living in comfortable sorority houses. Although the main recruitment events are in the fall, some sororities continue to recruit new members throughout the year. Registration forms for Sorority Recruitment are available during summer orientation programs, Welcome Week, the first week of classes, in 102 Sproul Hall, and on the web at calgreeks.com.
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the governing body for 35 of Berkeley's fraternities. These chapters provide unique opportunities for their members in the areas of academics, leadership, community service, career development, and social life. Members are selected throughout the year during formal and informal recruitment periods. All undergraduate men are invited to join at the start of each semester, and most fraternities continue to recruit throughout the academic year (www.calgreeks.com; 102 Sproul Hall; 510/642-5171).
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) consists of both male and female predominantly African American Greek letter organizations. (www.calgreeks.com; 102 Sproul Hall; 510/642-5171).
Other Greek organizations
Some Greek organizations are registered as student groups, including those focused on community service, religious interests, culture and professional networking (see here).
The Multi-Cultural Greek Council (MCGC) consists of both male and female culturally-based fraternities and sororities (www.calgreeks.com; 102 Sproul Hall; 510/642-5171).
Honor societies
Many scholastic single-discipline honor societies exist within specific academic departments, colleges, and schools. Information is available at the corresponding/hosting academic unit. Information about most of the following multi-disciplinary honor societies can be found online or in Campus Life and Leadership (cll.berkeley.edu; 102 Sproul Hall; 510/642-5171).
Golden Key International Honour Society (see www.goldenkey.org)
Honor Students' Society (see www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~hss)
Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society (see mortarboard.berkeley.edu)
National Society of Collegiate Scholars (see www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~nscs)
Order of Omega National Greek Honor Society (102 Sproul Hall; 510/642-5171)
Phi Beta Kappa Alpha of California (see pbk.berkeley.edu; W, 10am-noon, 1pm-3pm; M14 Wheeler Hall; 510/642-1912).
Prytanean (Pri-ta-NEE-an) Women's Honor Society (see www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~prytnean)
ASUC Office of Student Affairs
The Office of Student Affairs offers financial and program support for ASUC-sponsored student organizations to promote and encourage the diversity of campus student life.
Student Affairs assists more than 500 ASUC-funded student groups and is committed to providing high quality cocurricular activities. ASUC advisers have a strong working knowledge of the ASUC and the University, and they have many resources available to help student groups. The office conducts workshops that teach student groups how to develop programs and manage financial resources. More information on topics for student groups is available (asuc.berkeley.edu; 400 Eshleman Hall; 510/642-4536).
ASUC Auxiliary Reservations Office can provide rooms in the MLK Jr. Student Union for meetings, lectures, banquets, or conferences. Reservations are also available for the Bear's Lair and Pauley Ballroom, and the office approves the hanging of banners on the Student Union railings. You may request room reservations online (asuc.berkeley.edu; 23 MLK Jr. Student Union; 510/642-1141).
YWCA @ UC Berkeley
In addition to volunteer placements (see here), the YWCA has many services and programs for students including international dance and fitness classes (www.ywca-berkeley.org; 2600 Bancroft Way at Bowditch; info@ywca-berkeley.org; 848-6370).
Health, fitness, and dance programs are available in over 30 classes offered every semester; they include yoga, ballroom dancing, salsa, flamenco, bellydance, hip hop, jazz funk, Brazilian dance, pilates, self-defense, and much more.
The Student Volunteer Board (SVB) designs and implements a wide variety of programs for students and the community, including Week Without Violence, a high school "Shadow Day" at Cal, multicultural programs, holiday projects, and international awareness YWCA events.
The Women's Resource Library offers a vast array of books by and about women.
See here for more information about the YWCA.
California Alumni Association
Founded in 1872 by 12 members of the first graduating class, the California Alumni Association (CAA) offers programs, services, and tools that ensure your educational, cultural, and social relationship with Cal will endure.
In addition to the $1.8 million dollars a year given through the Alumni Scholarship (founded in 1934) and The Achievement Award Program (founded in 1999), CAA has many more opportunities for students.
Each year hundreds of students and alumni register to be part of UC Berkeley's largest and most respected Student Alumni Mentorship Program. CAA member alums offer expertise and guidance to students on virutally any topic, from questions about school to personal issues.
Freshman Year and Senior Year Experience programs offer key support at especially important times. Students serve Cal in organizations like the Californians, who plan large campus events; the Alumni Scholars Association, an activist group of current and former alumni scholars; and the Achievement Council, the service association of Achievement Award winners.
CAA also funds and recruits student leaders every year to plan a weeklong student homecoming consisting of over 25 social, educational, and spirit events bringing thousands of alumni and students together to celebrate Cal (alumni.berkeley.edu; Alumni House; 510/642-5780 or 1-888/CAL-ALUM).