Leadership
Many leadership opportunities are available through registered student groups, volunteer programs, internships, peer advising, the Student Regent, and undergraduate and graduate student government (ASUC and the Graduate Assembly). Check the Index for information.
Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC)
ASUC is Berkeley’s student government. Its revenues of over $3 million come from student fees and ASUC commercial activities, which fund more than 500 student groups and numerous services and operations. The ASUC occupies space in Eshleman Hall (which houses executive offices, the Eshleman Library, activity groups, service groups, and publications), the Student Union (with meeting rooms, student services, the Multicultural Center, food service operations, and The Cal Student Store), and Anthony Hall (home to the Graduate Assembly).
Formed 120 years ago, the ASUC has launched many campus operations that are still in existence today—Intercollegiate Athletics, The Daily Californian, Cal Dining, The Scholars Workstation, and Welcome Week— just to name a few.
Currently the ASUC is focusing on plans for the redevelopment of Lower Sproul Plaza, increasing revenues to support student programs, implementing minority outreach programs to ensure diversity while complying with Proposition 209, negotiating with the University for a permanent home for the Multicultural Center, and sponsoring numerous other projects to enhance student life at Cal.
The ASUC represents students’ interests on campus; students may bring their concerns to the fore through any of the ASUC branches mentioned below.
The ASUC Senate is the highest student authority, with final word in all ASUC policy and fiscal matters. The campuswide election for the 20-member senate is held in the spring. The senate meets every Wednesday at 7pm in the Senate Chamber on the first floor of Eshleman Hall.
The Store Operations Board (SOB) is composed of UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff. SOB oversees The Cal Student Store, the Student Union, building operations for Anthony and Eshleman Halls, the ASUC Art Studio, Cal Lecture Notes, and other income-producing activities.
The Executive Officers of the ASUC are the President (chief spokesperson for the ASUC), the Executive Vice President (Senate Chair), the Academic Affairs Vice President (who appoints students to the campus governing and advisory committees on academic policies), the External Affairs Vice President (who manages on- and off-campus issues affecting Cal students), and the Student Advocate (who assists students with University-related problems).
The Judicial Council provides recourse when constitutional problems occur within the ASUC.
Each of these offices offers internships that familiarize students with the workings of the ASUC, and provide a useful background if they want to run for an ASUC office.
The best time to get involved in ASUC government is at the beginning of fall semester or at the end of spring semester, since that’s when most positions become available. The Office of Student Affairs (400 Eshleman Hall) has listings of internships and other positions.
For more information
ASUC website (asuc.org)
ASUC Auxiliary website (asuc.berkeley.edu)
General information (second floor Eshleman desk; 510/642-1431)
ASUC Senators (510/642-1431)
Graduate Assembly, see here (Anthony Hall; 510/642-2175)
Student Advocate, see here (204 Eshleman Hall; 510/642-6912)
Student Affairs, see here (student groups, 400 Eshleman Hall;
510/642-4536)
Center for Student Leadership
The Center for Student Leadership (CSL) helps students select educational leadership experiences that are right for them. Students can advocate for a cause, join or start an organization, plan and host events, facilitate workshops, and work with others to create positive social change (leadership.berkeley.edu; 102 Sproul Hall; 510/642-5171).
Programs and services offered:
The Cal Student Leadership Symposium, hosted by the University in the spring, is a day-long conference featuring networking, skill development, workshops, and guest speakers (leadership.berkeley.edu).
The Blueprint Leadership Program is a yearlong leadership experience offering a series of workshops, a social justice project, small group interactions and one-on-one leadership coaching (blueprint.berkeley.edu).
The Dean’s TEAM, developed in coordination with the Dean of Student’s Office,is a four-course training program built for students to enhance their facilitation skills (RSVP for Fall 2008, leadership.berkeley.edu).
Teambuilding in the Trees is a ropes course that challenges students to work as a team. Explore inner courage, accountability, and the ability to trust others as you tackle an obstacle course two stories off the ground. Registered student groups eligible for discount (leadership.berkeley.edu).
The Lead for Change Series offers free leadership workshops to Berkeley students. Enhance your leadership and diversity knowledge through critical discussion of current issues in an interactive workshop setting (leadership.berkeley.edu).
The Student Regent serves a two-year term (the first as Student Regent Designate, the second as Student Regent) as a voting member of the Board of Regents. Students interested in applying for the position can pick up an application starting in January from the Center for Student Leadership; the deadline is usually in late February (studentregent.berkeley.edu; 102 Sproul Hall; 510/642-5171).
The Committee on Student Fees and Budget Review
Founded in 1972 to provide student representation on fee and budget matters at the University, the committee is completely student-run and serves both the administration and the students by offering informed input on the use of student fees. Although the committee serves as an advisory body to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, it is autonomous and totally independent from both the UC Berkeley administration and the student government. Employment and internship programs that focus on policymaking and budgetary analysis are available (210 Eshleman Hall; 510/642-1639).
Residential leadership opportunities
Each residence hall or residential community has an elected body of students called the Hall Association, which coordinates cultural, educational, and social activities within the hall. The umbrella organization for all hall associations is the Residence Hall Assembly, or RHA (reshall.berkeley.edu/rha). Other programs include the Peer Review Board (which reviews conduct cases), Overnight Host Program (for high school students considering coming to Cal), and SOS (Student Orientation Staff). Check out the website for student leadership employment opportunities (housing.berkeley.edu/student/leadership.html; 510/642-3213).
Leadership awards
The Center for Student Leadership hosts the annual Oski Awards, which recognizes outstanding student leaders, organizations, programs, fraternities, and sororities (leadership.berkeley.edu).
Leadership awards are conferred each spring. These include the Kenneth Priestley Award, the Chancellor’s Community Service Awards, the Winged Helmet Award, and the Prytanean Prize. These are some of the University’s highest honors recognizing outstanding student leadership and service (Campus Life & Leadership; cll.berkeley.edu).
The Scholarship Connection office has information on a number of scholarships available to students who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential. Scholarships include the Strauss Scholarship, which awards $10,000 to juniors who apply to initiate a public service project during their senior year, and the Truman Scholarship, which awards $30,000 to exceptional juniors who plan to pursue a graduate career related to public service (scholarships.berkeley.edu; 301B Campbell Hall; scholarships@learning.berkeley.edu; 510/643-6929).