November 9, 2021 - Indigenous Heritage, Healthy Holidays, and Grateful Reflections

Dear undergraduate, graduate, and professional students,

In the last few weeks of the semester before RRR (Reading/Review/Recitation Week) and finals, we’re finding moments to be grateful. Whether appreciating Indigenous heritage, honoring veterans, remembering sacrifices, or celebrating festivals of light and giving thanks--there are so many ways to reflect… and hopefully slip in some moments of self-care.

Here are this month’s other key takeaways:

In November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, recognizing a history of rich diversity, accomplishments, and traditions of Native American, Indigenous, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Read about Native Heritage at Cal, where two students share personal insight to the Native/Indigenous student community on campus.

On November 11, we recognize an academic and administrative holiday in honor of Veterans Day. To our veterans, thank you for your service. If you haven’t already, we invite you to connect with the Cal Veterans student group.

This Roundup also includes health updates for Thanksgiving holiday travel, reminders about services for spring semester, special food events (with food appreciation!), plus a few ways to be creative, relax, exercise, and have fun on campus.

Health and Safety

Thanksgiving/November Break Travel and COVID-19

If you plan to travel, UHS recommends getting a surveillance test approximately three days before your trip. If you need travel documentation, check the UHS testing before travel web page for links to outside resources for travel-related COVID testing. Before any travel, please review and follow CDC guidelines for travelers. When you return: If you are fully vaccinated and feel any symptoms, or if you were in close contact with someone who had COVID-19, please get tested at UHS as soon as possible, and self-isolate until you receive negative test results.

UHS Testing Hours During Thanksgiving Week

The week of November 22, UHS will offer testing on Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.at the Recreational Sports Facility site. The testing site will close from Wednesday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 28. Please make testing appointments via eTang as usual.

Final Call for Flu Shots - Deadline Next Week

Remember to get a flu shot before the deadline on November 19. Drop-in clinics will be available to students Nov. 17, 18, and 19 at the UHS Tang Center Section Club (near Durant Ave. entrance). Free for students with SHIP and $40 for non-SHIP students (bring your Cal 1 Card).

Last Free Rapid HIV Testing Event of the Fall Semester

Visit UHS for free rapid HIV testing on Friday, Nov. 19, 12 to 3 p.m. in Health Promotion on the second floor of the UHS Tang Center. Testing method is a blood-based finger prick test with results provided in 30 minutes. See the UHS website for sexual health information.

Connecting and Community

Connect with the Native American and Indigenous Community

There are many ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month 2021. To begin, we encourage you to read the UC Berkeley Land Acknowledgement, where we recognize that Berkeley sits on the territory of Huichin, the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo speaking Ohlone people. Also learn about the community on campus and find ways to support Native American businesses by visiting Native American Student Development (NASD). Or take time to read personal insight from members of the Native/Indigenous student community or learn about Berkeley’s new Indigenous Community Learning Garden.

Chef Marcos Shares His Love of Food With Students and Staff

“I love food. I love making people happy, and I love making people happy with food,” says Cal Dining Chef Marcos Hernandez in an interview with Berkeley Life. We are grateful for the people on campus who bring our community together, and this story shows how the Director of Culinary Services nourishes the student and staff experience at Berkeley.

Healthy Eating: Bears in the Kitchen Virtual Cook-Along!

Learn how to cook fun, cheap, and easy recipes with UHS Registered Dietitians. They’ll be cooking live and you can follow along on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 4 to 5 p.m. These events are free and open to all UC Berkeley students. Register to attend and learn about UHS Nutrition events.

SSWANA Wellness Series

Join the South Asian, Southwest Asian, and North African (SSWANA) Initiative at UC Berkeley for these upcoming events: 1) Familial Intergenerational Trauma on Monday, Nov. 15, and 2) LGBTQIA SSWANA Community Space on Monday, Dec. 6, both from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Register for the SSWANA Wellness Series to attend.

Reading/Review/Recitation Week Stress Management and Taking Care of Yourself

Beat finals stress with Bears Bounce Back stress management! Learn to improve focus, how to care for your body, and practice injury prevention. Join the UHS Physical Therapy and Health Promotion team on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1 to 3 p.m. in Moffitt Library. Find free snacks and foam roller raffle prizes. For questions, please contact hpromo@berkeley.edu

Final CrafterDark of the Semester

Join the Berkeley Art Studio for free in-person crafting on Nov. 18, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. At this session you can make Shrinky Dink ornaments and jewelry. All materials are free and there will be an instructor ready to help you. Join the fun on the first floor for the MLK Jr. Building.

Art Studio Holiday Pop Up Shop

Don't worry about "supply chain problems"...we've got your holiday gifts right here! Handcrafted by local Bay Area artists, find everything from pottery to jewelry to cards at the Berkeley Art Studio Holiday Pop-Up Shop. The Shop is on the third floor of the MLK Jr. Building, just off Upper Sproul Plaza. All proceeds benefit local artists and the Art Studio.

Art Studio Winter 2022 Class Registration

Feeling creative? You don't need to be an art major or minor to register for classes with the Berkeley Art Studio. All classes are co-curricular (just for fun), with ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, and printmaking options. Classes are about 7-weeks long, once a week, and begin with the Spring semester. No artistic experience required!

Relax and Have Fun: Music and Table Tennis in MLK

Take a break from studying to relax at the MLK Student Union. Every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. the student union is featuring student musical groups for your listening pleasure in the MLK Jr. Dining Room. Plus, table tennis is now available in the MLK Jr. Dining Room. Simply request balls and a pair of paddles from the 1st or 2nd floor Information Desk and play-away! Tables are first-come-first-serve.

Still Adjusting to Daylight Savings?

Take a moment to appreciate the early evenings with Better at Night: Places on Campus worth exploring after dark.

Reflecting on the Past - Disability Rights at Berkeley

Read highlights from what one student learned about the Disability Rights Movement at Berkeley in honor of the National Disability Awareness Month in October. Do you have a story or reflection about Berkeley to share? Join our Student Affairs Cast, who are featured on social media, in campus videos, and brochures. Help shape the Berkeley story.

Resources and Support

Plan Ahead for Holiday Events and Adjusted Hours

Many campus services will have limited hours for the week of Fall break, so check with individual departments and plan accordingly. The Foothill Dining Commons and Cub Market will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Thursday, Nov. 25 to Saturday, Nov. 27, and will resume normal hours with dinner on Sunday. Other dining commons will be closed from Thursday, Nov. 25 through Saturday, Nov. 27 and will resume with dinner on Sunday, Nov. 28. See Cal Dining hours.

Cal Dining Special Event Meals

Join Cal Dining for two special dinners in November. On Nov. 18, there will be a Fall Harvest dinner at all dining commons. For those staying in the Berkeley area for Thanksgiving, enjoy a feast with Peking Duck and Dim Sum on Nov. 25 at Foothill from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. See Cal Dining special events.

Campus Housing Available for Spring Semester

Apply now for campus housing this spring! With campus housing, you won’t have to pay a large upfront deposit, your unit will be fully furnished, and most units have wi-fi and utilities included. Most openings will be in residence halls, where you’ll enjoy community, residential programs, and support that you won’t find off campus, as well as convenient Berkeley locations.

Need a Quiet Place to Watch Lectures or Study?

Visit the Registrar’s Remote Learning Room Calendar where you’ll find an up-to-date list of classrooms where you can watch lecture classes or study quietly.

LGBTQIA+ Counseling

Have you heard about Berkeley’s free counseling specifically for LGBTQIA+ students? UHS offers informal, virtual Let's Talk Consultations about topics including coming out, self-acceptance, finding community, being LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC, and more. Check out the fall UHS Let’s Talk PDF flyer for counselor information and hours. No insurance or paperwork is required.

Dining on Campus: Where to Eat & How to Get There

Read advice from a student about getting food on campus, whether or not you have a meal plan. Explore options based on your needs, from groceries and food pantries to restaurants, including campus gardens. For those interested, Spring Off-Campus Meal Plans can now be purchased and will be available through January 29, 2022.

Starting at Berkeley in January 2022?

Spring start students: we can’t wait to welcome you in person, Golden Bears! In the meantime, here are resources and services to help you prepare for coming to campus this spring.

Commencement Dates Announced

Fall and Spring campuswide commencement ceremonies are set. Fall Class of 2021 will be on Dec. 18, 2021, 8:30 a.m., at Haas Pavilion. Spring Class of 2022 will be on May 14, 2022, 10 a.m., at California Memorial Stadium. If you will be graduating, you’ll receive emails about the details.

Jobs, Careers, Volunteer

Get Career Experience: Job Shadow Externship Program

The Cal Job Shadow Externship Program provides creative ways for you to explore a career field and connect with a Cal alumnus during winter break. Find other Career Center resources to help you engage and grow in your career development.

Now hiring: Cal Student Central and Bears for Financial Success

Cal Student Central (CSC) is hiring new Peer Advisors to work at the CSC front desk (must be available to work both in person and remotely). Work starts as early as December. Bears for Financial Success, UC Berkeley's peer-to-peer financial wellness program, is hiring Peer Educators to begin work in the spring semester and continue through Fall 2022.

I am incredibly grateful to be part of this thriving Golden Bear community. Whenever you celebrate and honor holidays this month, may you enjoy a healthy and healthy fall break!

Sincerely,

Stephen C. Sutton, Ed.D. (he/him/his)
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Berkeley Life Roundup is a monthly email 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 and Berkeley Life Instagram. Graduate students can also connect with Graduate Division Instagram, as well as other platforms.

This message was sent to all undergraduate and graduate students.