A Berkeley Problem That's Hard to Pass Over

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To the Berkeley Campus Community

I have been made aware of what appear to have been disturbing expressions of bias at a public ASUC meeting held Wednesday, April 17th. Even as we seek to more fully understand what was said, I want to make clear that the University’s administration condemns bias, including racism, anti-Semitism and other forms of prejudice, on this campus and beyond.

I also understand that at the same meeting students of color provided passionate, moving comment about the extent to which they feel isolated and marginalized on this campus. This, too, is disturbing and demanding of our attention and concern.

The divisions of Student Affairs and Equity & Inclusion are determined to support all students in our community. We must have a truly inclusive culture where all can feel safe, respected, and welcome. We also must come together and determine how we can best deter and confront not only bias but all manifestations of intolerance and exclusion that violate our shared values and Principles of Community. [https://diversity.berkeley.edu/principles-community]

If you need support, the campus has several resources, including counseling services. For help navigating these resources, please contact: deanofstudents@berkeley.edu, or visit deanofstudents.berkeley.edu/well-being.

Sincerely,

Carol Christ

Chancellor

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Message above responds to incident described below:

A dozen Jewish student groups at the University of California, Berkeley, said they were “appalled and deeply pained” by “antisemitic remarks” made during a Wednesday gathering of their student association, which conveyed “an attitude of hostility towards the Jewish people and a fundamental misunderstanding of who we are as a community.”...

Full story at http://www.algemeiner.com/2019/04/19/twelve-uc-berkeley-groups-condemn-antisemitic-conspiracies-shared-during-student-government-meeting/

According to the article above, the remarks cited were in part a response to the disqualification of a Jewish candidate (among a slate of other candidates who had won election):

Newly elected Student Action candidates disqualified from 2019 ASUC elections

http://www.dailycal.org/2019/04/16/newly-elected-student-action-candidates-disqualified-from-asuc-elections/

The issue seems to be continuing:

9 ASUC officials resign, students protest in response to Student Action candidates’ disqualification from 2019 elections:

http://www.dailycal.org/2019/04/18/9-asuc-officials-resign-students-protest-in-response-to-student-action-candidates-disqualification-from-2019-elections/

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Editorial comment: As long as student organizations, including government organizations, have "official" status, these types of incidents will continue to embarrass the university. So the administration has two choices: 1) move towards a less official status, or 2) regulate what goes on in the name of the university.