The University's fundamental missions are teaching, research
and public service.
We teach - educating students at all levels, from undergraduate
to the most advanced graduate level. Undergraduate programs
are available to all eligible California high-school graduates and
community college transfer students who wish to attend the
University of California.
Instructional programs at the undergraduate level transmit
knowledge and skills to students. At the graduate level,
students experience with their instructors the processes of
developing and testing new hypotheses and fresh
interpretations of knowledge. Education for professional
careers, grounded in understanding of relevant sciences,
literature and research methods, provides individuals with the
tools to continue intellectual development over a lifetime and
to contribute to the needs of a changing society.
Through our academic programs, UC helps create an educated
workforce that keeps the California economy competitive. And,
through University Extension, with a half-million enrollments
annually, UC provides continuing education for Californians to
improve their job skills and enhance the quality of their lives.
We provide public service, which dates back to UC's origins as a
land grant institution in the 1860s. Today, through its public
service programs and industry partnerships, UC disseminates
research results and translates scientific discoveries into practical
knowledge and technological innovations that benefit California
and the nation.
UC's agricultural extension programs serve hundreds of thousands
of Californians in every county in the state.
Open to all Californians, UC's libraries, museums, performing arts
spaces, gardens and science centers are valuable public resources
and community gathering places.
The University's active involvement in public-school partnerships
and professional development institutes help strengthen the
expertise of teachers and the academic achievement of students
in communities throughout California.
We do research - by some of the world's best researchers and
brightest students in hundreds of disciplines at its campuses,
national laboratories, medical centers and other research
facilities around the state. UC provides a unique environment in
which leading scholars and promising students strive together to
expand fundamental knowledge of human nature, society, and
the natural world. Its basic research programs yield a multitude
of benefits for California: billions of tax dollars, economic
growth through the creation of new products, technologies,
jobs, companies and even new industries, agricultural
productivity, advances in health care, improvements in the
quality of life. UC's research has been vital in the establishment
of the Internet and the semiconductor, software and
biotechnology industries in California, making substantial
economic and social contributions.
Principles of Community
These principles of community for the University of California, Berkeley, are rooted in our
mission of teaching, research and public service. They reflect our passion for critical inquiry,
debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world.
Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane
environment in which these values can thrive.
•We place honesty and integrity in our teaching, learning, research and administration at the
highest level.
•We recognize the intrinsic relationship between diversity and excellence in all our endeavors.
•We affirm the dignity of all individuals and strive to uphold a just community in which
discrimination and hate are not tolerated.
•We are committed to ensuring freedom of expression and dialogue that elicits the full
spectrum of views held by our varied communities.
•We respect the differences as well as the commonalities that bring us together and call for
civility and respect in our personal interactions.
•We believe that active participation and leadership in addressing the most pressing issues
facing our local and global communities are central to our educational mission.
•We embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our
obligation and goal.
UC Berkeley's "Principles of Community" statement was developed collaboratively by students, faculty, staff, and alumni,
and issued by the Chancellor. Its intent is to serve as an affirmation of the intrinsic and unique value of each member of the
UC Berkeley community and as a guide for our personal and collective behavior, both on campus and as we serve society.
Black Staff and Faculty
Organization
Mission Statement
The Black Staff and Faculty Organization (BSFO) was established in 1979
to address the issues and concerns unique to employees at the
University of California, Berkeley. The goal of BSFO is to promote
inclusiveness of African-Americans at the University of California at
Berkeley; to function as an informative organization in support of
recruitment, career development and retention of our members; hold
the campus administration accountable for maintaining its commitment
to diversity and affirmative action; and to be an influential voice in
supporting recruitment and retention of African -American students.
Ultimately bring together the African-American community internally
and externally. To develop and maintain a cohesive network system that
will cross all campus levels.
Scotlan Scholarship
The Scotlan Scholarship award recognizes students who have
achieved academic excellence and who have demonstrated
leadership in the community. We hope this annual celebration
of Black student success motivates and inspires other students
to strive toward academic excellence.
Incentives Awards Program
A Scholarship Program That Changes Lives
The Incentive Awards Program (IAP) provides financial support in scholarship funds
over eight semesters, and student support services to low-income students and first
generation college students who have demonstrated leadership potential, high
academics, and a commitment to serve others.
IAP reaches out to first-generation college students who have overcome great
socioeconomic disadvantages through its partnerships with 49 Northern California
high schools, and 22 Los Angeles high schools through its Pre-Collegiate Academy.
IAP believes that education is an equalizer and a means to empower dynamic young community leaders.
The Incentive Awards Program (IAP) is committed to providing an avenue for high-achieving students who
have overcome socio-economic barriers to advance their education and success at UC Berkeley and
beyond.
We realize this mission by:
•Inspiring first-generation college and low-income high school students to seek a post-secondary
education, and encouraging them to apply to and attend UC Berkeley.
•Recruiting applicants who reflect the diverse populations of their high schools and who are committed to
mentoring younger students.
•Providing the tools, empowerment, and support services to help IAP Scholars successfully navigate their
academic careers and graduate from UC Berkeley.
•Counseling Scholars in their future endeavors, and by cultivating community leaders.
The UC Berkeley McNair Scholars
Program
What is the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program?
The McNair Scholars Program prepares selected UC Berkeley
undergraduates for graduate study at the doctoral level.
Twenty to thirty McNair Scholars are selected each year to
participate in both academic and summer activities. The
McNair Scholars Program aims to increase numbers of groups
underrepresented in doctoral programs.
Who Qualifies?
Students who meet the following criteria:
• Completion of at least 60 units
• 3.0 minimum cumulative UC Berkeley GPA
• US Citizenship or permanent US Residency
• Qualify as either a first-generation college student who also
has an income level established by the US Department of
Education; or a member of a group that is underrepresented
in graduate education.
• Preference is given to students who have previously
participated in a TRIO program.
The Posse Foundation
The Posse Foundation identifies public high school students with
extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be
overlooked by traditional college selection processes. Those Posse
Scholars who are admitted by UC Berkeley are awarded a four-year,
full-tuition leadership scholarship. Posse Scholars graduate at a rate
of 90 percent and make a visible difference on campus and
throughout their professional careers.
The Benefits
•Full tuition scholarship and possible supplemental aid
•For-credit seminar with fellow Posse Scholars addressing academic
study skills, leadership skills, stress management, time
management, writing, research skills and methodology, graduate
school application, community service, mentoring, and learning
about campus resources.
•Posse retreats, including Annual Posse Plus Retreat
•Faculty, staff, and peer mentoring
•External Posse support and program evaluation
•Senior officer at UC Berkeley to act as liaison with Posse staff
Summer Bridge
Mission Statement Summer Bridge, a rigorous
academic residential program, cultivates a
diverse community of scholars and prepares
them to engage actively with and meet the
challenges of a large public research University.
The Program supports the University's
commitment to excellence by providing
students with:
•A stimulating and challenging academic experience
•Personalized, comprehensive advising and counseling
•An intellectually and socially enriching residential experience
Summer Bridge began in 1973 with the mission of assisting
entering Educational Opportunity Program Freshmen and
Transfer students as they transitioned to the University. The
inception classes were small in size, servicing approximately
35-50 students for eight weeks. In 1976 Summer Bridge
expanded its enrollment by 50%. The following year, 1977,
the student population served became limited to freshmen.
In 1978 Summer Bridge was once again
expanded to serve Affirmative Action students
and in the five years following this (1979-1984)
a Special Services Grant allowed for
augmented services for low-income, firstgeneration students and English as a Second
Language students. Following the tradition of
expansion and service to underserved
communities, during the period of 1980-1989
Summer Bridge incorporated student athletes,
disabled students, and mandated students
whose admission is conditional on their
successful completion of the program. The
Summer Bridge class of 1989 was the first class
to have an all-residential experience- a key
component that has continued since. From
1980-1994 Summer Bridge served
approximately 200-280 students each summer
and in 1993 it became a six week program. In
1998 the Summer Bridge program was forced
to adopt and admissions cap due to funding
issues.
Today the program serves over 140 students. 90% of its
students are eligible for financial aid and 84% of its students
come from families that makes less than $45,000 a year. Using
measurable data it has been shown that students who
complete Summer Bridge persist at Cal at a higher rate than
non-Summer Bridge first-year students. Overall retention
rates for Summer Bridge students are higher than those of
the general student body. Our success has been a model for
universities across the nation and around the globe. With
90% of Summer Bridge students being the first in their
families to attain a bachelor’s degree, Summer Bridge has
never wavered in its mission to successfully transition lowincome and first generation students to the University. Thirtyfive years and more than 5,000 students later, the program
continues to assist students traverse their bridge and go on to
become lawyers, scientists, educators, professional athletes,
and civic leaders.