This Week In GCR

Congress Returns to Work After Election

With the midterm elections over — excluding a handful of races that are still too close to call — Congress returned to Washington this week to work on a number of issues left unresolved. During the “lame duck” session before the end of the year, Congress must pass the remaining seven appropriations bills before their funding runs out on December 7. Among the agencies that have not yet received final FY 2019 funding are the Departments of Agriculture, Justice, Commerce, Homeland Security, State, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as the National Science Foundation and NASA. Hanging over the talks are concerns about a shutdown fight over President Trump’s proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall. The two chambers have been at a stalemate for months. The House funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security includes $5 billon for Trump’s wall; the Senate measure, by comparison, contains only $1.6 billion. With Democrats slated to take control of the House in January, the December fight could mark the best bargaining position Republicans have until January 2021 at the earliest, and only if Trump wins re-election. It remains unclear whether this impasse will result in another partial federal government shutdown.

Secretary DeVos Releases New Title IX Rules

Today, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos unveiled Title IX proposed rules for handling allegations of sexual harassment and assault. DeVos has said her controversial rewrite of the rules is aimed at bolstering the rights of accused students. The rules would more narrowly define sexual harassment, let schools use a higher standard of evidence for discipline decisions, and allow them to offer mediation to resolve cases. They also would only hold schools responsible only for resolving cases involving misconduct that occurred on school-owned properties or at school-sponsored programs or events. Campuses must use a consistent standard of proof for all SVSH cases on their campus, whether they involve students, faculty or staff. One major change is that the rules are expected to guarantee students have a chance to cross-examine their accusers. This is a major departure from Obama-era guidelines that discouraged the practice, which survivor advocates say is traumatizing. UC Office of the President will review the new rules and submit a comment letter during the 60-day comment period.

State Budget in “Remarkably Good Shape”

A report published by the Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) finds that under their estimates of revenues and spending, the state’s constitutional reserve would reach $14.5 billion by the end of 2019-20. In addition, the LAO projects the Legislature will have nearly $15 billion in resources available to allocate in the 2019-20 budget process. The Legislature can use these funds to build more reserves or make new one-time and/or ongoing budget commitments. The longer-term outlook for the state also is positive. Under the LAO’s economic growth scenario, the state would have operating surpluses averaging around $4.5 billion per year (but declining over time). Using the recession scenario, the state would have enough reserves to cover a budget problem — provided the Legislature used all of the available resources in 2019-20 to build more reserves.

Student Leaders Thank Legislators for Supporting UC’s Budget

This week, representatives from the the office of ASUC External Affairs Vice President Nuha Khalfay continued to make the rounds with legislators in their district offices to thank them for supporting UC’s budget request in the last legislative session. Students popped in to visit with Cal alum Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, and Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Alameda). Pictured: Dominick Williams, Daniel Chagnon, Asm. Phil Ting, Johnny Nguyen, Ariana De La Fuente.

United Against Hate Week and Letter Writing Campaign

Community leaders and residents from Berkeley and across the East Bay kicked off United Against Hate Week (UAH) on November 11 with a concert and celebration of diversity and tolerance at Berkeley’s Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park. UAH week (November 11 to 18) is a call for civic action to stop hate. Mayor Jesse Arreguín (pictured third from left) was joined on the stage by ASUC President Alex Wilfert (pictured 4th from left), Albany Mayor McQuaid, and Emeryville Mayor John Bauters, who all offered remarks about the importance of an open, welcoming, diverse East Bay and the need to combat hate in all our communities. An inspiring line up included anti hate crime activists Arno Michaelis and Pardeep Kaleka as well as performances by local gospel singers, spoken word artists, and blues and rock bands. Ahead of UAH Week, UC Berkeley students have expressed support for the week through an ASUC resolution, sponsored by External Affairs Vice President Nuha Khalfay. Khalfay has said that she believes the week’s internal community benefits also encourage neighboring districts to move in a similar direction.

Among the dozens of events in 25 East Bay communities are 14 film screenings and community discussions in 11 cities — including one at Albany Village — bystander trainings, and a cooperative game night. Moe's Books in Berkeley is hosting a day-long letter writing campaign on November 16 to encourage newly-elected officials to “stop the words of hate.” Download the letter template and bring it to Moe’s by Sunday, November 18 and they'll mail it out for free! To learn more, check out the Daily Cal article about the kick off, or visit the United Against Hate website to explore activities and get involved.

Student Neighbor Relations Continue to Improve

The Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Student-Neighbor Relations, which has met since 2005, convened this week to identify and address issues that impact the neighborhoods adjacent to the campus, and support initiatives, campaigns and programs that respond to the changing needs of those residents. This meeting was convened by Dean Joseph Greenwell, ASUC External Affairs Vice President Nuha Khalfay, Assistant to the City Manager Erin Steffen, and Government and Community Relations Executive Director Esther Gulli. Nearly 40 people attended. Referring to a report and updates that were provided to Advisory Council participants ahead of time, community, city and campus stakeholders as well as student leaders were on hand to provide updates and answer questions about their collaborative efforts to improve relations between our students and neighbors. Topics included a warm welcome to Berkeley Officer and Area 2 Coordinator Sean Tinney, who is returning to service on the Southside of campus; updates about student-led efforts to support seniors in their homes and reduce the impact of Move Out while encouraging students to recycle and reuse; a neighbor-student partnership to repair the iconic gates at the entrance to the Claremont/Elmwood neighborhood; and a report of the First 8 initiative that captured the work of city and campus leaders who work to reduce student risk. At the conclusion of the meeting, one neighborhood leader complimented the Advisory Council and the campus, saying the campus is currently the most responsive he’s seen in his 60 years of living in Berkeley.

Housing, Street Lights, Women's Athletic Facilities Updates at Second Committee Meeting

The City/UC/Student Relations Committee, a special committee of the Berkeley City Council, met for the second time this semester, on the morning of November 13 on campus. The Committee, also referred to as the 4 by 6, includes city council members that represent the four districts adjacent to campus, ASUC and Graduate Assembly leaders, and two UCB representatives (Student Affairs and GCR). Agenda items included presentations about current street light locations on and around the campus from Senior Planner Todd Henry; an update about Capital Projects work to improve Cal women’s Athletics facilities from Senior Associate Athletics Director, Facilities, Events & Capital Projects Josh Hummel, as well as a campus housing update from Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Steve Sutton.

Regents Visit Campus to Hear from Students

Regents Sherry Lansing, John Pérez, Richard Sherman and Student Regent Designate Hayley Weddle were on campus on November 15 meeting with student leaders to hear first-hand the issues on their minds. The roundtable discussion was organized by ASUC EAVP Nuha Khalfay and covered a broad range of topics from funding for Center for Advocacy and Resources and Education (CARE) offices systemwide, to doxing and hate crimes on campus. The meeting took place in the ASUC Senate Chambers following the Regents meeting in San Francisco. Regent Lansing noted that she saw some familiar faces from the earlier open comment period of the Regents meeting but appreciated having more time to spend with students on their campus. Lansing requested the opportunity to come meet with students several weeks ago, upon learning of this, several Regents decided to join her on her visit across the Bay.

Another topic of discussion was Prop 209 and diversity on campus. Regent Perez commended Chancellor Christ on her intentionality for setting a goal of having UC Berkeley become a Hispanic Serving Institution. He also talked about the positive work going on at UC San Diego, calling them a shining star with regard to African American recruitment and yield. He encouraged students to stay engaged in issues they care about and to initiate projects and programs that they could see live on perpetuity. He reflected on his own time in the old Eshelman back in 1991 and how rewarding it was to see some of the things he was a part of then, still going strong.

Berkeley Food Institute Names Interim Executive Director

After five years, founding Executive Director of the Berkeley Food Institute (BFI) Ann Thrupp is retiring at the end of the year. Nina F. Ichikawa, currently BFI’s Policy Director, will serve as Interim Executive Director. A frequent partner of GCR on advocacy visits to Sacramento, BFI seeks to transform food systems to expand access to healthy, affordable food and promote sustainable and equitable food production, empowering new leaders with capacities to cultivate diverse, just, resilient and healthy food systems. Dr Kristin Madsen, an Associate Professor at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, will continue as BFI’s Faculty Director for the Berkeley Food Institute. The office of Government and Community Relations offers a hardy thank you to Ann and congratulations to Nina!

United Against Hate Week Activities

Near Normal Man Film Screening and Discussion
November 16, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
University Village Center, Albany
Join the University Village community for a film screening of “Near Normal Man.” In this film, Ben Stern, a Holocaust survivor for whom the past is never past and whose courage, kindness and faith remain intact, is tested once again, in a fiercely public battle against the Nazis in Skokie, Illinois. Sponsored by the City of Albany, Albany Unified School District, University Village and the Albany Community Foundation, the event will also feature a conversation and Q&A with Charlene Stern, the film’s producer/director and the daughter of Ben Stern. More information is available here.

The Upstanding Immigrant Film Screening
November 17, 7.p.m.
Bridget Storage and ArtSpace, 23 Maine Ave, Richmond
Join the community at Bridge Storage and ArtSpace as filmmaker Hector Ortiz and the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission present an evening of film shorts. Ortiz’s film, “The Announcement,” which he won an RACC neighborhood mini-grant to complete, will be featured. He has curated this evening, which also includes other short films in the overall theme of "The Upstanding Immigrant.” Doors open at 7:00 PM. Screening and discussion will begin at 8 p.m.

Compassionate Communication Across Difference
November 18, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
The Compassionate Communication Across Difference seminar is a part of a series of events in Berkeley to celebrate United Against Hate Week. For a full list of events, see the flyer below.

2018 Big Game Postponed Due to Unhealthy Air Quality
The next home game is the 2018 Big Game versus Stanford, rescheduled for December 1 at noon. Originally scheduled for November 17, the game and associated activities have been postponed due to unhealthy air quality caused by the tragic and devastating Camp Fire in Northern California. Classes were also cancelled on November 16 and the campus has been effectively closed due to health concerns.

Check in the 2018 Big Game Week Events website for updates. And for more information about Cal Athletics events, check out the Cal Football schedule and the Cal Athletics website: calbears.com. GO BEARS!

More Events and News
And remember, you can always check out upcoming campus events on the campus calendar be sure to check the Berkeley News Center for your campus news needs. The Registrar’s office also has the academic calendar for this and coming years available for you to view.

Holiday Schedule 
As the holidays approach and the semester draws to a close, the GCR Newsletter will be published less frequently. We will not publish the week of Thanksgiving, and will likely publish alternating weeks in December and January with no publication during campus curtailment.

Accurate or Updated Information
Please note, this newsletter is designed to provide fast, accurate information about pressing issues and and events of interest. Information changes quickly. Every effort is made to report accurately. If new information develops, however, it will be reported in the next newsletter.