Students can find enrichment and support through a variety of student groups. Besides sports, cultural, and other activities sponsored by the ASUC (Associated Students of the University of California), there are more than 750 registered student organizations on campus serving special interests and needs. Student groups include academic and professional, ethnic and cultural, political and social action, recreational, religious, and service-oriented organizations, as well as student publications. Encourage your students to get involved in some of these activities. They are wonderful ways to explore new interests and make friends.

Campus Life and Leadership

Campus Life and Leadership (CLL) serves as the campus expert and hub for transformational student leadership development and community engagement. CLL is committed to nurturing the holistic development of students and promoting personal and intellectual growth.  It offers student group advising, leadership programs, workshops and conferences, public service opportunities, internships, and student leadership and community service awards. CLL is comprised of the Cal Corps Public Service Center, the Center for Student Leadership, Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Gender Equity Resource Center, the Office of Student Conduct, the Attorney for Students and the Dean of Students Office.

Cultural and Recreational Resources

Berkeley students have abundant opportunities to enjoy the arts and humanities, both as spectators and as active participants.

Museums on or near campus include the UC Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive, Lawrence Hall of Science, Hearst Museum of Anthropology, and the UC Botanical Garden.

Students can choose from a broad variety of activities in music, theater, and dance. Both majors and non-majors are encouraged to audition for performance groups. Student musical activities include the California Marching Band; the Jazz Ensembles; two award-winning a cappella groups — the Golden Overtones, a women’s group, and the Men’s Octet; and other groups under the Department of Music. The Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies holds theatrical and dance classes and performances on campus.

Cal Performances maintains a campus theater — Zellerbach Hall — that offers a year-round program of world-class professional music, dance, and dramatic presentations. Students receive discounts on tickets and may also work as ushers.

The Student Union Program, Entertainment, and Recreation Board (SUPERB) is a student-run entertainment production company that produces a wide range of events. This is a great opportunity for students who like to get involved behind the scenes.Sports

Students also have access to campus physical education, sports, and recreation facilities. Gymnasiums, swimming pools, various courts for indoor and outdoor activities, two tracks, and a host of workout machines are available for a small fee.

The Physical Education Program offers classes at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels in aquatics, sports, dance, and fitness. The program also can provide physical fitness assessments and prescribed exercise routines. Through the Departments of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports, students can choose among a wide variety of activities ranging from fitness and massage therapy to nutritional counseling. There are also recreational programs and assistance for disabled users.

Through the Intercollegiate Athletics program, men’s and women’s teams are involved in intercollegiate competition each year. Students who are interested in participating on a varsity team should contact the Department of Athletics for information. Cal is a member of the Pacific-10 Conference and NCAA.

Student season tickets for football and basketball are available for purchase at CalBears.com. Admission to other regular-season home events is free to all currently registered, full-time Cal students with student IDs.

Cal Intramural Sports offers a diverse range of organized team and individual sports on a competitive or recreational level, as well as job opportunities officiating at events. National and international competitions, recreation, and instruction are available through Cal Sport Clubs, and Cal Adventures offers a wide variety of classes and outings and provides affordable rental equipment as well.

Fraternities and Sororities

Fraternities and sororities offer students an opportunity to make lifelong friendships, participate in community service, develop leadership skills, and improve academic abilities. Most organizations are associated with the Interfraternity Council for men, the College Panhellenic Association for women, and the traditionally African American National Pan-Hellenic Council. There are also growing numbers of independent and culture-specific fraternities and sororities to meet student needs

Religious Activities

Although the university may not legally sponsor religious activity on campus, there are abundant religious groups both on and off campus that serve the campus community. Among these are numerous religious student organizations representing many faiths. The interfaith University Religious Council (URC) can provide students with a list of local churches, temples, and mosques and help them find spiritual support groups and community service projects.

Next article: Safety (or, return to the complete Table of Contents)