Impact Stories

At first glance, it may seem like a strange sustainability initiative to increase the size of waste bins in the student dorms at UC Berkeley, but a successful pilot program has recently proven otherwise. 

We’re “gonna soak up the sun…” No. We aren’t singing a remake of a popular summer song. 

In FY21, we learned the true meaning of the word partnership.

Moving is one of the most stressful and anxiety-inducing tasks as a college student. Each year, thousands of UC Berkeley students lease unfurnished apartments and houses, furnish them, and then find themselves questioning what to do with the furniture when moving out.

FY20 was a time of change. Student groups, campus departments and university initiatives directed their focus to supporting opportunities of impact and change that would positively affect our campus, our culture and the world.

Plastic can be found in a majority of items individuals use daily. From snack bags and wrappers, to bottled beverages, straws and to-go containers. 

Now, imagine trying to change the reliance on plastic at a college campus. That’s exactly what Nicole Haynes set out to do.

UC Berkeley has been heavily advocating for healthy food and beverage choices for all members of the campus community, made evident by University Health Service’s Food and Beverage Choices Policy.

The University of California Partnership Programs (UC Partnership Programs) and MetLife Auto & Home®, one of the nation’s leading personal lines insurance groups, today announced a multicampus program that provides personal auto, homeowners and renters insurance products to faculty, staff, alumni and students at the Berkeley, Davis and San Diego campuses.

Every year in August, thousands of incoming students arrive at the UC Berkeley campus, excited for new adventures, friendships and learnings. For these new students, Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) is the weeklong welcome experience that makes this possible and introduces students to the campus. 

This year’s GBO will be special.

Students of the Womxn of Color Collective at Berkeley Law had an opportunity to speak their truths and tell their stories during their annual night of monologues this year. The two-day event, “Our Monologues,” provided women at the school an opportunity to have their voices heard. 

Students in Krystal Thomas’ Product, Branding and Entertainment class at the Haas School of Business are getting a chance to apply their skills to help companies with their real-world case studies.

What started as a push for free tampons and pads has now grown into a student-led group that manages distribution of free menstrual products to the UC Berkeley campus community.