Home

Club-Wide Events

Sponsored Services for Students & Scholars

The Centre

Schedule

Activity Sections

Newsletter

Officers

Membership

Volunteer Opportunites

Links

Fun, Friendship and Philanthropy

Welcome!

A warm welcome to the 85th year of the University Section Club, a non-profit support group founded in 1927. The year opens with a beautiful Fall Reception at the University House where you can sign up for membership in any of the seventeen Sections listed in the Bulletin. You will meet members of the University community in the Sections and find a great opportunity for learning, enjoyment, and friendship. In January a memorable Winter Dinner is held at International House. The Section Club’s annual fundraiser, The Beehive, takes place in February. The funds from this event and donations during the year provide support to deserving students with a medical or financial crisis, to student groups on campus, and to scholarships. The Chancellor is offering matching funds for scholarship donations through June 2012. This year there will be another fund raiser at the Masquers, a drama group in Point Richmond which offers all proceeds on Thursday evenings to non profits. In March an Intercampus Open House is to take place in Merced,  providing an interesting trip to UC’s newest campus.

Visiting scholars, international students, their spouses and children are invited to weekly get-togethers at The Centre, YWCA, Bancroft Way. Needed household items may be found at the Equipment Loan Center, Haste Street between Telegraph and Bowditch. Bldg. F. The International Scholars and Students Committee offers participants Thanksgiving Dinner, a Christmas Party, and a Chinese New Year’s Celebration.

My very best for an exciting, eventful year.

Melinda Buchanan, President

____________________________________________________

 

The University Section Club, Inc. is an organization whose members are affiliated with the Berkeley Campus of the University of California. 

Their mission is:

To provide service to the University Community.

To raise funds to aid deserving students, support student-related groups, and foster scholarship and international understanding.

To provide a social milieu for members to interact while sharing common interests in the various activity sections of the Club.

Funds are generated by means of annual dues, by donations from members and other interested individuals, and by a fundraising event each spring, the Beehive Luncheon.

___________________________________________________________________

Brief History

The University Section Club, a non-profit UC Berkeley support group, was founded in 1927.  Its goals have been twofold: first, to bring together members from both the faculty and administration in a variety of interest groups or "sections", and secondly, to offer practical and financial help to students on campus. On both levels, the Section Club generates what could be described as social cement, welcoming people from different departments who might otherwise never have the opportunity to become friends, and at the same time demonstrating to students that they are part of a larger caring Cal family. There are now about twenty sections, which range from foreign language groups, a writers' workshop, walking and bird watching, gourmet dinners, tennis to a very active music group and three large student service committees: SOS (Services Offered Students), Student Grants and the International Student & Scholar Committee.

Over the past 77 years, as the University has grown, the Section Club has adapted as the needs of students have changed. The three student service committees coordinate with campus institutions such as the Disabled Students' Program, Albany Village, The Tang Center, Student Life Advising and The Center for Transfer, Re-entry and Student Parents as well as International House. Members raise funds that can be dispersed through staff at these institutions as emergency grants to students facing sudden needs that "fall between the cracks" of conventional financial aid. Pilot projects have been funded for various student support programs such as a safe apartment for students in an abusive relationship, a mentoring program for disabled students anda hotline at the Tang Center for students over the Winter holidays. Many of these activities, having demonstrated their value, are then continued and expanded with University funding.

For many years, the International Student & Scholar Committee has worked closely with International House to provide services for international students and scholars. Members run The Centre, a weekly program at the University YWCA, to bring the spouses and children of international visitors together on Thursday mornings, and a biweekly Equipment Loan program on Wednesday afternoons. Section Club members have funded a yearly scholarship for a student resident at International House. In 2004-2005, the Club raised funds for a student's room and board which was matched by the UC Graduate Division with a tuition grant to provide a full year's scholarship at the University. The generous, energetic spirit of the Section Club continues in the 21st century and the Club welcomes the widest possible university community participation and support. Anyone interested in helping our services or wishing to be involved can email us at usectionclub@berkeley.edu for more information.

Joan Jenkins, Nancy Oldham, Audrey Richards, and Christa Shannon

______________________________________________________

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

New to the Section Club? A special sign-in table will be set up at the Fall Garden Reception to welcome you. For the answers to your questions about the Section Club or life in our community please contact us at usectionclub@berkeley.edu.  Put New Member in the subject line and include a phone number if you would like us to phone you. 

Geneviève Dreyfus and Christa Shannon

Top