UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

BERKELEY

DAVIS

IRVINE

LOS ANGELES

MERCED

RIVERSIDE

SAN DIEGO

SAN FRANCISCO

TASK FORCE ON UNDOCUMENTED MEMBERS OF THE ON-CAMPUS COMMUNITY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
COLLEGE OF LETTERS AND SCIENCE
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 94720

SANTA BARBARA

SANTA CRUZ

Division of Equity and Inclusion

October 2016
Dear Colleagues,
As we are sure you are aware, tensions are running high on our campus among our community of undocumented students and staff
allies. Besides being constantly subjected to the extreme anti-undocumented immigrant rhetoric in the media that is part of the
presidential campaign, our students have had to navigate a tense campus climate where publicly embracing their undocumented identity
has become more and more tenuous. Our Undocumented Student Program, for example, has seen a dramatic rise in students needing
emergency counseling. It has also seen a significant spike in the number of threatening and hateful messages they have received.
As the final days of the presidential election approach, each day seems to bring yet another confrontation between those emboldened by
intolerance, with students who have only recently found the courage to embrace an identity they had previously silenced. Several weeks
ago, for example, our students were subjected to a mean-spirited stunt organized by a conservative off-campus group that invited
Berkeley College Republicans to participate; just paces from Sather Gate, near the Berkeley Republican table, a few off-campus
individuals erected a mock version of Donald Trumps wall and then began chanting Build a wall! While we understand that such
demonstrations may be protected by the First Amendment, the intent to psychologically harm and frighten undocumented members of our
campus community was clear.
This is the reason why we are writing this letter to you. As staff and administrators who have gone through the UndocuAlly training, you
understand the many structural obstacles our undocumented students have had to overcome to become members of our campus
community. It is already hard enough for them to figure out how to pay for their tuition without any significant access to financial aid. It is
already difficult for students to raise their hand to engage in intellectual debate within courses where they may not know if faculty are
willing to suspend judgement and listen to the unique perspective their undocumented experience has produced. Right now, these
students need our support and attention. This is why we are asking you to help us.
We believe that this is the precise time at Berkeley where we must all engage in Mindfulness Practice with our undocumented students.
What does this entail? We are hoping that you will use some, if not all, of the following strategies to express your support of Berkeleys
undocumented student community.
The next time you see an undocumented student you recognize:
1. Encourage him or her to come into your office to chat and let you know how their day is going.
2. Ask how they are handling the political campaign. If they seem to be bothered by it, ask them if they have sought support at
CPS or the Undocumented Student Program. Offer to accompany theme there.
3. If they do not want to come in and chat, still say hello and make them feel valued and welcomed. A smile goes a long way,
especially if it comes from a staff or a faculty member.
4. If you know of cultural or social events they may enjoy, let them know about these.
5. Remind them that the reason they are here at Berkeley is because they are talented and have a special contribution to make.
6. Listen, if they seem to want to talk.
7. Just spend time with them and affirm their sense of frustration.
8. Post a message on social media in support of our undocumented student community.
Because we tend to get caught up in the drudgery of routine, most of us who are not facing the vulnerabilities that undocumented
students at Berkeley are facing often forget just what a psychologically intense place the UC Berkeley campus can be. Creating a positive
and invitational campus climate is the cumulative result of many acts of kindness. We invite you to offer your acts of kindness with our
undocumented students.
Thank you for your continued allyship and support!
The Undocumented Students Task Force
http://diversity.berkeley.edu/about/committees-boards/taskforce-undocumented-members-campus-community