The I-House Connection: May 2021

May 13, 2021

Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director

Dear I-House Alumni and Friends,

Shaun Carver, I-House Executive Director In this edition of the I-House Connection — on the cusp of the last day of finals and Commencement weekend — I am reminded of the new beginnings and enduring challenges not only for the worthy graduates, but for our I-House community. I’m pleased to convey that we are optimistic about the reopening of the House in August, and wish to share Roxanne Pifer’s update on admissions and the room and board Scholarships application process. In these fraught times, I am also gratified that our Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership is offering a diversity, equity, and inclusion workshop series, with a special discount for alumni members of our global community. The final Big Give results are in, and I’d like to thank all of you who participated once again. I’d also like to encourage all of you to join our global community platform, I-House Berkeley Connect, if you haven’t already done so.

Finally, I’d like to share that on April 30, University of California President Michael Drake and the chancellors of all 10 UC campuses sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security urging them to take immediate action to allow international students and scholars to travel to higher education institutions in the United States for the fall 2021 semester. On May 5, the State Department responded to President Drake's letter, affirming that international students are a priority for the department. The letter cited the department's National Interest Exception policies for international students and stated that the department "is reviewing all possible options" to issue visas to qualified applicants, including international students.

Go Bears, and congratulations Graduates!

Sincerely,

Shaun Carver, I-House Executive Director
Shaun R. Carver
Executive Director
International House, UC Berkeley

I-House Admissions & Scholarships Update

Roxanne Pifer, Director of Admissions and Housing Operations

We are currently accepting Scholarship applications for Fall 2021 and Academic Year 2021-22. The purpose of the I-House Scholarship program is to offer UC Berkeley students who demonstrate financial need an opportunity to experience, firsthand, cultures from all over the world while enabling international students to learn about the ethnic and economic diversity in the United States as I-House residents. Due to the donations of many generous alumni and friends to International House, partial room and board scholarships may be provided to help deserving students reside at International House. Residents must have a valid housing contract to be eligible.

We still have rooms available for Fall 2021 and Academic Year 2021-22. We have double rooms available for undergraduate students, and single rooms available for graduate students & visiting scholars. Our housing contracts include an outstanding meal plan, interactive resident programming, and prime location to campus. Apply for housing nowFor any questions or concerns, please email financialaid@ihouseberkeley.org.

Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workshop Series

Global DEI in Action: Skills for a Culture of Belonging
May 25 - June 3, 2021

The Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership (CIL) is facilitating their 2nd Global DEI in Action Workshop Series, starting May 25th. If you missed the chance to join the previous series, now is your chance!

Global DEI in Action: Skills for a Culture of Belonging is a 4-part workshop series that will equip you with skills to address key DEI challenges and create a culture of belonging on your team or organization.

I-House alumni will receive a 10% discount. Register and use coupon code IHOUSE. Take advantage of early-bird rates and register before May 18th. For questions about the program, email cil@berkeley.edu. We hope to see you on the 25th!

Big Thanks for I-House Big Give Support!

The results and final tabulations are in from campus, and we wish to take this opportunity to thank all of the generous supporters who participated in Big Give this year! This year’s Big Give served as a kick-off to our reopening commemoration in the Fall and we are delighted to share that through the support of the I-House alumni and friends who contributed to Big Give, we raised a record level of donations of over $93,000 in support of our reopening efforts. We especially wish to thank the donors who stepped up to offer matching challenge gifts:

I House Board Challenge - provided a dollar-for-dollar match for the first $10,000 raised;
I-House Alumni Challenge - provided a match for gifts from our International Community; and the
Nancy Tivol I-House Challenge - provided a match for gifts from previous Big Give supporters and participants.

Click here to see a message of thanks from Executive Director Shaun Carver.

Through the support of our alumni and friends, we look forward to opening our doors in the Fall and encourage you to continue to share with us who opened doors for you - whether at I-House, UC Berkeley, or beyond.

Let's hear it for I-House community members who are graduating!

Give Cal graduates a virtual Golden Bear hug!
It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

Take a selfie or video congratulating your special Cal grad or the Class of 2021 for their extraordinary accomplishments. Get the whole family involved — and get creative!
Post it on social media with the hashtags #ihouseberkeley and #CalGrad.
Like and share other #ihouseberkeley and#CalGrad posts.

Thank you for reminding our graduates that the Cal family is proud of them!

Stay Connected!

We thank you for staying connected to I-House during our temporary closure. We encourage participation in our online Global Community, where you can:

Browse the Alumni Directory and connect with I-House friends;
Post or browse the job board;
Share an upcoming event;
Offer mentoring or find a mentor;
List your business or passion project in the Business Hub;
Read Shaun Carver's Friday posts to stay in the know!

We appreciate your participation! Please share our community by inviting I-House friends who aren't members yet. If you need some assistance or have any questions, just let us know!

Sincerely,

I-House Alumni Relations, Communications, and Philanthropy Team
(510) 642-4128
ihalumni@berkeley.edu

Topics

Executive Director Message topic page, I-House Connection topic page