Press about I-House

International House UC Berkeley Announces New Board Leadership and Directors

July 24, 2025
Newly-added directors will serve for the 2025-2026 term
I-House Berkeley, the multicultural residential center promoting a more just and peaceful world, today announced leadership changes to its Board of Directors for the 2025–2026 term. The board welcomes Hon. Laurel D. Beeler, Rick Dishnica, Alex Mehran Jr., and Ron Silva as new and returning directors. Additionally, Dorothy Militar has been appointed Treasurer, succeeding Eugene Yano, who is retiring from the officer role but will remain on the board. UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons continues in his role as Honorary Chair, providing strategic counsel and support to the board and executive leadership.

UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons Appointed Honorary Chairman of the Board

March 6, 2025
In summary, Lyons to join Executive Director, Dr. Shaun Carver, in honoring advocates and trailblazers who embody the I-House mission during the organization’s annual gala, March 9, 2025

Free Speech and Expression at International House

December 4, 2024
Shaun R. Carver, I-House Executive Director
In summary -- the data reveals that I-House Berkeley fosters a supportive environment for free speech, with a significant majority of residents feeling safe and comfortable expressing their views, even on controversial topics. I-House students demonstrate a strong commitment to respectful dialogue and civil discourse in stark contrast to national trends. 88% of I-House Berkeley students feel safe expressing their views. 94% are comfortable sharing controversial opinions with fellow residents. 83% feel comfortable expressing their views to other UC Berkeley students. 82% are comfortable discussing their viewpoints with professors. 91% of I-House respondents trust their leaders to protect free speech. 62% believe I-House does more to safeguard free speech than UC Berkeley. 80% disagree with shouting down speakers. 92% oppose blocking students from attending events. 97% are against using violence to protest. 64% will speak up even when they feel uneasy. 60% admit to self-censoring in other campus environments. 85% express confidence in the future of free speech at I-House. 88% of Students at Berkeley I-House Feel Safe Expressing Views, Defying National Free Speech Trend on College Campuses

I-House Admissions Update

January 13, 2021
Roxanne Pifer
As a unique residential and dining facility with a prime location and rich tradition of leadership development experiences, the purpose of I-House is to foster a more just and peaceful world through intercultural understanding and mutual respect.To ensure that our residents and staff are as safe as possible in light of the pandemic, we are updating all cleaning and sanitizing standards to the highest levels; reimagining virtual and in-person resident programming; implementing new dining safety standards; and planning for an all single room environment for the Fall 2021 semester.

2021-2022 Academic Year Application Now Open

March 3, 2021
I-House Admissions
Applications are open now! Visit ihouse.berkeley.edu/apply to secure a housing contract for the upcoming school year. Still have questions about living at I-House or what we're doing to ensure safety during the pandemic? Please see Frequently Asked Questions.

International House, Cal’s Pillar of Diversity, Celebrates 90 Years

March 20, 2020
Julia Apffel - California Magazine
“People learn so much from one another in this building,” Giesecke says. “You have people who are in political science learning from the electrical engineers, and you have people in gender studies learning from people in chemistry. It goes across cultures; it goes across departments.”
https://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/spring-2020/international-house-…