October 2020
November Calendar

See all the different ways you can be well this month! Our calendar is filled with many NEW, free, and virtual events!

Highlight: Wellness Spaces for Election Support via Wellness Circles and Virtual Let's Talk Consultations.
Bears Protect Bears

Wearing masks, social distancing, and washing hands frequently - it's a new normal. But we do it to protect each other. Bears Protect Bears because Bears Care.

The new normal can be stressful. See our resources for coping with COVID-19.
Fueling your Body

Nutrition Outreach Worker Alexander Gomez talks about what life is like as a student now - the struggles, the Zoom classes, and how he's been managing it all. In the NOW Team's latest blog post, he discusses fueling his body and taking care of himself.
Election Support
Ahead of the most divisive election in a decade, an American Psychological Association survey found that more than 68% of US adults say that the 2020 US presidential election is a significant source of stress in their life. Our counseling team is here to help.

  • Self-care and resiliency tips
  • Schedule for Wellness Circles for Election Support
  • Schedule for Virtual Let's Talk Consultations for Election Support
Halloween & Thanksgiving Health & Safety Reminders
Halloween 2020 Guide because we must celebrate differently this year.

  • Stay strong. Social distancing works. Pandemic fatigue is real but that doesn't mean it's ok to throw the rules out the window. Continue to practice physical distancing, avoid parties and other large gatherings.
  • Stick to your bubble. If you do attend in-person events, gather only with your "bubble" or household grouping.
  • Don't drink and drive. If you or your friends choose to drink alcohol, drink responsibly, and please do it with your household grouping only. And, remember, do not drink and drive!
  • Don't leave your face covering at home. Halloween was made for masks. If you are out of your household grouping, please wear your face covering in public and with your costume.
  • Only yes means yes. Remember that! Remember that someone who is incapacitated due to alcohol or other drugs can NOT consent to sexual activity. Costumes, flirting, or silence do NOT imply consent - only yes means yes. If you need support, Path to Care is here to help. Contact the 24/7 Care Line at (510) 643-2005.
  • Help is just a call away. Use the emergency "blue light" telephone stations around campus to notify UCPD that assistance is needed.
  • For emergencies: call 911 or UCPD at (510) 642-333.
  • For non-emergencies on campus, dial UCPD at (510) 642-6760.
  • You are not alone. Anxiety or simply being alone in your residence, on a holiday weekend can lead to an increase in alcohol and drug use. If you need help, contact our Social Services team to make an appointment or find a local resource.

This year's Halloween will look different but that's the way it must be to keep our families, friends, and community safe. Thank you for doing your part.

Thanksgiving Holiday Travel - What you need to know
  • Make smart, safe choices when it comes to traveling. For those of you living on or near campus, we strongly recommend that you consider remaining in Berkeley for the Thanksgiving holiday, or returning home and remaining there through the end of the semester.
  • If you currently live and plan to stay in Berkeley...
  • On campus - Cal Dining and Res Life staff are hard at work planning meals and programming to help you celebrate.
  • Off campus - Find new unique ways to celebrate and make new traditions.
  • If you live on campus or group housing and are planning to travel, do not travel unless your most recent COVID-19 surveillance results are negative. When you return you are expected to resume biweekly testing immediately upon arrival. You must self-sequester for the first 7 days after your return and until your first two test.
  • If you live off campus and are planning to travel, we strongly encourage you to continue surveillance testing once per week and not travel unless your last test before Thanksgiving is negative. When returning to campus, you are strongly recommended to test upon arrival and self sequester for the first 10 days after you return and until at leas tone test.

We know this is a lot to think about! We're here to help. Regardless of your plans for the holiday, we're here to help give guidance to make safe, smart decisions. Make travel plans based on what works best for you and your family. Stay safe and healthy Bears! We're thankful for each and every one of you!
Badge System
A new color-coded badge system has been added to the eTang portal home page. It can help remind those who are doing either required or recommended regular COVID-19 surveillance testing. The tool tracks appointments, the time between appointments, and will signal a color based on if you are current with testing.

You'll notice it will say "Your Quarantine Status" when you login to eTang. Although it is called "Quarantine Status," it's a system for tracking COVID-19 testing appointments. Any student, faculty, or staff can see their current status and i's a useful and important tool for those who are on campus, either living, studying or working. 
Sexpress Safer Sex Supplies Delivery 
This service has been extremely popular so we're including it again ICYMI. The SHEP team is delivering safer sex supplies to students on campus. Order a Sexpress kit (external condoms, lube, & info on how to correctly use the condoms) and a SHEP student will meet up with you to deliver the supplies.
Health Tip Live
The Health Workers are back with a large variety of topics for Health Tip Live throughout the month! Health Tip Lives are free, virtual, and made for Berkeley students by Berkeley students.

  • Suck or Sweet? Game Days 2020. Thursday, November 5, 5:30-6pm

  • Imposter Syndrome: Why the Root Cause Matters. Thursday, November 12, 6-6:30

  • Energy & Positivity: Small Adjustments for Good Changes. Tuesday, November 17, 5:30-6pm

  • Navigating Intergenerational Conversations. Wednesday, November 18, 8-9pm.
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Happy Cal-o-ween!