The Daily Californian

UC Berkeley Chancellor and Berkeley Mayor Jointly Stress The Importance of Good Conduct and Active Citizenship in the Larger Berkeley Community
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
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illustration/Evan Winchester

Welcome Cal students!

To those of you new to the campus, we are delighted that you have chosen to come to UC Berkeley and join the exceptional scholars, world-class researchers and uniquely talented individuals that make up our campus community.

Along with being students at UC Berkeley, you are also part of a vibrant and diverse broader community-the city of Berkeley.

Surrounding the campus are neighborhoods consisting of renters and homeowners, families and single professionals, students and seniors. All members of the unique community we share deserve to be treated with respect.

Please keep in mind, whether you live in campus housing, a co-op, a fraternity or sorority house, or a private house or apartment, that whenever you are out in the community you are representing UC Berkeley. Be proud to demonstrate the university's long-standing and traditions of public service and responsible citizenship.

The campus works closely with the city of Berkeley and local neighborhood associations to promote safe and orderly neighborhoods. We would like to share a few guidelines to being a responsible Berkeley resident.

Meet and be friendly with your neighbors. Introduce yourself and remember to always respect their needs and schedules.

At the same time, it is important that you make smart choices while you are here. Comply with all local ordinances and practices, especially those concerning noise and parties. Violating these ordinances can result in stiff penalties, including fines and campus sanctions.

Get involved. Join your neighborhood association, participate in local clean-up activities, and support the community's emergency preparedness and crime prevention efforts. A good place to start is the Cal Corps Public Service Center. Students can access their Web site at calcorps.berkeley.edu.

We encourage you take advantage of the many recreational, social and cultural amenities that Berkeley has to offer. This is a wonderful place to live and learn, which is surely one of the many reasons you have chosen to join our community.

Have a great year at UC Berkeley!

Tom Bates is the mayor of Berkeley. Robert J. Birgeneau is the chancellor of UC Berkeley. Reply to opinion@dailycal.org