UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ (Funding Gates)
Updated April 23, 2023
Email address for Chancellor Christ:
chancellor@berkeley.edu
Remember to make some changes & put this in your own voice! Also be sure to add your name at the end before sending.
Subject: Please build gates around Units 1-2-3
Dear Chancellor Christ,
I am writing to express my concern about the safety of students living in Units 1, 2, and 3 on the South Side of Berkeley. As a parent of a current UC Berkeley student, I am deeply worried about the recent incidents of intruders entering these units, putting our children at risk.
In the last few months alone, dangerous intruders have entered Units 1 and 2, terrifying and assaulting the students who live there. And an unregistered sex offender was arrested by UCPD after they caught him living under a stairwell in Unit 3.
This is not what we we expected as prospective Cal families. We were promised a whole series of safety measures and only later realized how few of these actually exist: two night shuttles, a door-to-door safety shuttle, Security Monitors in every dorm, dedicated UCPD officers for each dorm, and at least 60 UCPD officers. With the exception of a single night shuttle, none of these safety measures exist.
I urge you to take immediate action to ensure the safety of students by building security fences around Units 1, 2, and 3. The South Side of Berkeley is not safe. It’s where the deadly shootings occurred a few months ago, and it's crucial that we take measures to protect our children.
It's worth noting that the Regents are currently building a security fence around UC President Michael Drake’s house, which shows that they agree with us: fences are an effective way to keep people safe. If it's good enough for President Drake’s family, it's good enough for ours, too.
The Department of Student Affairs will soon be submitting a proposal to you regarding the installation of security fences around these units. I strongly urge you to approve this proposal. Safety must be a higher priority for UC Berkeley, and we need to know that above all, you are keeping our students safe.
As a parent, I hope you understand the urgency of this matter and will take the necessary steps to better protect the students we have entrusted to your care. I appreciate your attention to this matter and thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]