Inclusion

We are committed to creating an environment welcoming of all students where everyone can fulfill their potential for learning. To do so, we intend to support a diversity of perspectives and experiences and respect each others' identities and backgrounds (including race/ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, socioeconomic class, sexual orientation, language, religion, ability, etc.). To help accomplish this:

• If you feel like your performance in the class is being impacted by a lack of inclusion, please contact the instructors, an academic advisor, or the departmental Faculty Equity Advisor. An anonymous feedback form is also available here.
• If you feel like your performance in the class is being impacted by your experiences outside of class (e.g., family matters, current events), please don't hesitate to come and talk with the instructor(s) or academic advisors in Engineering Student Services. We want to be a resource for you.
• There is no tolerance for sexual harassment or violence. If your behavior harms another person in this class, you may be removed from the class or the University either temporarily or permanently.
• If you have a name and/or pronouns that differ from your legal name, designate a preferred name for use in the classroom here.
• As a participant in this class, recognize that you can be proactive about making other students feel included and respected.
• Remember the Berkeley honor code, which everyone is expected to adhere to: "As a member of the UC Berkeley community, I act with honesty, integrity, and respect for others."

Don't be afraid to ask for help!

Are you struggling? Please come talk with us! The earlier we learn about your struggles, the more likely it is that we can help you. Waiting until right before an exam or the last few weeks of the semester to let us know about your problems is not an effective strategy - the later it is, the less we will be able to help you.

Even if you are convinced that you are the only person in the class who is struggling, please overcome any feelings of embarrassment or guilt, and come ask for help as soon as you need it - we can almost guarantee you're not the only person who feels this way. Don't hesitate to ask us for help - we really do care that you thrive!

Advice

The following tips are offered based on experience.

Attend lectures! Go to discussion section! Do the homework! Discussion sections and homework are designed to reinforce the important concepts introduced in lecture. Each of these course components serves an important role in the learning process, and ignoring any one piece can undermine the foundation on which your understanding will be built.

Come to office hours! We love to talk to you and do a deep dive to help you understand the material better.

Form study groups! You are encouraged to form small groups (two to four people) to work together on homework and on understanding the class material on a regular basis. In addition to being fun, this can save you a lot of time by generating ideas quickly and preventing you from getting hung up on some point or other. Of course, it is your responsibility to ensure that you contribute actively to the group; passive listening will likely not help you much. Also recall the caveat above, that you must write up your solutions on your own. We strongly advise you to spend some time on your own thinking about each problem before you meet with your study partners; this way, you will be in a position to compare ideas with your partners, and it will get you in practice for the exams. Make sure you work through all problems yourself, and that your final write-up is your own. Some groups try to split up the problems ("you do Problem 1, I'll do Problem 2, then we'll swap notes"); not only is this a violation of our collaboration policies, it also ensures you will learn a lot less from this course.

Other Resources

For academic performance: The Center for Access to Engineering Excellence or CAEE (227 Bechtel Engineering Center) is an inclusive center that offers study spaces, nutritious snacks, and tutoring in courses for Berkeley engineers and other majors across campus. The Center also offers a wide range of professional development, leadership, and wellness programs, and loans iclickers, laptops, and professional attire for interviews.

For disability accommodations: The Disabled Student's Program (DSP 260 Cesar Chavez Student Center #4250; 510-642-0518) serves students with disabilities of all kinds, including temporary disabilities. Services are individually designed and based on the specific needs of each student as identified by DSP's Specialists. If you have already been approved for accommodations through DSP, please know that DSP is ready to quickly adjust your accommodations if your situation changes.

For mental wellbeing: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is available as part of University Health Services (the Tang Center). Services are offered at many locations, including on-site in the College of Engineering. CAPS services are available to all students, regardless of insurance, and initial visits do not cost anything. CAPS has expanded allowing students to receive help immediately with same-day counseling (510-642-9494), online resources, and a 24/7 counseling line at (855) 817-5667. Short-term help is also available from the Alameda County Crisis hotline: 800-309-2131. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing an emergency that puts their health at risk, please call 911.

For recovery from sexual harassment or sexual assault: The Care Line or the PATH to Care Center (510-643-2005) is a 24/7, confidential, free, campus-based resource for urgent support around sexual assault, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, stalking, and invasion of sexual privacy. The Care Line will connect you with a confidential advocate for trauma-informed crisis support including time-sensitive information, securing urgent safety resources, and accompaniment to medical care or reporting.

For solving a dispute: The Ombudsperson for Students (102 Sproul Hall; 642-5754) provides a confidential service for students in need of a neutral party to resolve University-related disputes (academic or administrative). The Ombudsman can provide information on policies and procedures affecting students, facilitate students' contact with services able to assist in resolving the problem, and assist students in complaints concerning improper application of University policies or procedures. All matters referred to this office are held in strict confidence.

For basic needs (food, shelter, etc): The Basic Needs Center provides housing, food, transportation support, among other support needed to thrive at UC Berkeley. Specifically, the UC Berkeley Food Pantry (#68 Martin Luther King Student Union) aims to reduce food insecurity among students, especially the lack of nutritious food. Students can visit the pantry as many times as they need and take as much as they need while being mindful that it is a shared resource. The pantry operates on a self-assessed need basis; there are no eligibility requirements. The pantry is not for students and staff who need supplemental snacking food, but rather, core food support.