Dear Cal alums, parents, and friends,
Sixty years ago yesterday, an alum was arrested for handing out political literature on Sproul Plaza. In response, thousands of students, led by student activist Mario Savio, surrounded the police car in peaceful protest — igniting the Free Speech Movement at UC Berkeley and a powerful wave of activism that swept across college campuses. Today, the right to free speech remains an essential and, at times, contested value both here and across the country.
The Free Speech Movement is inseparable from our identity and legacy. I see it every time I walk across Sproul Plaza, where students gather to advocate for the causes they believe in. I see it in our classrooms, libraries, and research centers, where the right to freely investigate and express the broadest range of ideas is inherent to academic freedom. I see it in a variety of programs, classes, and other efforts to bridge divides on campus and nurture dialogue that counteracts polarizing forces. I see it every time scholars from around the world visit us to share their knowledge, without restraint or restriction.
The 60th anniversary arrives at a pivotal moment. Berkeley, like many universities, experienced divisive protests last year that deeply affected the campus and community. More are sure to come. Together, we must confront the inherent tension between free speech and a strong, supportive community in which everyone feels like they belong. One’s right to free expression must also respect others’ rights to hold opposing views and to pursue their academic goals. We must remain committed to civil dialogue; diversity of perspective; and a safe, inclusive campus.
I invite you to explore a new website that captures our efforts to safeguard free speech for all and to support the constructive collision of ideas.
Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons
Chancellor's Choice
Watch: “College GameDay” — For the first time ever, ESPN's wildly popular pregame show will be broadcast live from campus on Saturday, Oct. 5 beginning at 6 a.m. PT before the Bears host the undefeated Miami Hurricanes at Memorial Stadium that night.
Read: Alumni Virtual Book Club — Connect with fellow alums to read and discuss a book together. The next selection starts on Oct. 11 with Solito: A Memoir, a bestseller written by alum Javier Zamora ’12 that recounts his land crossing — as an unaccompanied 9-year-old — from El Salvador to the United States. Join the online club.
See: Everybody — Written by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs–Jenkins, this contemporary and comedic riff on a 15th-century morality play follows "Everybody" on a journey to meet "God." As they search for someone or something to accompany them, they ponder the meaning of life. A student performance running Nov. 7–10 at Zellerbach Playhouse. Tickets are $10–$20.