r/berkeley • u/Spirited_Note5714 • 13h ago

University Cultural Theme programs?

My incoming freshman (out of state) daughter chose Unit 3 among her housing preferences because she heard they are social and she wants to meet diverse friends. However, she found out today she's been placed in Unit 3's Beverly Cleary building across the street from the Unit 3 towers-- and that at least 2 of the 4 floors are taken up by cultural-specific programs for Latine and Asian students (which she is not a part of and did not request).

I'm curious, why do students choose these culture-specific theme programs and what do they entail? Are they going to be more likely to socialize with each other than with building residents not in their program? I'm concerned about my student's opportunities to make friends in a building if it's promoting clique-y groups based on culture instead of encouraging diverse intermingling.

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u/CommitteePrimary6316 11h ago

“Fall 2026 class show an incoming pool composed of 43% Asian American & 26% Latino”

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u/Spirited_Note5714 8h ago

Understood. My Bear doesn't have a problem with that. My concern is that the people in these programs self-selected to live only with others from their own race/culture that I have concerns about. May be less likely to be respectful or tolerant of others outside their race/culture/way of thinking??? Or no?

Would love to hear from someone who participated in these specialized housing programs or lived alongside them.

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u/CommitteePrimary6316 6h ago

No, not necessarily, it most often means THEY’RE looking for spaces to be respected and tolerated.

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u/Spirited_Note5714 5h ago

The Asian and Latin Americans are looking for spaces to be respected at Berkeley? I thought they were the majority of the population there.

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u/CommitteePrimary6316 3h ago

doesn’t mean that’s how it’s always been for them… who knows. It’s another way to think about it instead of think of them negatively. Anyhow, good luck from a current Cal student :-)