2026–2027 Cabinet Elected Leaders!
After multiple long nights of running elections, we are pleased to introduce our full leadership team for the 2026–2027 academic year. We are so excited to see the amazing things this team will accomplish together this year. Below are the elected Cabinet leaders and their email addresses. Please take a moment to congratulate our leaders when you see them.
Zachary Brown (HiP), BSC President | president@bsc.coop
Maribella Smith (ROC), Vice President of Internal Affairs | vpia@bsc.coop
Jonathan Miller Estrada (ROC), Vice President of Capital and Finance | vpcf@bsc.coop
Elizabeth Alptraum (WIL), Vice President of Experience and Training | vpet@bsc.coop
Joaquín Jiménez (POC), Vice President of External Affairs | vpea@bsc.coop
Alex Ivanov (CZ), Non-Executive Cabinet Member | necm1@bsc.coop
Rosey Masutsubo (WOL), Non-Executive Cabinet Member | necm2@bsc.coop
Director of Cooperative Experience’s Corner
WRITTEN BY TIFFANI ALMANZA (Director of Cooperative Experience)
Hello BSC Members,
As we move into October, I want to take a moment to encourage everyone to prioritize your well-being, stay connected, and look out for one another. Balancing academics, employment, relationships, cooperative living, leadership responsibilities, and everyday life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Taking care of yourself can look different for everyone, it may mean attending a wellness workshop, getting some rest, checking in with someone you trust, asking for support, setting healthy boundaries, or simply recognizing when you need additional resources.
Community care is also an important part of cooperative living. Please continue checking in with one another, particularly when you notice that someone may be struggling or withdrawing from their usual activities. You are not expected to solve another person’s problems or serve as their counselor. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is listen, encourage someone to connect with appropriate support, or seek assistance when you are concerned about someone’s immediate safety. In an emergency or when someone may be in immediate danger, please contact 911 or the appropriate emergency service.
October includes World Mental Health Day on October 10, and it is a good opportunity for all of us to remember that mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health. UC Berkeley University Health Services (UHS) offers counseling, wellness programs, workshops, health education, and other resources throughout the semester. Below are several opportunities available during October.
Get Involved in Your Cooperative
Well-being also includes feeling connected to your community and knowing that your voice matters. The BSC is a member-run cooperative, and members have opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their houses, apartments, and the organization as a whole.
I encourage you to attend BSC Board meetings when you are available. Board meetings are an opportunity to learn more about issues being considered by the organization, hear different perspectives, understand how decisions are made, and see cooperative governance in action.
If there is something you believe should change, consider getting involved rather than assuming your voice will not make a difference. Talk with your Board Representative, participate in your unit meetings, learn about BSC committees, bring forward ideas and initiatives, and consider serving in an elected or appointed leadership position.
Be a member who takes action on the initiatives that matter to you. Cooperative governance works best when members participate thoughtfully, respectfully, and constructively. You do not need to have all the answers to become involved, you can start by attending a meeting, asking questions, learning about an issue, and working with others toward solutions.
UC Berkeley information:
UHS October 2026 Calendar
10/1: Exercise is Medicine On-Campus Month - Learn more
10/1: National Ergonomics Month - Learn more
10/1: Understanding Self and Others - Learn more
10/1-2: Nutrition Drop-In Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - More info
10/2: Disordered Eating Process and Skills Group - Learn more
10/5: SHEP Safer Sex Supply Weekly Tabling on Sproul, 11:30-1:30 pm
10/6: Pet Hugs at the 4th-floor entrance of Moffitt Library near Press Cafe, 12- 1 pm - More info
10/7: Food is Medicine Cooking Class, 3:30-6 pm - More info
10/7: Holistic Sleep Wellness Workshop, 3:30 PM via Zoom - Learn more
10/7: Free emergency contraceptive pickup at UHS, Rm 2029 (2nd floor, outside of Health Promotion), 1-2 pm
10/7:Managing Emotions Group Counseling starts - Learn more
10/8-9: Nutrition Drop-In Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - More info
10/9-10: Homecoming Weekend at UC Berkeley - Learn more
10/10: World Mental Health Day - View mental health resources
10/12: Ask a Physical Therapist at the RSF, 2:30-4:30 pm
10/12: Food is Medicine Cooking Class, 5:30-8 pm - More info
10/12: SHEP Safer Sex Supply Weekly Tabling on Sproul, 11:30-1:30 pm
10/14: Free Flu Shots at UHS provided by the City of Berkeley - Learn more
10/14: Free emergency contraceptive pickup at UHS, Rm 2029 (2nd floor, outside of Health Promotion), 1-2 pm
10/14: Career Planning: Surviving and Thriving at Cal - Learn more
10/14: Empowerment through Expression Workshop - Learn more
10/15: UHS Flu Shot Clinic from 9-11:30 am and 1-4 pm - Learn more
10/15-16:Nutrition Drop-In Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - More info
10/16: UHS Flu Shot Clinic from 9-11:30 am and 1-4 pm - Learn more
10/19: SHEP Safer Sex Supply Weekly Tabling on Sproul, 11:30-1:30 pm
10/20:Mindful Movement: Honoring the Body Through Stretch & Stillness - Learn more
10/21:Free emergency contraceptive pickup at UHS, Rm 2029 (2nd floor, outside of Health Promotion), 1-2 pm
10/21:Ask a Physical Therapist at the RSF, 2:30-4:30 pm
10/21:Holistic Sleep Wellness Workshop, 3:30 PM via Zoom - Learn more
10/22:Mindful Movement: Honoring the Body Through Stretch & Stillness - Learn more
10/22-23:Nutrition Drop-In Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - More info
10/26: SHEP Safer Sex Supply Weekly Tabling on Sproul, 11:30-1:30 pm
10/26:Healing Together: A Survivor's Circle - Learn more
10/27:Intro to Mindfulness and Meditation - Learn more
10/28:Free emergency contraceptive pickup at UHS, Rm 2029 (2nd floor, outside of Health Promotion), 1-2 pm
10/29-30:Nutrition Drop-In Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - More info
10/30: Free Rapid HIV Testing at UHS Health Promotion Dept (2nd floor), 12-3 pm
10/31: Happy Halloween! View Party Safe Toolkit
Party Safe at Berkeley
As we approach Halloween and other social events this month, please make safety part of your plans. If you choose to drink or use substances, harm-reduction practices can help reduce risk. Stay with people you trust, know what you are taking, avoid mixing substances when possible, and never leave someone alone if you believe they may be experiencing an overdose or other medical emergency.
Test it before you take it. UC Berkeley provides access to free Fentanyl Test Strips (FTS) on campus and additional alcohol and other drug resources.
Before you go out, consider saving these numbers in your phone:
Emergencies: (510) 642-3333 — UCPD campus-only emergencies
Berkeley Night Safety: Safewalk Escort (Dusk–2:30 am) & Door-to-Door Service (3–5:30 am): (510) 642-9255
UCPD non-emergency: (510) 642-6760
City of Berkeley Police non-emergency: (510) 981-5900
You can also review UC Berkeley’s Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) resources for additional harm-reduction information.
Try It Out: S.B.R.C.
You may not be able to eliminate stress, but you can choose how you respond to stressful situations in ways that better serve you.
One technique is S.B.R.C. — Stop, Breathe, Reflect, Choose.
Stop: Pause before immediately reacting.
Breathe: Take a few slow, intentional breaths.
Reflect: Consider what you are feeling, what you need, and what outcome you want.
Choose: Decide how you want to respond rather than allowing the stressful moment to make that decision for you.
The entire process can take approximately two minutes, but creating even a small amount of space between a stressful situation and your response can be helpful.
Take Care of Yourself & Each Other
Please take advantage of the resources available to you throughout October. Participate in your community, check in with one another, ask for support when you need it, and remember that you have a voice in the cooperative.
Whether you attend a wellness workshop, participate in your unit, attend a Board meeting, bring forward an initiative, or simply reach out to another member who may need support, these actions help strengthen our community.
Lastly, if you need to reach the Cooperative Experience Department, here is our contact information below (please save this in a safe place):
Tiffani Almanza, Director of Cooperative Experience, talmanza@bsc.coop, emergency phone number (510) 812-9384
Genevieve Mage, Mediation and Conduct Committee Liaison, mccl@bsc.coop (510) 250-3057
Victoria Fowler, Member Resources Coordinator, mrc@bsc.coop (510) 250-2418
Take care of yourselves and one another. Be well.
Cooperatively,
Tiffani
Two Jobs Left!
WRITTEN BY JAE MANN (Hiring Committee Chair)
BSC Hiring Website [hicom.bsc.coop]
You must be a BSC member in good standing with a signed contract to hold a BSC member job.
Unless stated otherwise, jobs are immediate hire and continue through the school year.
OPERATIONS
Operations Crew Member
- 10 hrs./wk.
- Assist the operations Team by completing various unit-level and central office improvement projects.
- Includes a diverse array of cleaning and improvement projects.
CFS
Delivery Coordinator
- 9 hrs./wk.
- Must be over 22 and have valid CA driver's license and clean driving record.
- Must be available for two 4.5-hour time blocks, Tuesday - Friday, 9:30 am-2:00 pm.
- Must be willing and able to lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs. repeatedly.
APPLY NOW!
You must have a housing contract to be considered for a BSC member job.
Already applied?
If you have already applied and are interested in another position, email me at hicom@bsc.coop and I will submit you. Please first check your application to make sure you filled out appropriate sections. If you applied for another semester, please fill out an updated availability form [google form] and email me letting me know you have.
New Applicants!
Please review these Tips for applicants before applying. Click this BSC Job Application link to fill out the google form.
Your form responses will be automatically sent to you, so you may edit applicable responses for subsequent applications. KEEP THIS EMAIL SO YOU CAN EDIT RESPONSES!!!
If you wish to submit a paper application, please email the Hiring Committee Chair (hicom@bsc.coop) or contact/visit Central Office. See "Apply" for additional details.
Introducing BSC Conduct Member Advisor Office Hours
WRITTEN BY JENNIFER VEGA DURAN (Conduct Member Advisor/BSC Conduct Committee)
Dear BSC Members,
We are excited to announce that the BSC Conduct Member Advisors are now offering office hours to support you with any conduct-related questions, concerns, or experiences. This includes any party to a case (complainants, respondents, witnesses), unit-level managers, and anyone else in their capacity as a member.
What are Conduct Member Advisor Office Hours?
Office hours are dedicated times when you can meet confidentially with a Conduct Member Advisor (CMA) to discuss BSC conduct policies, processes, and resources. Whether you have a question about the Conduct Code, need guidance on resolving a conflict, or want to explore options for addressing a conduct issue, our CMAs are here to help.
When and Where are Office Hours?
CMA office hours will be held via Google Meet at the following times starting next week, June 8th (Monday).
Office Hours Scheduling [google calendar]
Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:00AM-11:00AM PT with Jennifer Vega
If these times don't work for you, please email conductma1@bsc.coop to arrange an alternate meeting time.
What Can I Expect During Office Hours?
During your office hours appointment, you can expect:
- A safe, confidential space to share your concerns and ask questions
- Information about BSC conduct policies, processes, and member rights
- Guidance on resolving conflicts and addressing conduct issues
- Referrals to additional support resources (e.g., counseling, academic accommodations)
- Help understanding and navigating the conduct complaint process
Our CMAs are committed to providing trauma-informed, impartial support to all members. While they cannot guarantee specific outcomes, they will work with you to explore options and connect you with relevant resources.
Learn More about the BSC Conduct Committee
For more information about the BSC Conduct Committee 's role, processes, and resources, please see the BSC Conduct Committee Info Guide . There you can visit the BSC Community Support and Resource Guide, a selection of resources for those who may be going through conduct issues.
We look forward to supporting you during office hours. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Did you know?
Want to get Board, Cabinet and Committee Updates, Meeting Agendas, and Announcements?
Come join the Members At Large listserv if you are interested in learning about the discussions that take place at Board, Cabinet and Committee spaces and receive Board updates, agendas and announcements. Please follow this link to join or rejoin as the listserv was recently reset: [google group]
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CENTRAL OFFICE
2424 Ridge Road, Berkeley, CA 94709
(In front of Casa Zimbabwe)
Central Office: (510) 848-1936
Central Food & Supplies: (510) 549-5969
Central Maintenance: (510) 549-5965
Business Hours: Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM
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