Village Residents Association (VRA)
The Village Residents Association (VRA) is an advocacy group representing students and families living within the University Village. VRA is managed by an elected, all-volunteer board. The VRA works with Residential and Student Service Programs (RSSP) and Graduate & Family Living as well as other community organizations and local government entities. The VRA’s stated purpose is to amplify residents’ voices, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed in decision-making processes.
The Village Residents Association holds monthly meetings to discuss issues of importance to residents and student families, funds community workshops and events, and communicates with the university to try to achieve family-friendly policies. All Village residents, including students, spouses, and partners, are invited to participate in the Village Residents Association by attending meetings, helping to plan events, joining committees, and speaking out on important issues in addition to making friends within your new community.
Please visit the Village Residents Association Website, follow them on Facebook, and email ucbvra@gmail.com for any questions.
University Village Community Garden
The University Village Community Garden provides an opportunity for Village residents interested in sustainable agriculture to grow their own organic produce. The garden is a place for UC Berkeley students and their families to build community bonds through action, education, and collaboration. In addition, the University Village Community Garden has long provided Village residents with a way to work together in growing nutritious food, beautiful flowers, and happy friendships. Be sure to learn more about, apply for, and/or volunteer your time to engage with the Community Garden today!
- Learn about the garden’s layout and programs:
- Formally join the gardening community:
- Contribute time without owning a plot:
UC Gill Tract Community Farm
The UC Gill Tract Community Farm is a collaborative community project between the UC Berkeley and the local community, focused on issues of food justice and urban farming. It is located at the north-east corner of the Village, at the intersection of San Pablo Ave and Marin Ave. It is an urban farm where you can come and harvest food for yourself and your family in exchange for help with weeding, planting, and watering; it aims to supply fresh organic food to anyone who lacks access to it in our East Bay communities. There are a number of volunteer-led community and family oriented events held as well, such as a meditation hour, herbal workshops and children’s art and nature activities. The farm differs from the community garden in that it works with representatives of UC Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources to manage a stewardship council that jointly governs the land as well as learn about, research, and address food needs in the East Bay region and beyond. It is one of the increasing number of urban agriculture and alternative sustainable food systems worldwide that exist to develop innovative local solutions to social, environmental and economic injustices. You are welcome to get involved at any level, whether that is joining a working group or the governance council, or simply coming to join them during their open hours.
Other UC Berkeley campus partnerships
UC Berkeley Basic Needs Center provides both short-term emergency relief and long-term support services addressing students’ basic needs including food, housing, and financial support.
The UC Berkeley Student Parents and Village Residents Community Group Facebook group provides a space for prospective student parents, current student parents, and village residents at Cal to share information and support each other.
The UC Berkeley Student Parent Center is committed to the holistic support and success of a highly motivated population of undergraduate and graduate students who are engaged scholars, as well as devoted parents at UC Berkeley.
University Health Services Social Services Counseling provides a variety of topical counseling services to UC Berkeley students, regardless of insurance.
UC Berkeley Recreation & Wellbeing gives UC Berkeley students and faculty the opportunity to explore a wide range of recreational activities. Whether it’s lifting weights at the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF), playing soccer on an intramural team, or swimming at Spieker Pool, there are activities for everyone.
UC Berkeley Student Learning Center provides resources across twelve knowledge disciplines.
When it comes to wellness, the Student Learning Center’s Campus Resource for Dimensions of Wellness identifies eight key domains that help students maintain balance as they move through their studies.