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Dear Students, Staff and Faculty, I am writing to provide today’s update on air quality conditions, as well as news about decisions regarding campus operations, classes and plans for tomorrow’s Big Game. Even as we confront our own, local challenges, the news coming out of those areas most affected by the still-burning fires is increasingly sad and sobering. With every passing day, the extent of loss and suffering grows. Hundreds of our fellow Californians remain unaccounted for. Tens of thousands of lives have been upended. I know that we are joined together in sorrow, and on behalf of our community I offer condolences and support for our friends and neighbors who are dealing with an unfolding tragedy of enormous proportions. Today’s air quality index (AQI) in Berkeley is once again in excess of 200, the point at which conditions are described as “very unhealthy.” As a result, all of tomorrow’s classes have been cancelled, and the campus will remain essentially closed except for those operations that must continue. If you are a member of staff and are uncertain if you need to report to work, please contact your supervisor directly. I would also like to express my and the campus’s appreciation for the staff who have come to work to provide services essential to the campus. The Tang Center will continue distributing and fitting N-95 respirators on Saturday from 11am-3pm to those students with medical conditions that may make them particularly susceptible to the impact of degraded air quality. The Tang Center will also be open for normal Urgent Care hours on Saturday, 9:30am - 5pm and Sunday, 11am-3pm for students with urgent medical needs. At the same time, experts say that the best choice in these conditions is to remain indoors to the extent possible. We also know that the combination of foul air and tragic developments across our state is affecting many of us emotionally and psychologically. We urge those who require support to seek the services they need. A good starting place is here, on the “Recalibrate” website. In this context, and after further consultation with our medical and environmental experts, Athletic Director Jim Knowlton and I have decided that we must postpone the Big Game due to concerns for the health and well-being of student-athletes, staff, the band and student groups, and fans. While our initial intention was to wait until Saturday to make a final decision, forecasts for the weekend are indicating that AQI levels are unlikely to sufficiently improve by Saturday afternoon. Cal has been in close contact with officials at Stanford and the Pac-12 and we appreciate their support and understanding. Fortunately, we are able to reschedule the Big Game for Saturday, Dec. 1 at California Memorial Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for noon, all tickets for tomorrow will be honored, and the game will be televised on the Pac-12 Network. On a related note, the student members of the Rally Committee have decided to cancel tonight’s Big Game Rally. Knowing how hard these students have worked to make this event possible, I have nothing but respect and appreciation for what was an appropriate, if hard, decision. Cal Performances has also announced that tonight’s scheduled dance performance is cancelled. We recommend that everyone check appropriate websites for updated information about scheduled cultural and academic events. Looking ahead, the forecasts for next week remain uncertain. While there are some indications that a change in the prevailing winds could lead to air quality improvement, that is far from certain. So, we will wait until Sunday afternoon to decide about the status of classes scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. That decision will once again be based on reliable data, the best possible forecasts, and the guidance we receive from campus medical and environmental experts. We will also continue to adhere to guidelines that require us to consider class cancellations when the AQI exceeds, or is expected to exceed, 200. Since a decision to cancel some or all of the remaining classes before the holiday will have serious consequences for completion of the semester’s work, I have asked members of my administration to think about how we would accommodate that possibility. We will update the the campus on Sunday afternoon regarding decisions about Monday's class schedule and plans for campus operations. Please do what you can and must to care for yourself, your friends and your loved ones during what are very trying times. I am honored and humbled to be a part of a community that is strong, resilient and so deeply compassionate. Sincerely, Carol T. Christ
Chancellor
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