Founded in 1870 as the first Greek letter fraternity for women, Kappa Alpha Theta values its history and takes pride in its founders. The Omega chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta was founded in 1890, after three sorority sisters transferred from the University of the Pacific to U.C. Berkeley and petitioned for a charter. Kappa Alpha Theta is the first sorority to be established in U.C. Berkeley and continuously remain on the U.C. campus.
Like other chambers of commerce, this Berkeley organization seeks to advance the causes of the business community, particularly those of its member businesses. It supports Buy Local Berkeley and the Sustainable Business Alliance which encourage community-based, environmentally-responsible businesses reflecting local values.
The Ecology Center is dedicated to educating the public on strategies and methods of sustainable living. It is in charge of the Berkeley Farmers' Markets and the Farm Fresh Choice food justice program, as well as the residential curbside recycling program. It also runs Ecohouse, a home and garden in North Berkeley that holds workshops on how to make your living space carbon neutral and energy and water efficient. There is also a store on the premises that sells books, gardening supplies, natural fiber clothing, and nontoxic pest control products.
The Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza and transit area is a community center that was the subject of a major renovation process orchestrated by the Berkeley Downtown Business Association. It is a modernized transit station with sustainable, environmentally sound design, trees and gardens, ample seating and lighting, a bus shelter and secure access to trains. The plaza also features a "cafe zone" with local restaurants and shops.
This is the fraternity house for the Nu Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon. It has living space for frat members and have a large kitchen and club room. It also recently won the Fraternity of the Year award from U.C. Berkeley. In addition, it holds special events like parents dinners and letter writing campaigns for the local children's hospital. It was also the first chapter of the fraternity on the west coast.
The Berkeley Youth Alternative has been serving the community since 1971. This community-based organization offers programs and activities for children, youth and their families, promoting healthy living, education and crisis prevention. There is an after-school center for students and a teen center for at-risk youth. Berkeley Youth Alternative provides career development, sports and fitness activities, counseling and more.
In a time when people find spouses online but may not know the people living next door, the Hillside Club harkens back to an era when knowing and socializing with neighbors was just what people did. This club, Berkeley's oldest, is a place where neighbors can rediscover that sense of camaraderie with their community through potlucks, art shows, afternoon teas and frequent events for members. For those interested in learning more, every first Monday of the month the club holds fireside meetings featuring guest speakers and refreshments that offer a good way to get to know the club and its membership.
This building hosts many Finnish cultural and historical events. The owners rent the space at reasonable rates to local event planners. Its well-lit, roomy studios are large enough to accommodate groups, and are also appropriate for dancing or martial arts rehearsals. The building is located just north of University Avenue in Central Berkeley.
Located in a quaint house that is removed from the street, the Berkeley Piano Club has been in operation since its founding in 1893. Rich with both musical and non-musical history, the property the club is situated on was recently designated a Berkeley landmark. The internationally known club includes a private performance space and also operates as a place of study. It is available for rental and recitals.
One of the nation's most highly acclaimed research centers for East Asian Studies, IEAS is a focal point for interdisciplinary studies surrounding this area of the world. It organizes subunits focusing on Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Buddhist studies as well as programs for Eastern Asian languages and groups researching the best educational practices for teaching students about these cultures. It also sponsors social programs, special events and exhibits.
This is the Tau Chapter of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. It offers living quarters for members and a communal kitchen for everyone to use. The fraternity also has a leadership convention at a different location each year.
U.C. Berkeley students who are interested in joining should take part in rush week and get to know the individual members. Pi Lambda Phi is also renowned for being the first non-sectarian fraternity in the United States.
The Kala Art Gallery holds eight or more exhibitions each year for upcoming and established artists. It showcases all types of artistic media, including paintings, sculpture, video and print. It also runs the Kala Board Prize Exhibition, a special competition which selects proposals for new and experimental works each year. In addition, the Kala Art Gallery provides curatorial services for business and special interest groups on a case-by-case basis.
Mathematical Sciences Research Institute is one of the premier institutions for mathematical research, hosting more than 2,000 mathematicians and postdoctoral students from the U.S. and abroad. They work collaboratively on issues that affect economics, science, technology and national security. The institute also features educational programs and events for kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as events throughout the year for the general public.
The Center for Ecoliteracy is devoted to teaching sustainability to the next generation. They are perhaps most famous for their work promoting gardens in schools, nutrition in school lunches and ecological principles into curricula. They also provide books, seminars and teaching resources to schools.
Kala Art Institute offers traditional art classes as well as residency programs and fellowships that allow artists with fewer resources to continue to develop their art. It also hosts an artists-in-schools program where public school students throughout Alameda County get to work with artists at the institute in a variety of disciplines.
