daily californian logo

BERKELEY'S NEWS • JUNE 02, 2023

Apply to The Daily Californian!

ASUC Senate discusses data breach, pass/no pass grading policies

article image

WILLIAM WEBSTER | FILE

ASUC senators and executive officials discussed the UC-wide data breach. They also spoke of the decision made by the College of Letters and Science to carry its P/NP policy into the summer, and are working to have other colleges follow suit.

SUPPORT OUR NONPROFIT NEWSROOM

We're an independent student-run newspaper, and need your support to maintain our coverage.

APRIL 15, 2021

During the ASUC’s general meeting Wednesday, senators and executive officials discussed the data breach, pass/no pass, or P/NP, grading policies and campus fall plans.

During executive officer reports, ASUC President Victoria Vera discussed the UC-wide data breach and noted that the UC community can sign up for free credit monitoring and identity theft protection through Experian.

“Please make sure to protect yourselves,” Vera said during the meeting. “It’s very scary, but there’s ways to mitigate that.”

ASUC Senator Liam Will brought up concerns regarding the data breach and asked Vera if there would be any incoming funds to prevent attacks like this from happening in the future.

Vera said there would probably be action taken on a UC-wide level, but she will follow up with campus administration to see what UC Berkeley specifically will do.

James Weichert, chief of staff for the Academic Affairs Vice President, or AAVP, also noted that in a meeting with campus chief information officer Jenn Stringer, he learned that the data breach was based on how the UC Office of the President, or UCOP, handles insurance information. Weichert added that if a student is or has a dependent, they face the potential danger of their information being stolen.

As a result, UCOP is offering identity theft protection services not only to students but to student relatives as well, Weichert said.

Weichert also noted the decision made by the College of Letters and Science to carry its P/NP policy into the summer. The AAVP’s office will continue to push for these accommodations to extend to other colleges this summer.

“As we saw in the fall, once that first domino falls, every other college wants to be in line with the entire campus,” Weichert said during the meeting. “So hopefully that will result in an even application of accommodations across all colleges for the summer.”

Weichert added that while many students are planning on returning to campus this fall, it is important to remember that the challenges many have faced in the past year will persist next semester.

External Affairs Vice President Derek Imai noted his office’s project, Cal Move Out, a website created to help students move out in a “sustainable” and safe manner. In May, students will have the ability to recycle lightly used household items, according to its website.

The Senate then passed resolutions in support of the tenants at 1921 Walnut St. and a framework agreement for Graduate Assembly separation.

As the end of the school year approaches, several departments are interviewing or onboarding new staff for next year. The senate approved the nomination of Mina Han as chief legal officer, and nominated Ananya Narayanan as Elections Council chair and Oscar Bjorkman as chief technology officer.

Mela Seyoum is a student government reporter. Contact her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at @melaseyoum.
LAST UPDATED

APRIL 15, 2021


Related Articles

featured article
The UC Berkeley College of Letters and Science will extend the modified pass/no pass, or P/NP, policies in place for the 2020-21 academic year through summer 2021.
The UC Berkeley College of Letters and Science will extend the modified pass/no pass, or P/NP, policies in place for the 2020-21 academic year through summer 2021.
featured article
featured article
The ASUC Elections Council and Judicial Council certified some of the ASUC election results for the 2021-22 academic year during their respective meetings Monday. 
The ASUC Elections Council and Judicial Council certified some of the ASUC election results for the 2021-22 academic year during their respective meetings Monday. 
featured article
featured article
During a short ASUC general meeting Wednesday, ASUC officials and meeting attendees discussed hotel prices in the Berkeley area, plans for the fall semester and Graduate Assembly restructuring plans.
During a short ASUC general meeting Wednesday, ASUC officials and meeting attendees discussed hotel prices in the Berkeley area, plans for the fall semester and Graduate Assembly restructuring plans.
featured article