Appointment Extension
Current affiliates who wish to extend their appointments must notify the Director at least four months before their official appointment end date. For more information on the process of requesting an extension, please contact the Director.
Course Auditing
Visiting scholars can audit (for no credit) 1 course at the law school per semester per instructor approval (non-law school courses are not available to audit). Visiting Scholars must e-mail the course instructor(s) asking for permission. Permission may or may not be granted depending on enrollment size and room capacity. Once obtaining approval from the instructor(s), Visiting Scholars can begin auditing the course and are eligible to join the bCourse, if applicable. Please note that these guidelines apply to Visiting Scholars only. All other auditing requests must be directed to registrar@law.berkeley.edu.
Early Departure
Current affiliates who wish to end their appointment early must notify the Director. UC Berkeley sponsored J-1 Exchange Visitors must notify the Director and the Berkeley International Office (BIO) if they plan to leave the U.S. more than 15 days before the end date on his/her DS-2019 document. Additionally, UC Berkeley sponsored J-1 Exchange Visitors must inform BIO (jscholar@berkeley.edu) if accompanying J-2 dependents’ final departure from the U.S. is prior to the J-1 holder’s departure date.
English Language
BIO has an expansive list of English language resources.
Family
Please note that family and friends of affiliates are not entitled to the same privileges that are given to visiting scholars and visiting student researchers. Spouses/partners and parents are encouraged to participate in the Berkeley Spouses, Partners & Parents Association (BSPPA). In addition, J-2 dependents may receive a work permit and are eligible for part-time or full-time study. To learn about childcare and school opportunities, please click here. There are also opportunities for families to engage in activities sponsored by the University Section Club and YWCA.
Housing
We are unable to provide housing nor do we provide assistance in obtaining housing for visitors. On-campus housing through the International House is very limited and most affiliates find housing off-campus. We recommend reviewing the housing guidance offered by the Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA) Office and BIO. KLS Associates property management group offers apartment and condo properties in the Berkeley area. For more information, contact Kathy Snowden Parman at (510) 459-3330. Oxford Property Management offers fully furnished short and long-term apartment rentals in Berkeley. Academic Housing Rentals provides co-living community and off-campus housing in Berkeley. Popular cities to live in include Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, and Walnut Creek.
Parking & Transportation
For information on how to get around Berkeley and the greater Bay Area, click here and here.
Recreation, Health, & Safety
Affiliates qualify for a discounted membership to the Recreational Sports Facility, among other benefits. University Health Services provides limited health care services. For your safety, please carefully read the tips presented by the UCPD.
Technology
CalNet Account: For support with your CalNet account, visit here. CalNet accounts, including the various services attached to it, will expire 30 days after an affiliates’ official appointment end date.
Computing: Desktop computers are not available for use by visiting scholars and visiting student researchers. Affiliates can bring their own electronic devices and connect to the University’s WiFi.
Printing, Copying, & Scanning: To use the Xerox machines in the law library, affiliates must add money to their Cal ID card. Affiliates can also use the Xerox machines at the other UC Berkeley libraries.
We can provide very limited technical support to affiliates. Questions should be directed to the Director.
VSPA Orientation
All affiliates are encouraged to attend the optional orientation hosted by the VSPA office.
Page last updated on May 29, 2022.