Embedded Files
The Basic Needs Temporary Academic Adjustment Letter will alert university professors and instructors of the unique challenges facing housing insecure students and encourage them to adjust their classes to serve this group. Students experiencing housing insecurity report mental and physical health challenges that are associated with lower academic achievement (Crutchfield & Maguire, 2018). As housing insecurity encompasses such a wide range of experiences, each student's adjustments will be specific to their unique circumstances. If you have any remaining questions regarding Basic Needs Temporary Academic Adjustment Letters, please contact basicneedscenter@berkeley.edu.
Legal Considerations
Legal Considerations
Although no law requires that schools provide accommodations for students facing basic needs insecurity, we understand the impact this experience has on academic engagement and overall well-being. We hope that professors/instructors take our suggestions seriously.
Eligible Students
Eligible Students
Any students within the below groups who are experiencing extreme housing insecurity may qualify for an adjustment letter:
Undergraduate & graduate students (professional & academic):
Yes, international students are eligible.
Yes, undocumented students are eligible.
Yes, students with dependents (financially supporting children or other loved ones) are eligible.
Housing insecurity is a term that encompasses a wide range of experiences. At the Basic Needs Center, housing insecurity can encompass the following:
Being vehicularly housed
Couchsurfing
Commuting from distant places as far away as Stockton, Sacramento, Los Angeles to attend class
Crowded living situations (up to 7 people housed in a one-bedroom apartment)
Exploitative, predatory, and negligent landlords
Habitability issues (i.e., mold, lack of heat & water)
Housing scams
Safety concerns (i.e., domestic abuse)
Working 2 or more jobs to cover rent and other living expenses
Confidentiality
Confidentiality
The information collected to write Academic Adjustment Letters will only be seen by Basic Needs Center staff, and the specifics of a situation will not be shared with professors/instructors. Due to the sensitive nature of these situations, we ask that professors/instructors honor each student's right to confidentiality and to allow the student the choice of whether or not to disclose specific details about their circumstances.
FAQs for Professors and Instructors
Why is this important?
Please keep in mind that a student’s housing insecurity is often a non-linear and continuous struggle that may have been going on much longer than you were made aware of. These students may need more support in the classroom than other students who are not struggling to fulfill their basic needs. Due to the stigma surrounding housing insecurity and the high academic expectations placed on Cal students, basic needs insecure students may hesitate to let their instructors know the real extent that they are struggling with the course material. Faculty and instructors, please actively work to create a judgement-free and supportive learning environment where basic needs insecure students who may be behind on the material can feel comfortable asking questions and for the help that they need.
How are students evaluated?
Basic Needs Center clinical staff will meet individually with students to verify that they are facing extreme housing insecurity, and confirm that their current housing situation warrants a request for specific adjustment during this time. The Basic Needs Center will provide additional assessment and resources to support students with their housing.
How will I be notified?
You will receive an email from a member of our care team including the Letter of Adjustment. The student will be encouraged to reach out, discuss any missed assignments or class activities during this time, and coordinate their adjustments with you. Any appropriate adjustments, accommodations, or extensions that you are able to provide to the student would be greatly appreciated.
Am I required to provide academic adjustments to these students?
While we hope that you value access and honor the requested adjustments, you are not legally bound to fulfill them. For more information visit the Academic Accommodations Hub -> Accommodations & Supportive Measures -> Hardship Accommodations and please refer to this link within ‘Student Support’ - under "Basic Needs and Hardships":
What adjustments will need to be made?
The suggested adjustments for each student will be outlined in their individual letter. Below are some examples you can consider to support students’ academic success and suggest that decisions be made in consultation with you and the student.
Examples of time-limited accommodations include:
Extensions to assignment deadlines
Hybrid options for class attendance
Attending sessions live via Zoom
Watching recordings via course capture and providing written reflections to make up for missed classes
Option for independent assignments in lieu of group work
Option to schedule exams to fit students’ needs or complete exams through alternative means
Offer additional support for those struggling with understanding/learning the material.
How long are the Adjustment Letters valid?
The Basic Needs Center understands the impact housing insecurity has on students’ academic success and our goal is to provide support and resources to alleviate basic needs insecurity. We recognize this is a process and encourage ongoing communication between you and the student to ensure their academic success.
We intend to meet with each student frequently as we support them with their housing therefore, if you have any questions about a student’s continued need for adjustment, please contact basicneedscenter@berkeley.edu.
I still have questions, who can I talk to about this?
If you have additional questions about the Basic Needs Center’s Temporary Academic Academic Adjustment Letter, please contact basicneedscenter@berkeley.edu.
What if I have another student in my class who is facing basic needs insecurity?
Please direct students in need of support to visit the Basic Needs Center website and complete the Basic Needs Assistance Form. A member of our team will connect with them to provide the resources and support most relevant to their situation.
Where can I find out more about housing justice at UC Berkeley?
Please see our recent outreach on student housing insecurity for more information on the UC Berkeley student housing crisis. If you would like to learn more about our initiatives for students facing basic needs insecurity, and how you can support our efforts, please continue exploring this Housing Justice Hub site or submit a collaboration request here.
FAQs for Students
Accessing Support
Students interested in receiving support for housing insecurity and/or other basic needs concerns should fill out the Basic Needs Center Assistance Form. After completing the form, a member of our Care Team will schedule a meeting to provide support and resources related to housing and additionally determine eligibility for the Basic Needs Temporary Academic Adjustment. This resource is not intended to be an additional barrier, instead it is meant to increase understanding and support amongst faculty.
Although no law requires that schools provide accommodations for students facing housing insecurity, we understand the impact this experience has on academic engagement and overall well-being. We hope that professors and instructors honor our suggestions, since we cannot guarantee they will fulfill them.
If provided with a letter in support of academic adjustment, we will collect contact information for professors/instructors and inform them via email. From there, we encourage students to directly reach out to professors/instructors to discuss any missed assignments or class activities, and request needed adjustments.
Examples of accommodations may include the following and are dependent on your professor/instructor:
Extensions to Assignment Deadlines
Hybrid Options for Class Attendance
Attending sessions live via Zoom
Watching recordings via course capture and providing written reflections to make up for missed classes
Option for independent assignments in lieu of group work
Option to schedule exams to fit students’ needs or complete exams through alternative means
Additional Support
Disabled Students' Program (DSP) seeks to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to their academic programs at UC Berkeley. This is done by considering the impact students' disabilities have in the context of the learning environment and identifying barriers that students may encounter. DSP then determines accommodations that serve to remove or mitigate such barriers. If you would like to connect with DSP, please apply here.
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