The I-House Connection: January 2021

January 14, 2021

Dear I-House Alumni and Friends,

In this issue of the I-House Connection, I would like to invite you to share any comments, suggestions, or concerns as we work to reopen the House safely, which we hope and anticipate will be in Fall 2021. Please take a few moments to participate in the short Reopening Survey, linked below. The purpose of this survey is to request your feedback and thoughts as we plan for the reopening of I-House following our temporary closure due to the pandemic. Thank you for participating as we strive to keep the I-House dream alive.

Also in this issue is a message from Roxanne Pifer, Director of Admissions and Housing Operations, with the welcome and exciting news from the Chancellor and the UC President that the University of California is planning for a return to primarily in-person instruction systemwide in Fall 2021. Roxanne is calling on our alumni and friends to help spread the word that I-House anticipates welcoming new and returning residents in Fall 2021, with applications for admissions scheduled to open on February 15, 2021.

In parallel with advice from our alumni and friends, learning from the successes of my predecessors (and the challenges they all faced) continues to be among the most instructive aspects of my role as Executive Director. Continuing the tradition of capturing oral histories that date back to the founder of the I-House movement, Harry Edmunds, and with the first I-House Berkeley Executive Director, Allen Blaisdell, I am pleased to announce the release of a captivating interview of Martin Brennan, the fourth I-House Executive Director, who served from 2007-2012.  The UC Berkeley alum and former ambassador brought more than 30 years of international affairs experience to his leadership of I-House, where he initiated Navigating Cultures, the first for-credit UC class offered by I-House. Many thanks to Social Media Ambassador Chan’Cellore Makanjuola and to Ambassador Brennan for this special I-House Spotlight interview.

I welcome your comments and suggestions and wish to thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Shaun Carver signature
Shaun R. Carver
Executive Director
International House, UC Berkeley


I-House Alumni Reopening Survey

Throughout the incredible challenges we all faced last year, we're grateful that we were able to keep the I-House spirit alive and strong. During the pandemic, we’ve gone "virtual" with our events, and launched a new global community initiative and online platform to serve and connect the diaspora of I-House Berkeley alumni around the world.

Let's build on this momentum!

We invite you to take a brief survey to give feedback and to share your thoughts as we plan for the reopening of I-House following our temporary closure due to the pandemic. Your input is important to us. Thank you in advance!

Please click here to take the survey

The survey will be open through Friday, January 29.


I-House Admissions Update

Roxanne Pifer, Director of Admissions and Housing Operations

Dear I-House Community,

As International House welcomes 2021, we would like to provide an update to you all on the progress we are making during our temporary closure as we prepare to reopen for Fall 2021. We are excited by the Chancellor’s statement and the University of California President Michael Drake’s announcement in this message that the University of California is planning for a return to primarily in-person instruction systemwide in fall 2021.

Read more


I-House Executive Director Spotlight: Martin Brennan 

Martin Brennan Oral History Interview with Chan'Cellore Makanjuola

Former I-House Berkeley Executive Director Martin Brennan (IH 2007-2012) is featured in the latest oral history “spotlight” interview, where he shares memories from his time at the intercultural residence and lessons he learned during his leadership. This is another great interview produced by IH Social Media Ambassador and Filmmaker Chan'Cellore Makanjuola.

Read the accompanying blog post.

Listen to the audio podcast

Watch the video on the I-House YouTube channel

Watch interview with Martin Brennan, Former I-House Executive Director (IH 2007 - 2012)

I-House Spotlight: Martin Brennan, Former Executive Director

The interview is part of a series of “spotlights” where alumni and former executive directors are featured for an oral history discussion about their time at I-House. While the House will be closed for the 2020-2021 academic year, the oral history discussions are a way to help keep the alumni community connected virtually. If you would like to provide an interview or volunteer to help, please contact Laurie Ferris at lferris@berkeley.edu.



We thank you for staying connected to International House Berkeley. We welcome your participation in our online Global Community.

Sincerely,

I-House Alumni Relations, Communications, and Philanthropy Team
(510) 642-4128
ihalumni@berkeley.edu



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If you plan on supporting I-House during our annual appeal, please consider doing so online this year.

Click here to Donate Now


Thanks for your support!

The I-House Connection: January 2021

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