Campus preps for young “workers”
Faculty and staff encouraged to sign up, volunteer for Take Our Children to Work Day

04 April 2001 | Coordinating a logistical nightmare of course times and locations. Repairing overhead projectors. Lecturing on quarks and pulsars. You know what you do all day. But do the children in your life?

Whether they are six or 16 years old, bringing children to work is a good way to share with them the university and your role in it. And on Thursday, April 26, the Berkeley campus offers the chance to do just that, during Take Our Children to Work Day.

“This event can help nourish our children, their aspirations, and their dreams, as they experience some of what a university has to offer, and it affirms our sense of an extended Cal community,” said Chancellor Berdahl.

Although individual departments participated in the past, 2001 is the second year the entire campus will be involved.

Children and other young family members of the university’s 12,700 faculty and staff members are invited to attend. As well, students from Willard Middle School in Berkeley have been invited to shadow the university employees.

A noontime celebration will take place at Memorial Glade, the grassy field facing Doe Library that is perfect for a picnic lunch. Complimentary hot dogs, tofu dogs and ice cream will be available for the children.

The day ‘s activities are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events may include:

• tours of the Information Systems & Technology computer labs in University Hall;

• mini-campus walking tours that spotlight the Eucalyptus Grove, Recreational Sports Facility, Sproul Plaza, Telegraph Avenue and Doe Library;

• story time for younger children, trips to the top of the Campanile, a petting zoo;

• staff presentations at various departments.

Nearly 30 Willard Middle School students involved in the Early Academic Outreach Program have been invited to shadow employees during Take Our Children to Work Day.

The campus visit is designed to encourage these first-generation college-bound students to consider higher education and professional careers as viable options. Employees should get their supervisor’s permission to participate.

Berdahl has authorized administrative leave for staff members who wish to participate. He urges managers to exercise maximum flexibility with personnel while maintaining core services.

Staff can use the Web site — www.urel.berkeley.edu/children — to register as a volunteer, list departments and job duties, and to indicate interest in participating.

For information, contact Doreen Moreno at dmoreno@uclink.berkeley.edu or call 643-6781.