Description
The Global Environment Theme House (GETH): Championing a Greener Way of Life
The Global Environment Theme House provides a small community experience within the larger University and attracts students who are committed to protecting the environment. GETH residents, also known as GETHies, will learn about green living and giving back to our environment, grow as leaders, and develop friendships. A theme program assistant provides resources and support for residents’ social and academic needs. In addition, the theme program assistant helps to guide GETHies through the GETH seminar. Discussion topics include sustainability, pollution, advocacy for animals and environment, environmental and social justice, global climate, gentrification, and urban planning and development.
GETH values the experience and passion of students. GETHies are challenged and empowered to create their own mark by developing their own programming and projects.
Program Requirements
GETH residents are expected to spend 2–4 hours a week engaged and actively participating in theme program activities, including:
- A yearlong (fall and spring) seminar, City and Regional Planning 24: Global Environment Theme House. This is a 1-unit per semester, Pass/No Pass freshman seminar that meets once a week and is taught by City and Regional Planning faculty. The mandatory seminar will take place on Fridays 3:30-5:00pm. Topics for the seminar relate to environmental action and research on and around the Berkeley campus. If you’re admitted to GETH, you will be given more information about how to enroll in the class once the semester begins.
- Weekly GETH meeting/community-building time.
- Fall and Spring semester retreats.
- Self-driven community-service project or research.
Signature Events & Programming
Events include a wide variety of leadership and community-building activities, such as dinners with faculty, study groups, and excursions to sites of environmental change in the San Francisco Bay Area. Other field trips may include a tour of Strawberry Creek, hiking to Big C, and mountain climbing. GETHies are also asked to aid their theme program assistant in hosting a GETH open house, Earth week event, and CalDay activities. GETH participants are also highly encouraged to attend other theme program-sponsored events.
Living Space
GETH residents live together on the Clark Kerr Campus (CKC) which is situated below the beautiful Berkeley hills on the southeast end of campus. For more information about CKC, including amenities and features, academic services, transportation options, and more, please visit housing.berkeley.edu.
Contact
If you have additional questions that are not answered here, please email Residential Life at rsc-livinglearning@berkeley.edu.