Our History
​Founded in 1927, and now approaching our 100th year, the University Section Club is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit and recognized UC Berkeley support organization. We serve the campus community through eighteen sections—from languages to tennis, birding to pickleball—that bring members together around shared interests. Our volunteer activities welcome and support students, international scholars and their families. Through dues, donations and fundraising, we provide emergency grants, financial support for student groups and programs, and two endowed scholarships.
The University Section Club evolved from the College Teas, founded in 1907 to foster friendships among UC faculty. When a 1927 fire destroyed Hearst Hall, the Teas used their small insurance settlement to establish a student loan fund. That same year, informal faculty wives' meetings were formalized into The Section Club with ten interest groups: Badminton, Walking, Homemaking, Foreign Languages, Bridge, Drama, Music and Philanthropy.
For over 50 years, both organizations coexisted as Section Club grew and the Teas dwindled. In 1984, they merged and became an official university support group, providing grants and support to deserving students and student-related groups.
The History of the
University Section Club
Our 90th Year Celebration
While we're already planning something spectacular for our 2027 Jubilee, let's pause to celebrate the amazing journey that brought us here. Join us as we revisit 90 years of passion, perseverance, and the remarkable people who built something truly special.
Intercampus Day 2022
Women Breaking Barriers
A Video Celebrating 150 Years of Women
Being Accepted to U.C. Berkeley
The University Section Club planned its 2022 Intercampus Day program to commemorate the 150th anniversary of women's admission to UC Berkeley. Due to COVID-19, the originally planned in-person panel was changed to a live video conference and shown in the fall of 2021.
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Video Development
The program committee researched key moments for women students and faculty over 150 years, using the campus website 150w.berkeley.edu as a primary resource. Through campus and alumnae contacts, they conducted interviews recorded by Sherry Rufini on iPhone and edited in iMovie. Rufini coordinated background music and inserted photos while journalist Linda Schacht '66 edited the script and recorded narration. Janet Martinelli developed the "Breaking Barriers" logo. Committee members provided feedback throughout the process.