Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley: New Students (Spring 2008)

Welcome to the school community of the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. In this packet we will provide you with information which you should find helpful as you prepare to begin your studies at JSTB.

This document includes informational pages as well as links to web pages. As you will note, some of these links are to information on the Jesuit School webpage, and some are links to the webpage of the Graduate Theological Union, the consortium in which the Jesuit School is a member. Many services are provided consortium-wide by the GTU, such as a common course schedule, registration and library.

We look forward to having you studying with us in Berkeley.

1. Getting Started in Berkeley
2. Registration
3. School Resources
4. Academic Policies
5. Other School Policies
6. Financial Aid Policy

1735 Le Roy Avenue
(between Le Conte and Virginia)
Berkeley, California 94709
Telephone: 1-510-549-5000

Campus Map of the Graduate Theological Union
Campus Map of UC Berkeley (PDF)
Map of Berkeley, California
Map of Berkeley, California (PDF)

Directions from Airport to Berkeley (PDF)

8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. If you arrive in town outside of school hours, you should go directly to your place of residence.

There will be an orientation of new students on Monday, January 28, at 1:00 p.m. This meeting is required for all new degree students. The school will provide lunch prior to the meeting at 12:00 noon.

Introductions to the School and Registration Information
Monday afternoon (January 28): All new degree students are required to attend these important introductions to the school, registration process, and academic programs.

Academic Advising Appointments
Most incoming students will receive the name of their advisor prior to arrival. Make an appointment to meet with your advisor as early as possible during registration week. Your advisor must release you to register.

Registration for Classes
Monday through Friday (January 28 through February 1). You will receive further information prior to registration. Registration Deadline: Friday, February 1, 5:00 p.m.

International Student Orientation Meetings
There will be special meetings for international students which will be scheduled during orientation week. More information will be available later. You may contact Paul Kircher, our International Student Advisor, should you have any questions about your non-immigrant status, your visa, or other concerns you may have as a visitor to the United States: or (510) 549-5029.

Students will receive a detailed explanation of registration procedures during the afternoon meeting on Monday of Orientation Week. At that time, students will also receive access codes to the online registration system.

Dates for Spring 2008 Registrations:
Monday, January 28 through Friday, February 1.

Registration Information, basic (PDF)
Registration Information, extended (PDF)
Registration Dates (PDF)

Advising: Advisor assignments will be made available prior to registration. By Monday or early Tuesday of orientation week, students should schedule appointments with assigned academic advisors for Tuesday and Wednesday, prior to registering.

Even though you will not be registering until Orientation/Registration week, following are links to the Searchable Course Schedule and Registration Information pages on the GTU website.

A 2007-2008 school year calendar for JSTB and the Graduate Theological Union is enclosed. It includes the dates for orientation week, the beginning and ending of each semester, school breaks, holidays and the dates of the January Intersession.
Academic Calendar (PDF)

Tuition and Fees (PDF)
Student Expense Budget (PDF)

Health Insurance Plan for Students (HIPS): Students registering for nine units or more are required to have health insurance. Upon registration, students must show proof of insurance. The Jesuit School of Theology, in cooperation with the GTU, provides an extensive health package for those students who are registering for six or more units. Click here for more information regarding the Health Insurance Plan. You will receive more information in your student mailbox at the beginning of the semester.

Note: JSTB health insurance applications must be turned in every semester. The duration of the insurance is for one (1) year only and billed in two installments.

Those of you who need help in finding housing should contact Bobbie Beard at , or (510) 549-5000. Members of religious communities with housing in Berkeley should contact the superior of their community. We would appreciate it if you could inform our receptionist of your local address, telephone number, and email address once you arrive.

Each student will have a mailbox that is used for campus mail, flyers, etc. At the beginning of the school year, we will be filling your box with informational materials about the school, including a course list and a packet from the Office of the Dean of Students. This student box is for materials from the school, only. Please make arrangements for your personal mail to be sent to your residence. JSTB will not accept personal mail for students addressed to the school.

Recreation Facilities at UC Berkeley

ACADEMICS

Academic Dean
Kevin Burke, S.J.
510-549-5012

Assistant Academic Dean (& Registration)
Lorna Wallace McKeown
510-549-5014

Assistant to the Dean (for appointments with Dean)
Maria dePedraza
510-549-5012

ACADEMIC ADVISOR: Assigned prior to General Registration.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT: VISA STATUS AND ORIENTATION MATTERS

International Student Advisor
Paul Kircher
510-549-5029

ADMISSIONS

Director of Admissions
Patricia Abracia
800-824-0122 or 510-549-5016

Administrative Assistant
Grace Hogan, O.P.
510-549-5013

STUDENT SERVICES, FORMATION, SPIRITUAL LIFE

Dean of Students
Jill Marshall
510-549-5017

Director of Formation Programs
George Murphy, S.J.
510-549-5018

Director of Sabbatical Programs
Bruce Lescher
510-549-5055

HOUSING

JSTB Housing Information
Bobbie Beard
510-549-5000

HEALTH INSURANCE, PRE-PAYMENT OF TUITION AND FEES, FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

Director of Financial & Business Services
Lan Tran
510-549-5050

Accounting Clerk
Mary Pettner
510-549-5049

STUDENT LOANS

GTU Director of Financial Aid
Carlos Perez
510-649-2469

GTU, Financial Aid Office
2465 Le Conte, Berkeley