Psychology Department
We have been in discussions with Dr. Melissa Bayne who was Veda’s Berlin Study Abroad Summer 2024 psychology professor, to help expand psychological support for queer undergrads through training for graduate student instructors (GSIs).

She contacted department leadership (the Chair and one of the Vice-Chairs) and was pleased to learn that they have added a module on identifying and supporting students in distress to the required GSI training curriculum. They also connected the GSIs to campus mental health resources with the intention of making warm referrals.

This is great progress and we are very pleased to hear that our suggestions were incorporated so quickly. As a next step, Dr. Bayne has asked them to suggest that the module be added to the GSI training curriculum of other departments.

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UC Berkeley Queer House - New Initiative & Renovation
We wished to have a housing option to serve Cal’s queer community. Sunny Lee, Associate Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students, worked tirelessly with her department to identify a house that could serve this purpose. After a long search, one was deemed appropriate and we had the opportunity to tour the Derby House in the Summer of 2025. It is on a lovely street close to campus and will house 8 queer kids.

Long abandoned and boarded up, unfortunately it is in a state of disrepair. It is estimated that substantial funding will be required to renovate the house and bring it up to code. The transformed property would be a safe campus-owned residence and meeting space for queer students. There would be a psychology grad student or other trained individual who would also live there. 

While we cannot save Veda, this may help save others. We think Veda would have been proud of this important legacy.