Native American Theme Program (NATP): exploring the Native American experience at Cal
If you have a personal or academic interest in Native American culture, community, history, arts and politics, the new Native American Theme Program could be for you! A live-in Theme Program Assistant provides resources and support for residents’ social and academic needs. Through faculty, staff, and student interaction, our academic seminar promotes greater understanding of Native American experiences and culture through a political, historical, and contemporary context. Residents will learn about and discuss Native American culture, community, history, arts, and politics. We have fun; we gain leadership skills, understanding of each other, and form friendships that can last a lifetime.

Program requirements
NATP residents are expected to spend 2-4 hours a week engaged in Theme Program activities including:

• Enrollment in the fall NAS 98/198 seminar class
• For lower-division students, enrollment in NAS 20B in the spring is strongly encouraged
• Attendance at NATP meetings
• Active participation in Theme Program events

Seminar and events
The seminar is a 2-unit pass/no pass class that meets once a week in the residence hall during the evening. You can review a sample course syllabus to get an idea about the coursework and expectations. If you’re admitted to NATP, you will be given more information about how to enroll in the class.

Events include a wide variety of interaction with faculty and staff, as well as community activities including:

• Native American movie and discussion nights
• Native American Heritage Month
• Service learning and volunteerism with local Native American organizations such as Intertribal Friendship House and American Indian Health Center (both in Oakland)
• Participation in the annual UC Berkeley Pow Wow
• Recruitment and retention activities with NARRC and Bridges Multicultural Resource Center

The Living space
NATP residents live together in mini-suites in Slottman Hall, which is situated in Unit 1 (click on the 3D room views for more information). It’s about a 5-minute walk from campus, and there is a free nearby shuttle service to drive you around the center of campus.

Each room has high-speed internet connections and basic cable, and Unit 1 has laundry facilities, vending machines, and live-in staff. Most students have a roommate and take meals at Crossroads. Students also have access to a great Academic Services Center which offers tutoring, peer advising, copy and fax services, and computers and printers.

How to apply
Any Native American student, or person interested in Native American culture, community, history, arts, and politics is encouraged to apply. You must complete the UC Berkeley housing application by the deadline. On the online application Theme Program page, select NATP from the drop-down menu; at a prompt, you'll also be asked to write a short essay. The housing contract you receive will indicate if you have been selected to the Theme Program.

If you have additional questions that are not answered here, you can call 510/642-3213.