Dear Instructors,
We are hearing concerns about high temperatures in some classrooms this week. We write to remind you of the Guidance on Instructor Preparedness for Classroom Disruptions and Emergencies, which provides information on how to respond to a variety of potential classroom situations, including unsafe temperatures. See the section headed “In the event of extreme high or low temperatures in the classroom” for more information. Please note that a heat advisory is in place until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026.
All university employees who work outdoors or in environments with elevated indoor temperatures may be at risk for heat illness – the group of medical conditions caused by the body’s inability to cope with heat. It is important to take precautions and to be prepared for high heat conditions. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with information about Heat Illness Prevention and Response from the Office of Environment, Health & Safety.
If the classroom temperature seems too high or too low for safe teaching, but you’re not sure what the exact temperature is, please follow this guidance:
- If it is a general assignment classroom, call the Classroom Hotline at 510-642-2800 or Facilities Services at 510-642-1032. Please note that Facilities Services, EH&S, and the Classroom Team may not be able to immediately address or resolve the concern. Instructors should make whatever adjustments are necessary to prioritize your safety and that of your students, which could include measures such as moving class outside to a shaded area, taking water breaks, or pivoting to online instruction.
- If it is not a general assignment classroom, contact the unit that manages the space in which the class is being held. If you are not sure who manages the space, please check with your department or classroom scheduler.
- If there is a health or safety concern, notify the Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) of the room conditions by calling 510-642-3073, or email ehs@berkeley.edu. This applies to both general assignment classrooms and other classrooms.
Thank you for all that you are doing for our students and our campus. Please stay safe!
Sincerely,
Alicia Bihler
Executive Director, Office of Environment, Health & Safety
Lisa García Bedolla
Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate Division
Oliver O’Reilly
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Sarah Reed
University Registrar