Information Workshops
Our Information Workshops guide student facilitators in discovering the steps to create a Student-Facilitated Course, more commonly known as DeCal! By attending an Information Workshop, you will be able to strategize for the next steps of your DeCal proposal process and connect with fellow student facilitators!
Please note that attending an Information Workshop does not fulfill the Academic Senate mandated pedagogical training for first-time facilitators. For training offerings, please see our list of Training Workshops.
"Getting Started: The A to Z of Proposing a DeCal"
Develop your course vision in community with other student facilitators and learn the important deadlines, policies, and requirements of creating a DeCal!
Summer 2026
Register via this Google Form.
May Training Schedule: New dates will be added each month!
- There are no dates scheduled for this month. This workshop will return in the Fall!
- Note: If you are interested in attending a training workshop, check out our times below for our Facilitation Habits workshop.
Join the listserv to be notified of updates!
Questions? Contact slc-ucftr@berkeley.edu.
Training Workshops
Our Training Workshops equip student facilitators with the theoretical and practical foundation to improve their craft of peer facilitation. At a Training Workshop, you will be able to explore the pedagogy behind effective, student-centered facilitation and syllabus-creation. Not only that, you will be able to complete mandatory pedagogical training required by the Academic Senate if you are a first-time facilitator or further hone your facilitation skills if you are a veteran student facilitator!
Attend any one of our training workshops before the Course Proposal Form (CPF) deadline to complete the mandatory training requirement for first-time facilitators. The CPF deadline for Fall 2026 is July 14, 2026. The CPF deadline for Spring 2027 is mid-November 2026.
"Facilitation Habits That Enhance Student Learning"
Examine six common teaching behaviors that hinder student learning and explore facilitation habits that you can utilize to optimize student learning in your DeCal classroom!
Note: In preparation for this training, please register for your desired date, as well as complete the following by 9 AM of the day of your training: Sondra Napell's brief article "Teaching Tips: Six Common Non-Facilitating Teaching Behaviors," and its accompanying Facilitation Habits Reflection Activity on your own. Failure to complete and submit this reflection activity by the stated deadline means you will not be able to participate in training.
Summer 2026
See the dates and register via this Google Form.
July Training Schedule: New dates will be added each month!
- Wednesday, July 1 II 5-6PM II Zoom
- Tuesday, July 7 II 4-5PM II Zoom
- Thursday, July 9 II 3-4PM II Zoom
- Friday, July 10 II 3-4PM II Zoom
- Monday, July 13 II 2-3PM II Zoom
- Monday, July 13 II 4-5PM II Zoom (***Final workshop of the summer for the Academic Senate Fall deadline: July 14)
- There will be no further trainings for the remainder of the summer.
Join the listserv to be notified of updates! Note: You are encouraged to register, complete your reading preparation, and attend your training by your due date.
Questions? Contact slc-ucftr@berkeley.edu.
"Three Pillars of a Student-Centered Syllabus"
Discover three key characteristics of an impactful and effective student-centered syllabus—and the resources to help you embody these qualities in your own course "blueprint"! Facilitators at any stage of the syllabus-crafting process are welcome.
Note: In preparation for this training, please register for your desired date, as well as complete the following by 9 AM of the day of your training: Mano Singham's "Death to the Syllabus!"; Jill Lane's "The Two-Purpose Syllabus: A Blueprint for Faculty and Students"; and the Three Pillars Reflection Activity that accompanies these brief articles. Failure to complete and submit this reflection activity by the stated deadline means you will not be able to participate in training.
Fall 2026
See the dates and register via this Google Form.
September Training Schedule: New dates will be added in the new semester!
- There are no dates scheduled for this month. This workshop will return in the Fall!
- Note: If you are interested in attending a training workshop, check out our times above for our Facilitation Habits workshop.
Join the listserv to be notified of updates! Note: You are encouraged to register, complete your reading preparation, and attend your training by your due date.
Questions? Contact slc-ucftr@berkeley.edu.
Consultation & Drop-In Hours
For Student Facilitators
The UCFTR team offers consultations for students who are interested in creating or are currently facilitating a DeCal. During a consultation, you will be able to request guidance on the DeCal proposal process, seek feedback on your syllabi and other proposal materials, and discuss strategies for effective DeCal facilitation. Consultations do not fulfill the pedagogical training requirement. For training offerings, please see our Training Workshops section.
To schedule a 30-minute virtual appointment, visit our Calendly link.
Drop-In Days & Times:
Want to join us for Drop-In hours? See our schedule below:
- There are no Drop-in hours for Summer 2026. We encourage you to book a virtual appointment with us via the link above.
You are welcome to join us for a one-to-one conversation, or bring your facilitation team as a small group! No sign-up necessary.
For Faculty & Staff
Staff and faculty are invited to contact the UCFTR program at slc-ucftr@berkeley.edu with any questions or concerns regarding the DeCal proposal process or support for student facilitators in their department.
Classroom Observations
Classroom observations are available to student facilitators seeking support or feedback on their DeCal course facilitation! To learn more about this service or set up a classroom observation, please contact slc-ucftr@berkeley.edu.