Membership FAQs
Get answers to your questions about Cal Alumni Association membership. Don’t see your question here? Email us at info@alumni.berkeley.edu or give us a call toll-free at 888.CAL.ALUM.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my membership?
Please contact our staff in the Cal Alumni Association's Membership office. You can email us info@alumni.berkeley.edu, call us toll-free at 888.CAL.ALUM (888.225.2586) or direct at 510.900.8210, or visit us at Alumni House on campus.
What are the office hours for the Membership office?
We are available via email Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We are available via phone or in person at Alumni House on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We are available via phone or in person at Alumni House on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Who can join the Cal Alumni Association?
Everyone is welcome to join the Cal Alumni Association. Our annual and life memberships are open to the general public.
Learn more about the variety of CAA membership types.
Learn more about the variety of CAA membership types.
I would like to become a member. What's the best way to join?
There are several ways to become a CAA member. Choose the method that works best for you:
Online: See our different rates and membership types and check out securely online.
By Phone: Sign up over the phone by calling us toll-free at 888.CAL.ALUM (888.225.2586) or direct at 510.900.8210 during our regular business hours.
By Mail: Mail a check payable to Cal Alumni Association (CAA) to:
Cal Alumni Association
Attn: Membership
1 Alumni House
Berkeley, CA 94720-7520
By Fax: Fax your membership payment with your credit/debit card to 510.642.6252.
In Person: Visit Alumni House during our regular business hours, and have your membership card and kit issued on the spot.
Online: See our different rates and membership types and check out securely online.
By Phone: Sign up over the phone by calling us toll-free at 888.CAL.ALUM (888.225.2586) or direct at 510.900.8210 during our regular business hours.
By Mail: Mail a check payable to Cal Alumni Association (CAA) to:
Cal Alumni Association
Attn: Membership
1 Alumni House
Berkeley, CA 94720-7520
By Fax: Fax your membership payment with your credit/debit card to 510.642.6252.
In Person: Visit Alumni House during our regular business hours, and have your membership card and kit issued on the spot.
Where can I find information about my CAA membership benefits?
CAA membership includes many valuable and exclusive benefits, such as library privileges at each UC campus, a subscription to California magazine, discounted products and services, and many more. Learn more about CAA member benefits.
How do I update my contact information?
You can update your address, phone number, and email by using our Update Your Contact Info form, or call us toll-free at 888.CAL.ALUM (888.225.2586).
I need to show proof of my membership, but I don’t have my card. Can I get an electronic copy? How do I get a replacement membership card?
If you have misplaced your membership card, or you did not receive a card after joining or renewing your membership, we are happy to replace your card free of charge. Please email us at info@alumni.berkeley.edu or call us toll-free at 888.CAL.ALUM (888.225.2586) or call our office directly at 510.900.8210. You can receive your membership card via email as soon as we receive and respond to your request. If you would like a physical copy of your card, please let us know your preferred mailing address and we will send your card when we next print and send membership cards. You may also come by our office at Alumni House during regular business hours, and we will issue you a new card on the spot.
How can I find out the status of my membership?
If you would like to check on your membership status, or determine the remaining balance on your life membership pledge, you may email us at info@alumni.berkeley.edu, call us in the Membership office at 510.900.8210 or toll-free at 888.CAL.ALUM (888.225.2586).
How are my membership dues used?
Your membership dues support important CAA programs such as scholarships, student programs, alumni events, and the award-winning California magazine. Learn more about why membership matters.
Do I have borrowing privileges at campus libraries?
CAA members can obtain a library card and check out books from all campus libraries (excluding the Berkeley Law Library). Members can check out up to 20 books at one time, and can use UC Library Search to search the library catalogs.
How do I get a UC library card?
In order to obtain a library card, you will need your membership card and a valid California ID (or proof of residence). For UC Berkeley libraries, you can be issued the library card at the privileges desk in the Doe Library. For other UC campuses, please visit the library website for the campus you wish to access to determine where their library privileges desk is located.
Do I have remote access to the library’s electronic resources?
Unfortunately, remote access to the library’s electronic resources is limited to current UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff. Remote access for alumni, CAA members, and the general public is not included in the contracts that the library has with its electronic resource vendors. The library does have public computers dedicated to research, so if you would like to access the electronic resources, you may do so at the library.
Do CAA members have access to Handshake and other Career Center services?
CAA members do not gain access to services provided by the Career Center. Alumni who are within five years of graduation can continue to utilize most Career Center services at no cost. For more information, please visit the Career Center website.
Alumni of all class years can join the Berkeley Career Network or the Cal alumni LinkedIn group.
Alumni of all class years can join the Berkeley Career Network or the Cal alumni LinkedIn group.
Who should I contact if I have a question about insurance plans for Cal alumni?
CAA has a partnership with Association Member Benefits Advisors that offers insurance plans to Cal alumni.
Learn more about health, life, and dental insurance plans provided by Association Member Benefits Advisors, or contact them by phone at 1.888.560.ALUM (2586) and state that you are a Cal alum.
Learn more about health, life, and dental insurance plans provided by Association Member Benefits Advisors, or contact them by phone at 1.888.560.ALUM (2586) and state that you are a Cal alum.
Why haven’t I received my copy of California magazine?
The most common reason alumni do not receive their California magazine is because we do not have a correct address in our database. If you have moved and would like to update your address, you can use our Update Your Contact Info form, or you can call us toll-free at 888.CAL.ALUM (888.225.2586).
If you are an annual member or are on a payment plan toward a Life membership, be sure to check that your membership has not lapsed, as the magazine is only sent to current CAA members. If you are unsure of your membership status, you may contact our office.
Another reason you may not be receiving your magazine is that an exclusionary code may have been placed on your record if you previously requested that you no longer wanted to receive physical mail from CAA or the university. If you wish to update your mail preferences, please contact our office, and we will ensure that you remain on the mailing list.
If you are an annual member or are on a payment plan toward a Life membership, be sure to check that your membership has not lapsed, as the magazine is only sent to current CAA members. If you are unsure of your membership status, you may contact our office.
Another reason you may not be receiving your magazine is that an exclusionary code may have been placed on your record if you previously requested that you no longer wanted to receive physical mail from CAA or the university. If you wish to update your mail preferences, please contact our office, and we will ensure that you remain on the mailing list.
How can I get in touch with another alum?
To search for an alum, you can utilize the @cal Alumni Network. All UC Berkeley graduates can create a profile on @cal, and you can use the search function in order to find other individuals’ profiles.
CAA also offers a mail forwarding service for alumni for whom we have a physical address. Please contact our office beforehand to ensure that we do have a current address for the alum you wish to contact. To take advantage of the mail forwarding service, once we have confirmed that we have an address for the individual on record, please complete the following steps:
1. Place whatever correspondence you would like to send in a sealed, stamped envelope and write the name and class year of the alum where you would normally address a letter.
2. Write your name and address in the upper left hand corner of the envelope. (This is very important. If the mail is returned for whatever reason, it goes back to you). Place the sealed envelope in a different envelope and send it to us at the address below:
Cal Alumni Association
Attn: Mail Forwarding
1 Alumni House
Berkeley, CA 94720-7520
3. Once we receive your letter, we will fill in the address and mail it for you.
We offer a similar service for email forwarding. If the alum you wish to contact has an email on record, we can contact them on your behalf, and communicate your message to them. As with the mail forwarding, please contact our office beforehand to ensure we have an email address on file for the alum you wish to contact.
CAA also offers a mail forwarding service for alumni for whom we have a physical address. Please contact our office beforehand to ensure that we do have a current address for the alum you wish to contact. To take advantage of the mail forwarding service, once we have confirmed that we have an address for the individual on record, please complete the following steps:
1. Place whatever correspondence you would like to send in a sealed, stamped envelope and write the name and class year of the alum where you would normally address a letter.
2. Write your name and address in the upper left hand corner of the envelope. (This is very important. If the mail is returned for whatever reason, it goes back to you). Place the sealed envelope in a different envelope and send it to us at the address below:
Cal Alumni Association
Attn: Mail Forwarding
1 Alumni House
Berkeley, CA 94720-7520
3. Once we receive your letter, we will fill in the address and mail it for you.
We offer a similar service for email forwarding. If the alum you wish to contact has an email on record, we can contact them on your behalf, and communicate your message to them. As with the mail forwarding, please contact our office beforehand to ensure we have an email address on file for the alum you wish to contact.
I am receiving unwanted mail/email. How can I be removed from your mailing lists?
You can communicate your mail preferences by emailing us at info@alumni.berkeley.edu, or by calling us toll free at 888.CAL.ALUM (888.225.2586). Once we process your request to be removed from a mailing list, you may still receive materials for up to four to six weeks, as distribution lists are often pulled far in advance.
What is the difference between my Life membership and the Golden Bears Life Membership?
The Golden Bears Life Membership is a way for those who are already Life Members to show their continued support of CAA and the university. Those who are already Life members will continue to receive every benefit CAA has to offer. The Golden Bears Life Membership is a one-time, tax-deductible donation of $400 that is also counted toward your university giving total. Golden Bears Life Members receive a special membership card, a Golden Bears lapel pin, and their name is published in California magazine. All membership dues go to supporting vital programs for Cal students and alumni.
Learn how to become a Golden Bears Life Member.
Learn how to become a Golden Bears Life Member.
Are membership dues tax-deductible?
Our annual membership and our Life membership are not tax-deductible, as there is a cash value associated with our member benefits. The Golden Bears Life Membership is a tax-deductible donation, and also counts toward your university giving total.
Learn more about the Golden Bears Life Membership.
Learn more about the Golden Bears Life Membership.
Can my partner and I have a joint membership?
CAA memberships are only issued on an individual basis. While there are a select few benefits that can also be used by the member’s immediate family, the majority of our benefits are only available to the individual with the CAA membership. If you or your partner is a Life member, we offer a special, discounted rate for the other partner to join as a Life member.
Learn more about our Spouse Life Membership.
Learn more about our Spouse Life Membership.
I donate to the university—does that make me a CAA member?
CAA membership is a separate program, independent of donations made to the university. Membership dues are not tax-deductible because of the cash value associated with the benefits offered to CAA members.
