UC Berkeley accused of 'systemic racism' after banning white people from California community farm co-owned by the university on Saturdays

One of the most progressive and socially liberal schools in the country is cultivating controversy as it faces accusations of racism after it allegedly banned white residents from accessing a community farm on Saturdays.

Gill Tract Community Farm in nearby Albany has designated Saturdays exclusively for use by 'Black, Indigenous, and People of Color' (BIPOC) after a complaint was filed with the US Department of Education by the Mountain States Legal Foundation.

The move has been denounced by some as an example of 'systemic racism.'

Gill Tract Farm was established in 2013 through a partnership between UC-Berkeley and the local communities it serves as a site for urban farming research.

Part of the farm's ethos is to support the 'food justice' movement by cultivating crops for healthy meals.

UC-Berkeley is facing accusations of racism over allegations it has banned whites from a community farm

Gill Tract Farm has partnered with UC-Berkeley since 2013 - but the move banning whites has been slammed as “systemic racism.

Launched in 2013, the farm is a partnership between UC-Berkeley and the surrounding neighborhoods

William Trachman, general counsel for the Mountain States Legal Foundation has criticized the university's stance. 

'UC-Berkeley thinks that racial segregation is progressive now, but it's no different than segregation of the past,' said Trachman told the New York Post.

'Preventing Caucasians from accessing Berkeley's College of Natural Resources Farm on Saturdays is a clear violation of Title VI, which bars educational institutions from engaging in or allowing race discrimination,' Trachman said. 

Trachman is calling for a comprehensive investigation into all UC-Berkeley programs to address what he has described as 'systemic racism.' 

UC-Berkeley has said they were unaware of the discrimination complaint until being contacted by the media.  

'Saturdays are exclusively BIPOC. Exceptions have only been made for events that are BIPOC-centered and with plenty of advance notice and planning,' the 

'I trust you stand in solidarity with upholding boundaries around that safe and sacred space,' an email from a farm manager stated.

UC-Berkeley has said they were unaware of the discrimination complaint until being contacted by the media

This controversy emerges against the backdrop of legal challenges to race-conscious admissions policies and diversity programs in higher education institutions, with concerns raised about possible reverse discrimination

After being contacted about the allegations, a spokesperson for the university denied all knowledge of the farm's special Saturday policy.

'The Gill Tract's website and calendar make no mention whatsoever of any program or activity of the sort described in the complaint. Having said that, the university takes complaints like this extremely seriously and I can assure you that on Monday I will contact the appropriate people on campus in an effort to determine what the facts are,' UC-Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof. stated.

This controversy emerges against the backdrop of legal challenges to race-conscious admissions policies and diversity programs in higher education institutions, with concerns raised about possible reverse discrimination.

Recently, a federal discrimination complaint was filed against a Minnesota college scholarship exclusively available to black students, with similar claims targeting other race-based exclusionary programs at various institutions.  

Last June the US Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious or 'affirmative action' college admissions policies were unconstitutional and had to be shelved.

Programs that appear race-conscious showing greater 'diversity, equity and inclusion' through programs specifically created to advance opportunities for black students and other minorities have since come under legal scrutiny, amid complaints they in fact amount to reverse discrimination. 

DailyMail.com has reached out to the farm and UC Berkeley for a detailed explanation. 

Inflammatory rules for off-campus housing include 'White guests are not allowed in common spaces'

This not the first time far-left UC Berkeley has harvested controversy when it comes to race. 

In August 2022 an off-campus co-op for students at the university named the 'Person of Color Theme House' banned white guests from entering common areas of the house.

A list of house rules revealed how the occupants were told 'many POC moved here to be able to avoid white violence and presence, so respect their decision of avoidance if you bring white guests.' 

While the student house aims to have an 'inclusive' environment, the rules specifically state 'white guests are not allowed in common spaces.'

The accommodation, located close to Berkeley's campus, was a five-story, 30-room home that can house up to 56 students. The house is owned by a private landlord. 

But the 'rules' which were leaked on social media have caused outrage - with many people slamming the restrictions as 'racist' as others came forward and revealed their experience living in the co-op. 

Person of Color Theme House was established in 2015 to better serve and empower students of color within the Berkeley Student Cooperative system

A description of the house on the Berkeley Student Cooperative's website says it can hold up to 56 residents and 'exists to create a safe and welcoming space for its house members'

The house was set up as part of the Berkeley Student Cooperative, a program designed to bring affordable housing to students in California's Bay-area, and 'aims to provide housing to low-income, first generation, immigrant and marginalized students of color.'

According to the 'rules,' people that live there should 'avoid bringing parents/family members that express bigotry,' because 'Queer, Black, and Indigenous members should not have to avoid common spaces because of homophobic or racist parents/family members.'

Janet Gilmore, Senior Director of Strategic Communications at the University told DailyMail.com the house is 'not campus operated,' meaning 'it is not the role of the campus to comment.'

Gilmore also said the University does have it's own Theme Programs, but they have 'no such policies like the one alleged in the Reddit image,' and stated 'Cal Housing Theme Programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, consistent with UC and campus policy.' 

 'As this involves an off-campus non-affiliated landlord, the campus has no ability under the Code of Student Conduct to discipline the landlord.'