Let’s Reimagine the Rules

Welcome to the official chapter of the Student Policy Institute at Berkeley, where we challenge pressing social issues with the power of public policy

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Our Primary Pillars

Academics

Learn to analyze public policy on issues of personal interest through our Applied Policy Lab Decal

Journal

Explore our past publications, client deliverables, and initiative topics

Research

Conduct real-world policy research for public clients at varying levels of government

Recent Policy Memos

Housing Initiative, SP’ 26

Student housing shortages pose an increasingly urgent issue in the City of Berkeley due to rising costs, limited availability, and persistent habitability concerns. This report details the affordability and habitability conditions experienced by UC Berkeley students in both on-campus and off-campus housing. The primary objective of this initiative is to document and analyze current student housing conditions through data collection and research, and does not intend to serve as direct policy recommendations.

Transportation Initiative, SP’ 26

The purpose of this report is to characterize and explain the patterns of severe and fatal collisions on State Route 138 through an analysis of Caltrans data from 2020 to 2024, as well as qualitative testimony from community partners. The overall objective of our research is to support the Office of Assemblymember Carrillo in evaluating whether SR-138 meets the criteria for targeted state safety investments, enhanced enforcement strategies, infrastructure improvements, or formal designation as a Priority Safety Corridor.