Though California will not be a swing state in the presidential election this year, UC Berkeley employees have found their way into the race through campaign contributions, volunteer hours and the lending of their expertise as advisers, demonstrating strong support for the candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama.

According to public records filed with the Federal Election Commission, more than $150,000 was donated by UC Berkeley employees to Democratic candidates since the primary season began. This is in stark contrast to the approximate $3,500 donated to Republican candidates.

The numbers are not comprehensive because they include neither contributions made by those who listed their employer as anything other than UC Berkeley nor donations less than $200, which do not need to be disclosed according to federal campaign finance regulations.

"It's substantially more intensive that in the past election ... more people are giving money, more discussion at lunchtime, more discussion on policy," said Haas School of Business Professor Paul Gertler.

Many faculty members stressed that they try to not let their personal political views enter the workplace.

"I've been extraordinarily careful to separate my personal views from the workplace. I don't have bumper sticks, don't wear a pin, don't bring up the subject," said Lawrence Hall of Science Director Elizabeth Stage, who has donated the maximum $4,600 to the Obama campaign.

Several UC Berkeley professors have gone beyond donating their money by volunteering to travel on behalf of the campaign.

"It's the easiest sell I've ever made," said UC Berkeley School of Public Health professor Helen Halpin, who is on sabbatical this semester. In addition to travelling to Ohio, Pennsylvania and Nevada to volunteer for Obama, she also serves the campaign as a public health adviser. "(Republican Vice Presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin) says that dinosaurs lived 6,000 years ago. I think to most academics that is horrifying."

Some UC Berkeley professors say they were spurred to action on behalf of the Obama campaign because of their involvement in efforts to defeat Proposition 8, which seeks to amend the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

"Much of the local leadership for Obama has members of the LGBT community ... There is a lot of coordination," said Eric Stern, associate director of career services at Boalt Hall School of Law.

Stern, who donated to the Obama campaign, is now co-chair of Obama Pride, an affiliate that reaches out to LGBT voters.

The multi-faceted UC Berkeley support of Obama starkly contrasts with that of his opponent.

"Among the faculty, I haven't heard of any support for the (Sen. John) McCain campaign," Gertler said. "In years past there has been support for both parties."

But Berkeley College Republicans External Vice President Kim Wagner said she is not surprised by the level of enthusiasm for Obama.

Many UC Berkeley faculty said Obama's appeal among academics stems from his articulate and analytical style, which many national commentators have likened to that of college professors.

"He speaks in a style that is appealing to those who do that for a living," Gertler said. "It's the style that academics are used to."

Though UC Berkeley employees apparently favor Obama, university officials stress that the university does not take sides. By law, the university cannot directly contribute to any political candidates or political action committees.

"However, individuals employed by the university are permitted by law to make contributions using their own personal funds," said UC spokesperson Chris Harrington.

By donating, volunteering and advising the Obama campaign, UC Berkeley employees and faculty have inserted themselves into the political process.

"I made a promise to do whatever I could to get this man elected," Halpin said.

Deepti Arora of The Daily

Californian contributed to this report.

Tags: ELECTIONS 2008, NATIONAL ELECTIONS 2008, CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS