The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has partnered with University Health Services (UHS) and the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) to present the Platinum Level Skin Smart Campus Award to the University of California, Berkeley. This award recognizes UC Berkeley’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of the campus community and providing a safe, healthy learning and living environment on and off campus. UC Berkeley pledges to keep indoor tanning devices off the campus and out of all affiliated buildings. In addition, promoting skin cancer prevention and UV safety education.
The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention awarded two free sunscreen dispensers to UC Berkeley, which are now located in the Golden Bear Cafe and the UHS Tang Center. The UHS Health Promotion Team has partnered with Broc Vargo, a Skin Smart Campus representative, to guide UC Berkeley in joining the movement and creating an educational web page with important information about skin cancer prevention. By encouraging positive behavioral change, the goal is to raise awareness of skin cancer and the risks of UV exposure.
Broc comes from a family with a history of melanoma, instilling in him a deep understanding of the importance of skin protection from a young age. Upon moving to California for university, he was taken aback by the number of peers who regularly exposed themselves to the sun on campus without any form of skin protection. Despite the prevalent use of sunscreen, Broc recognized the need for more proactive measures to encourage its usage among his fellow students. His advocacy journey began when he came across the Skin Smart Campus Campaign. Determined to enact change, Broc initiated efforts at UC Berkeley at the beginning of his sophomore year. Through persistent dedication, he collaborated with the UHS Health Promotion team to ensure Berkeley's compliance with the campaign's standards, ultimately achieving platinum status. Following the confirmation of UC Berkeley's eligibility for platinum status, Broc worked closely with the ASUC and UHS to secure the university's commitment to maintaining platinum status. As his junior year draws to a close, Broc proudly celebrates UC Berkeley's Skin Smart status and the installation of campus dispensers, providing his peers with easy access to skin protection.