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Housing
Group living
Most students new to Berkeley opt for organized group living environments.

University Residence Halls (aka dorms) apply online (housing.berkeley.edu; 2610 Channing Way; 510/642-4108).

Theme Housing: African American, Asian Pacific American, Casa Magdelena Mora (Chicano/Latino), Women in Science and Engineering, Global Environment, and Unity House: Exploring Diverse Genders and Sexualities, apply online (housing.berkeley.edu/housing/residences; 2610 Channing Way; 510/642-3213).

Family Student Housing has apartments for students who are married or partnered—with or without children. Apply online (www.housing.berkeley.edu; 2610 Channing Way; apts@berkeley.edu; 510/642-4109).

University Village Apartments in Albany: Eligible students who are married (with or without children), and single parents (application: www.housing.berkeley.edu; universityvillage.berkeley.edu; 642-4109).

Manville Apartments and the Ida Jackson House for graduate and law students; apply online (housing.berkeley.edu; 2610 Channing Way; reshall@berkeley.edu; 510/642-4108).

Non University-operated housing
Casa (multi-ethnic residential program), see page 63 (greenlining.org/sections/view/casa; 2336 Piedmont Avenue; casa@greenlining.org; 510/540-1984).

Co-ops, The University Students’ Co-operative Association (usca.org; 2424 Ridge Road; housing@usca.org; 510/848-1936).

Fraternities and Sororities, see page 78 (greeks.berkeley.edu; 510/642-5171).

International House (I-House), (ihouse.berkeley.edu; 2299 Piedmont Avenue; ihres@berkeley.edu; 510/642-9470).

Telegraph Commons, a 120-bed, private dormitory exclusively for UC Berkeley students (www.telegraphcommons.com; 2490 Channing Way; georgeju8@aol.com; 415/668-7700).

Apartment and community living
There’s plenty of apartment housing in the surrounding Berkeley community, but you should plan to spend at least one to three weeks looking for a rental.

Cal Rentals offers housing resources and online rental listings (shared housing, vacant apartments and houses, and room/work exchanges) to the Cal community. Students can sign up online for listing access and charge the modest fee to their CARS account or a credit card. Cal Rentals also has advisers who can help you compare housing options and make wise choices. To get started, simply go the Cal Rentals website, or present your current Cal 1 Card (or your letter of admission plus a photo ID) at the Cal Rentals Office M-F, 8am-5pm (calrentals.berkeley.edu; 2610 Channing Way; homeinfo@berkeley.edu; 510/642-3642).

craigslist is a free online community service that lists Bay Area apartments and houses to rent and share (sfbay.craigslist.org).

More information about living in the University residence halls
You probably have a lot of questions, so here are a few tips.

When you receive your emailed contract offer for housing, it will include a link to the Terms and Conditions of living in the residence halls. Once you accept your contract (online) and submit your advance payment, you will receive an emailed confirmation. The Housing website includes move-in instructions and information about room furnishings, items to bring, and public transportation (housing.berkeley.edu). If you want to contact a staff member, please call 510/642-4108 or send an email to reshall@berkeley.edu.

Early in August, you will recieve an email with a link where you can find out about your future roommate. (There may be exceptions if students have asked for their information not to be released.) Many students have televisions and stereos in their rooms. Speak with your roommate about who will bring what items. Microwave and refrigerator rentals will be available during move-in week.

Avoid sending boxes to the residence halls before you arrive; they may likely get lost or be returned to you. Plan to have your boxes arrive during the week you move into the residence halls.

Check the skinny column on page 21 for other tips.

Publications include
Terms and Conditions of Residence, e-mailed with your contract.
Guide to Student Living in the Residences, via link on page 1 of the Terms and Conditions.

Housing advocacy
Occasionally, students experience problems with rentals or living situations that require information or counseling services.

Student Legal Services is available to advise you about your legal rights and obligations if you have a question or problem with the law. Currently registered Cal students can make an appointment for a free 30-minute consultation (sls.berkeley.edu; 102 Sproul Hall; 510/642-5171).

The Berkeley Rental Housing Safety Program consists of owners, tenants, the City, and the Berkeley community who work together to help prevent deaths, injuries, and ill-health resulting from unsafe rental housing conditions (www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/housing/rhsp; 2180 Milvia Street, 2nd floor; RHSP@ci.berkeley.ca.us; 510/981-5445).

Renters’ Legal Assistance (RLA), a student group, offers counseling and assistance for all rental problems, and education, outreach, and public-interest-research on state and local laws that impact student renters. The group also has a library, and internships are available (www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~asucrla; 314 Eshleman Hall; asucrla@ocf.berkeley.edu; 510/642-1755).

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Program has information on rent control and rights for renters of non-University housing in the City of Berkeley (www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent; 2125 Milvia Street; rent@ci.berkeley.ca.us; 510/981-7368).

Moving out
It’s time to move from a dorm room to an apartment—or back home at the end of the semester—but what to do with furniture, trash, food, paper, and stuff you’ve accumulated? The city and campus have developed a spring move-out campaign to make it easier for students to dispose of items in a responsible and environmentally friendly way. Information on recycling options is distributed, and special trash bins are left in the student housing areas. If you plan ahead (and want some extra cash), consider posting on craigslist or eBay, but even if you have to donate it, make sure your reusable clothes, furniture, and stuff find a good home. Please, don’t trash Berkeley (www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/pw/swm/reuseguide.pdf)!

What to bring to the residence halls
Wondering about what you need to bring to the residence halls? Each room is furnished with desks, beds, drawers, and shelf space. The rest is up to you. Here’s a list of items that students have found useful to have. You don’t need everything on this list! Evaluate your own specific needs before packing or purchasing. Check with your roommate(s) to see what they’re bringing—you don’t want to end up with three mini refrigerators!