Mother's concerns about Cal

<p>were you guys the ones who painted it red?</p>

<p>to OP: the area around the dorms are really safe. I've never had any problems walking alone at like 3-4am. I would recommend your son living in the dorms for the first year because at least for me, it was the best experience. Nothing beats being able to walk out of your room at any time and having people to chill with. His floormates will probably be his first close group of friends. I talked to people who lived in minisuites their first semester and they regretted it. The whole environment is CRAZY. I remember during finals week, I was studying in the lounge and I walk out onto the balcony looking out into the courtyard and I see thousands of kids studying in their rooms and lounges. The sight was just unbelievable...never seen so many kids studying together.</p>

<p>Anyways, Shattuck is a whole other story. I'd stay away from there at nights.</p>

<p>
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although I agree that freshmen in college should be able to live out the dorm experience, if he cannot transfer to a closer dorm, I want to force him into the apartments (at this point, I wouldn't be forcing him since he is agreeing with the idea as the orientation session wears on).

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<p>I haven't read all the postings in between, but I WOULD STRONGLY advise against this. I lived in an apartment my first term and it put me at a disadvantage regarding my social life for a long time. A lot of your community and connections are formed the first term of your freshman year at the dorms.</p>

<p>I'm a mom myself and know the area well. It may not have occurred to you, but the people who live in the area around Clark Kerr campus consider it quite upscale. And one of the wonderful things about living in the area surrounding a large university is that there are almost always people around. You can advise him not to be out alone late at night, but when he does it anyway, there will be other students out too.</p>

<p>Bottom line--I would not be concerned (more than all the usual mother concern) about my daughter living at Clark Kerr, let alone my son.</p>

<p>I'm a CalSO counselor this year, I wonder who your CalSO counselors are....</p>

<p>Getting mugged is definitely something that students should be aware of. Many students, especially male students, feel that it won't happen to them, but as Lt. Tejada said, the college aged male is the number one victim of crime robbery in the city of Berkeley. It certainly hit close to home when one of my male friends got mugged. Now I'm less likely to walk alone at night (as I did during my first semester).</p>

<p>However, just use COMMON SENSE and you'll be safe most of the time.</p>

<p>I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the martial arts program at Cal- there are specific disciplines taught for self defense, by instructors who are extremely good at what they do. I'm not saying that taking the martial arts classes will automatically make the rest of the other ideas presented here moot, but it's a nice feeling to know you can defend yourself if needed.</p>

<p>where can I find out more about the martial arts program at Cal? Are you involved with it? Is it through the RSF? Do they offer programs during the summer? I'll start searching for info but if you have any, please post. Thank you.</p>

<p>This thread needs some apartment commentary -</p>

<p>1) In general, UC housing provides superior maintenance and student facilities compared to many of the independent options around.</p>

<p>2) Apartments + Utilities + Food could certainly surpass dorm fees - the pricing around campus is ridiculous. </p>

<p>3) The cheaper apartments are generally FARTHER away from campus than the dorms - either that or they're co-ops/in horrible condition.</p>

<p>4) There are plenty more apartments in worse-off neighborhoods. The dorms themselves are relatively safe.</p>

<p>5) The Clark-Kerr neighborhood is safer than its Unit 3 counterpart.</p>

<p>6) There is a shuttle service from campus to the residence halls.</p>

<p>Take a deep breath and let your son be free.</p>

<p>TT, apartments are usually cheaper than the dorms, dorms costs something like 1300 a month, for a hamster cage and a communal bathroom, apartments are your own place, and no one who's just 1-2 years older than you has the balls to tell you what you can and can't do in your own apt</p>

<p>I am a long-time Berkeley resident, went to Cal, and my son is a fairly recent Cal graduate who lived in Clark Kerr. Clark Kerr is not particularly far -- about a 10 minute walk down a busy, safe street -- along fraternity row and past International House at the tip of campus, where there are a lot of people around in the daytime and at night. It is one of the nicer dormitories -- with windows that open, not high rise, larger rooms, real walls (vs. cement block); it is supposedly a friendlier dorm than Foothill, particularly in the non-suite floors. The area adjacent to Clark Kerr is actually a wealthy area with large homes -- I am speaking of the streets to the south and up toward the Claremont Hotel and of Elmwood. College Avenue is nearby and filled with nice shops and restaurants (and one of the best ice cream stores in the country -- Ici, started by a Chez Panisse patisseure). My son had no bad experiences during the time he lived there. Indeed, for the most part, Berkeley is an affluent town -- the hills on the north side of campus are filled with expensive homes, and even the flatlands have become more "yuppified" over time. Take a visit to Fourth Street, to North Shattuck. This may allay some of your concerns. The area that is more problematic is south of Telegraph Avenue, on streets like Dwight and Haste, where there are also several of the dorms. There are indeed some crazy people around -- in Sproul Plaza and Peope's Park and along Telegraph Ave. They are generally harmless. The danger is more from kids driving in from Oakland at night -- there have been armed robberies, for example. It is important to be streetwise, especially on Telegraph and below and even in downtown Berkeley at night -- better to walk in company with others or take the shuttles.</p>

<p>it's time for someone to defend apartment living!</p>

<p>I just found signed an application for an apt for 2 bedroom 1 bathroom for $1300 on grant and dwight. it's pretty close!</p>

<p>it averages out to $750 per room. that leaves $550 per month for other expenses to match dorm cost.</p>

<p>with a little accounting creativity, along with converting the living room into a private room, it brings down the price to about $425 a person!</p>

<p>now now, "having someone live in the living room is just inconvenient." Would it be more convenient than sharing a room with 1 or 2 other people? a restroom with the entire hall? no kitchen?</p>

<p>What about the social life? There's plenty of ways to make friends at a UC Campus! Join student organizations! Talk to people in your class! If you need to sleep with someone to make friends with them, we've got a problem.</p>

<p>Dorm life? Make some friends who live in dorms, crash there a couple nights throughout the year, hang out with them during the day in their dorms, i'm sure he'll get the jist of dorm life. Sure its not the same, but if he decides in his second year he wants to try it, he can.</p>