Berkeley Student Cooperative facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | BSC |
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| Nickname | The Co-ops |
| Founded | 1933 |
| Type | Corporation |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) |
| Purpose | Student housing cooperative |
| Headquarters | 2424 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California 94709 |
| Location |
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| Services |
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Membership
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Approximately 1250 |
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President
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Olivia Kehoe (2021–2022) |
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Acting Executive Director
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Dave Chelsea-Seifert |
| Website | bsc.coop |
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Formerly called
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The Berkeley Student Cooperative (BSC), also known as The Co-ops, is a special type of student housing. It helps students find affordable places to live and eat while they study. Most students are from UC Berkeley, but any full-time college student can join.
The BSC provides homes and/or food for over 1,300 students. They live in 17 houses and three apartment buildings. The houses offer meal plans, even for students who don't live there. To help keep costs low, students living in the houses do "workshifts." This means they help out, usually for about five hours a week. Student members elect a board of directors to lead the BSC.
History of the Berkeley Student Cooperative
How the Co-ops Started
In 1933, during the Great Depression, many students needed affordable places to live. Harry Kingman, a director at the Berkeley YMCA, had an idea. He inspired students to create the first cooperative house in Berkeley. In a co-op, students would do chores, called "work-shifts," to help pay for food and lower rent.
This first house followed special rules called Rochdale Principles. These rules included:
- Everyone had a say in decisions (democratic control).
- They bought food together to get the best prices.
- Anyone could join.
- Prices were fair.
- They stayed neutral in politics.
- Money invested earned limited interest.
- Any money saved was returned to members.
The first house had ten students, and soon more joined.
Growing Bigger
Later in 1933, students leased a large house called Barrington Hall. It housed 48 students. The next year, they leased another house, Sheridan Hall, for 100 students. These two houses formed the University of California Students' Cooperative Association (UCSCA).
In 1935, UCSCA leased Berkeley's biggest apartment building. It also became Barrington Hall, housing 200 students. The next year, Stebbins Hall opened as the first house just for women. Other houses like Sherman Hall, Oxford, and Atherton also opened. Oxford became a central kitchen, preparing meals for many houses.
During World War II
When the US entered World War II, fewer male students were around. Sherman and Atherton houses closed temporarily. The UCSCA also helped Japanese American students. When these students were forced to leave their homes, the co-op leased their club building. It became Lexington Hall and housed women until 1948. Barrington Hall was rented to the Navy and was fully renovated.
After the War and New Names
After World War II, many soldiers returned to college with help from the GI Bill. The UCSCA bought Ridge House and Cloyne Court Hotel to house more men. Ridge House had 51 students, and Cloyne Court had 150. Later, another inn was bought and became an all-female house, like Stebbins.
Because of new state laws, the association changed its name. It became the University Students' Cooperative Association (USCA). In 1960, Kidd Hall was bought. In 1966, the USCA opened one of the first co-ed (for both men and women) student housing projects in the country, called the Ridge Project.
Expansion and Changes
In the 1960s and 1970s, many Greek system houses became less popular. This allowed the USCA to buy some of these empty houses. They became Davis House, Andres Castro Arms, and Wolf House. The 1970s also saw the opening of Lothlorien Hall, a house for vegetarians, and Kingman Hall. These houses had previously been home to other types of communities.
During this time, the Rochdale Village Apartments were built. This was one of the BSC's three apartment buildings. The others are Fenwick Weaver's Village and the Northside Apartments. The BSC also owns two houses for graduate students or students returning to college: The Convent and Hillegass/Parker House. In 1987, the Ridge Project was renamed Casa Zimbabwe.
In 1989, members voted to close Barrington Hall, their largest co-op. This was due to issues with neighbors and the city. The 1990s brought two new theme houses: the African American Theme House and, in 1999, Oscar Wilde House. Oscar Wilde House was a former fraternity house.
In 2007, the organization changed its name again to the Berkeley Student Cooperative (BSC). This made it easier to find online and showed that it included community college students too.
How the Co-ops are Governed
The BSC is run by a board of directors with 28 members who vote. Each of the 17 houses and 3 apartment buildings elects a student to represent them for a year. Larger houses can have up to four representatives. The BSC Alumni Association and Employees Association also have one representative each.
The President and Vice Presidents are students elected by the board. They lead committees that review ideas for the board. The BSC also has about 20 permanent staff members. These include people who handle maintenance, office work, and food. Staff members supervise student managers who run the houses day-to-day. These managers are elected by the students in their own houses. Each house also holds regular meetings to decide on house rules and how to spend their budget.
Central Co-op Services
The BSC has a Central Office, Central Kitchen, and Central Maintenance facilities. These are located near the Casa Zimbabwe building.
- Central Office: This office handles all applications for BSC housing. They decide where students will live. They consider things like how long someone has been a member and their preferences.
- Central Kitchen: This kitchen prepares and delivers food orders for all the houses. It does not provide food for the apartments. Food orders are managed by student Food or Kitchen Managers in each house. The Central Kitchen also orders supplies like toilet paper and cleaning products. They also order furniture for both houses and apartments.
- Central Maintenance: This team handles big repairs and renovations for the houses. Smaller repairs are usually done by student Maintenance Managers in each house.
The permanent staff members at BSC are part of a group called the Employee Association.
Help for Disadvantaged Students
The BSC tries to help students who might have a harder time finding housing. They give priority to students in programs like UC Berkeley's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). They also help students with disabilities, transfer students, undocumented students, and international students studying abroad at a University of California campus.
Being Sustainable
Students in the houses and apartments can choose a "Waste-reduction Manager" (WRM). These managers help with recycling plastics, glass, paper, and cardboard. They also help with composting food waste. WRMs often set up colored bins, share information, and hold workshops. They help residents make choices that are good for the environment. They can also fine residents who don't follow the house's sustainability rules.
The BSC also works to reduce food waste by collecting compost. Living in a co-op is sustainable because sharing meals and facilities means less waste. It also means using fewer resources and working together on eco-friendly efforts.
BSC Properties
The BSC currently runs 20 houses and apartments. They own 16 of these buildings. These homes house and/or feed over 1300 students. They range from small houses with 17 residents to large ones with over 100. The BSC also owns the land where Barrington Hall used to be. They lease this land to another landlord.
Historical Buildings
Some BSC properties are very old, dating back to 1904. Several are considered important architectural buildings in Berkeley. Two are even landmarks:
- Cloyne Court, built in 1904, became a National Register of Historic Places site in 1992.
- Kingman Hall, built in 1914, was named a Berkeley Landmark in 1999.
Other notable BSC buildings include Ridge House, designed by John Galen Howard. Three buildings were designed by architect Julia Morgan: Davis House, Wolf House, and African American Theme House (formerly Castro).
Ridge House
The Ridge House is a beautiful mansion built in 1906. It was designed by John Galen Howard, a famous architect. He also designed many buildings at the University of California, Berkeley campus, like the Campanile and Sather Gate. Ridge House is located near the university. It sits on "Holy Hill," an area surrounded by churches. It was bought by the BSC in 1945 and now houses 38 students. Even though it's been updated for students, it still has old fireplaces and secret stairways.
Davis House, Wolf House and Person of Color Theme House
Julia Morgan was the first woman architect licensed in California. She helped design the Hearst Greek Theatre. She also designed three buildings now owned by the BSC: Davis House, Wolf House, and Person of Color Theme House (formerly Andres Castro Arms).
Davis House is located near the California Memorial Stadium. It houses 36 residents. It's sometimes called "the retirement home" because students who have been in the co-ops the longest often live there. It was built in 1913 as a large family home. In the 1960s, it became a sorority house. When sororities became less popular, BSC bought it in 1969. Davis Hall opened to students in 1970. Unlike other houses, seven students here cooked dinner as their work shift.
Wolf House houses 29 residents. It's located near other fraternity and sorority houses. It was built in 1905 for a church leader. In 1915, the house was actually moved to a new location! It became a sorority house before BSC bought it in 1974. In 2002, BSC added a ramp to make it easier for disabled residents to access the building.
Person of Color Theme House (Castro) houses 56 residents. It's known for its red brick staircase. Built in 1911, it was designed in a Mediterranean style. It became a sorority house in the 1930s. BSC bought it in 1971 and named it after Andres Castro, a long-time chef for the BSC. In 2016, it became the Person of Color Theme House. This was to help minority and low-income students feel more connected to the co-op community.
Houses
| Name | Photograph | Rooms and Residents | Address | Notes |
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| African American Theme House | 21 Residents 3 Singles - 6 Doubles - 2 Triples |
2347 Prospect Street Berkeley, CA 94704 | This house is near the California Memorial Stadium. It became a co-op in 1997. It is open to students from all backgrounds. House members promote their theme by doing community service and hosting events. Members often call each other "Afros" and the house "Afro House." | |
| Casa Zimbabwe | 124 residents 31 Singles - 30 Doubles - 11 Triples |
2422 Ridge Rd, CA 93021 |
Opened in 1966, Casa Zimbabwe, or CZ, is in Northside. It's a block from the university. CZ was built specifically to be a cooperative living space. It was one of the first co-ed student housing options in the nation. |
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| Cloyne Court | 140 Residents 38 Singles - 39 Doubles - 8 Triples |
2600 Ridge Road Berkeley, CA 94709 |
Cloyne Court Hotel, or Cloyne, is near the university. It was built in 1904 as a high-class hotel. It became a BSC co-op in 1946. In 2014, the house became substance-free and focused on academics. |
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| Davis House | 36 residents 8 Singles - 11 Doubles - 2 triples |
2833 Bancroft Steps Berkeley, CA 94704 | Designed by Julia Morgan and built in 1913, it became part of BSC in 1969. It is considered one of the best residences at BSC. It is named after Bill Davis, an early co-op member. Members of the house call themselves Davisaurs. | |
| Euclid Hall | 24 Residents 14 Singles - 5 Doubles |
1777 Euclid Ave Berkeley, CA 94709 | Residents of Euclid Hall are called Euclidians. Euclid Hall was originally the University of California Japanese Students' Club. During World War II, when Japanese Americans were forced to leave the west coast, BSC leased the building. It was returned in 1948. In 1967, BSC bought the building. | |
| Hillegass Parker House | 57 Residents 57 Singles |
2545 Hillegass Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 | From the 1970s to 2005, this was Le Chateau, a large co-op. After some issues, BSC changed it to a co-op for graduate students or those 25 and older. It opened in 2005 with fewer residents. The house was refurbished, and the outdoor pool was filled in. Residents are known as the "Hippos." | |
| Hoyt Hall | 60 Residents 31 Singles - 13 Doubles - 1 Triple |
2519 Ridge Road Berkeley, CA 94709 | Hoyt Hall is in Northside. BSC bought it in 1953. It was an all-women cooperative, close to another women's hall, Stebbins. It was named after Aice G. Hoyt, who greatly helped the cooperative. Hoyt and Sherman Hall are the remaining women-only co-ops, though both are co-ed in the summer. | |
| Kidd Hall | 17 Residents 3 singles - 7 Doubles |
2562 Le Conte Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 | This is the smallest house in BSC. It was named after Alexander Morrison Hall, a law professor who was on the BSC faculty board. Kidd Hall is in a wooded neighborhood near the UC Berkeley campus. It has a backyard redwood forest with Strawberry Creek running through it. | |
| Kingman Hall | 50 Residents 11 Singles - 18 Doubles - 1 Triple |
1730 La Loma Ave Berkeley, CA 94709 |
This hall was designed as a fraternity in 1914. It joined the BSC as Kingman Hall in 1977. It is named after Harry L. Kingman, who encouraged the BSC founders. The hall is considered a Berkeley Landmark. |
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| Lothlorien | 58 residents 14 Singles - 15 Doubles - 2 Triples - 2 Quads |
2415 Prospect Street Berkeley, CA 94704 |
Commonly known as Loth, this is a vegetarian-themed house. Many residents are vegetarians and vegans, but it's not required to live there. Lothlorien has a unique communal culture that blends art and progressive activism. |
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| Person of Color Theme House (Castro) | 56 Residents 7 Singles - 20 Doubles - 2 Triples - 1 Quad |
2310 Prospect Street Berkeley, CA 94704 | Like other BSC historical buildings, this was a large family home. It became a sorority before BSC bought it in 1971. It was named Andres Castro Arms after a long-time chef. It became Person of Color Theme House in 2016. This was to support minority and low-income students. | |
| Ridge House | 38 Residents 11 Singles - 6 Doubles - 5 Triples |
2420 Ridge Road Berkeley, CA 94709 | Ridge House was once a mansion. It is an architecturally unique building. It sits on "Holy Hill" just north of the Berkeley campus. It offers great views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate. It is connected to Casa Zimbabwe and the BSC central office. | |
| Sherman Hall | 40 Residents 8 Singles - 13 Doubles - 2 Triples |
2250 Prospect Street Berkeley, CA 94704 | Sherman Hall is an all-female house, but it is co-ed in the summer. Residents call themselves Sherminites. It is one of two women-only houses in BSC. Sherman is on the South Side of Berkeley, near the California Memorial Stadium. It opened in 1942 and was originally a sorority house. | |
| Stebbins | 64 Residents 18 Singles - 23 Doubles |
2527 Ridge Road Berkeley, CA 94709 |
Stebbins Hall is on the north side of the University of California, Berkeley campus. The USCA bought a hotel in 1936 to be the first all-women cooperative house. It stayed that way until 1971 when it became co-ed. It was named after Lucy Ward Stebbins, a former Dean of Women. Residents call themselves "Stebbinites." |
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| The Convent | 25 Residents 25 Singles |
1601 Allston Way Berkeley, CA 94703 | The Convent was once a convent. It is about a mile from the UC Berkeley campus. All residents must be university students. Like Hillegass/Parker House, The Convent is for graduate students or those 25 and older. It is the only co-op where all residents have single rooms. It is known for being quieter and cleaner. Its rec room used to be a chapel. | |
| Oscar Wilde House | 38 Residents 8 Singles - 15 Doubles |
2410 Warring Street Berkeley, CA 94704 | Located among Berkeley's fraternities and sororities, this house was bought from a fraternity. It opened as a co-op in 1999. It was named in honor of Oscar Wilde, a famous Irish author. | |
| Wolf House | 29 Residents 9 Singles - 7 Doubles - 2 Triples |
2732 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 | Wolf House ("Wolfhause") is two blocks from the university. Residents call themselves "wolves." It is in the Southside area of Berkeley, near "frat row." The house was a sorority before BSC bought it in 1974. |
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Apartments
All BSC apartment units are designed to be accessible for people using wheelchairs.
| Name | Photograph | Apartments and Residents | Address | Notes |
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| Fenwick Weavers' Village | 102 Residents 36 Apartments of 1 to 4 bedroom |
2415 Dwight Way Berkeley, CA 94704 | Fenwick Weavers' Village was named after the Fenwick Weavers' Society in Scotland. This group is thought to be the first co-operative. This village opened in 1980. Only UC Berkeley students can live here during Fall and Spring semesters. Fenwick property includes Davis Park, a basketball court, and a garden. | |
| Northside Apartments | 26 Residents 13 One Bedroom Apartments - 3 Studio Apartments |
2526 - 2540 Le Conte Ave. Berkeley, CA 94709 | Northside Apartments is near other co-ops in the Northside neighborhood. It opened in 1960. It has two small apartment buildings. The atmosphere is different from the communal houses, as many residents are working on advanced degrees. Members still meet monthly. | |
| Rochdale Village | 259 residents 96 apartments 1 to 4 bedrooms |
2424 Haste St. Berkeley, CA 94704 |
Rochdale Village was named after the English town of Rochdale. This is where the Rochdale Pioneers created the Rochdale Principles of cooperation. In 1970, the City of Berkeley, the University of California, and the BSC worked together. They wanted to create more affordable housing for students. This led to Rochdale Village, one of the first student housing projects to get funding from the US government. Over 80% of residents are part of the university's Educational Opportunity Program. This program helps students from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds. Only UC Berkeley students can live here during Fall and Spring semesters. Some units are wheelchair accessible. |
Past Co-ops
These buildings were once part of the BSC but are no longer operating as co-ops:
- Rooming house on the Southside (Spring 1933)
- The first Barrington Hall (1933–1935)
- Second Barrington Hall (1935–1943; 1950–1989)
- Sheridan Hall (1934–1943)
- Atherton (1937–~1942)
- Oxford Hall (1938–1977)
- The first Kingman Hall (Likely the late 1930s–1946)
- Lexington Hall (1942–1948), leased from the Japanese Students Club during World War II; later became Euclid Hall
- The first Rochdale (1943–1945)
- House in San Francisco's Buena Vista neighborhood (1944–1957)
- Eisenfitz, Clod-haven, and Ridge Annex (1959–1960)
- Le Chateau (1977–2005), later became Hillegass-Parker House
Famous BSC Alumni
Many notable people have lived in BSC co-ops:
- Beverly Cleary (1936–1938, Stebbins Hall), a famous author of children's books, like the Ramona series.
- Narsai David (1953–1955, Cloyne Court), a chef, author, and food reporter.
- Andreas Floer (1983–1985, Barrington Hall), a German-American mathematician.
- Nathan Huggins (1952–1954, Oxford Hall), a history professor at Harvard University.
- Ed Masuga (1999–2002, Le Chateau), a singer, musician, and songwriter.
- Norman Mineta (1949–1950, Ridge House), a former United States Secretary of Transportation.
- Peter Montgomery (1967–1971, Cloyne Court), a mathematician.
- Gordon Moore (1950, Cloyne Court), co-founder of Intel.
- Leon F. Litwack (1948–1951, Oxford House, Ridge House and Cloyne Court), a Pulitzer Prize winner and history professor.
- Nancy Skinner (California politician), Barrington Hall.
- Steve Wozniak (1971–1972), Barrington Hall.
See also
- Berkeley Student Food Collective (BSFC)
- Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives (NoBAWC)
- North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO)
