Stebbins Hall (Cooperative House)
Encyclopedia
Stebbins Hall is a student housing cooperative
owned by the Berkeley Student Cooperative (BSC) and located at 2527 Ridge Road in Berkeley, California
, on the north side of the University of California, Berkeley
campus. The house has 64 residents during the school year, from late August to mid May, and around forty residents over the summer.
, former Dean of Women at University of California, Berkeley
. Lucy Ward was born in San Francisco in 1880. She was educated at the University of California, Berkeley and later transferred to Radcliffe College
to receive her A.B. degree. She graduated from Radcliffe College
in 1902 and worked in Massachusetts as a social worker until 1910 when she took the position as Assistant Dean of Women at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1912 the former dean retired and Lucy Ward was appointed Dean of Women.
Lucy Ward served the university for thirty years. During her time in office, she increased the enrollment of women from 1,200 to 6,400 by raising money for scholarships, expanding curriculum, encouraging women to participate in student government, and creating housing opportunities. During her office, the schools of Nursing and Social welfare were established, as well as the departments of Decorative Arts and Home Economics. Lucy Ward also founded the Women's Faculty Club, one of the earliest female faculty organizations to exist at a co-ed university.
Upon conferring an honorary LL.D award to her in 1953, President Sproul described Lucy Ward as “A teacher and dean...who saw clearly into the hearts and
minds of students, and stimulated them by precept and example to achieve their highest potential. No single individual has contributed more than you to
the personal and general welfare of the University's women, and few have touched helpfully so many phases of our University life."
Stebbins was the honored guest and speaker at the Stebbins Institute in 1942, which took place at Stebbins Hall.
, a “high class modern apartment house” in 1904, which they later transformed into their own residence. Additionally, in 1909, the Pierces built the Treehaven apartment complex which still stands on the lot next to Stebbins Hall.
The Pierce's original house was a turreted Victorian, which they lived in as soon as they moved to the city of Berkeley in 1894. The Pierces sold the property in 1903 to move to a house up the street, and eventually to Cloyne Court. In 1927 the Pierce house was torn down to make way for Hotel Slocum. Stebbins Hall was leased through the efforts of Mortar Board
alumnae in 1936 as a women's cooperative boarding house. Beverly Cleary
was one of the first residents of Stebbins Hall and referred her time there as "two of the most interesting years of my life."
The University Student Cooperative Association purchased the property in 1950 as a site for the first all-women cooperative house, and it remained this way until 1971 when Stebbins Hall became coed.
All of the common areas (the lounges and the dining room) are front loaded near the entrance of the house.
On the first through third floors are the individual rooms. All of these floors are L-shaped, with a long South wing and a shorter North wing. There is
one staircase near the front of the South wing and one at the back of it. The east half of the South wing of the building houses most of the single
rooms, which have eastward facing windows. There is also one single on each floor on the east side of the North wing, near the back stairs. These rooms
have northward facing windows.
The remaining rooms in the west half of the South wing, the corner of the South wing, and in the North wing are doubles. Every two doubles share a
private bathroom, and there are also two restrooms in the hall (one with a shower) on each floor. These are used mostly by guests and residents living in single rooms. Some of the rooms have hardwood floors, while others are carpeted. All of the hallways and staircases are carpeted.
, in addition to tempura
, miso soup
, and various other condiments.
open them to guests, serving refreshments. Party goers move systematically from one wing of the building to
the next until they end with a dance party in the basement.
Student housing cooperative
A student housing cooperative, also known as co-operative housing, is a housing cooperative for students in an educational institution.Unlike a resident who acquires shares at market rates to earn the right to occupy a specific apartment on a permanent basis , a resident of a student co-op acquires...
owned by the Berkeley Student Cooperative (BSC) and located at 2527 Ridge Road in Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
, on the north side of the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
campus. The house has 64 residents during the school year, from late August to mid May, and around forty residents over the summer.
Namesake
Stebbins Hall is named after Lucy Ward StebbinsLucy Ward Stebbins
Lucy Ward Stebbins was the Dean of Women at University of California, Berkeley.Lucy Ward Stebbins was born in San Francisco in 1880. She was the daughter of Horatio Stebbins, pastor of the San Francisco First Unitarian Church and Regent for UC Berkeley...
, former Dean of Women at University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. Lucy Ward was born in San Francisco in 1880. She was educated at the University of California, Berkeley and later transferred to Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College was a women's liberal arts college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was the coordinate college for Harvard University. It was also one of the Seven Sisters colleges. Radcliffe College conferred joint Harvard-Radcliffe diplomas beginning in 1963 and a formal merger agreement with...
to receive her A.B. degree. She graduated from Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College was a women's liberal arts college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was the coordinate college for Harvard University. It was also one of the Seven Sisters colleges. Radcliffe College conferred joint Harvard-Radcliffe diplomas beginning in 1963 and a formal merger agreement with...
in 1902 and worked in Massachusetts as a social worker until 1910 when she took the position as Assistant Dean of Women at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1912 the former dean retired and Lucy Ward was appointed Dean of Women.
Lucy Ward served the university for thirty years. During her time in office, she increased the enrollment of women from 1,200 to 6,400 by raising money for scholarships, expanding curriculum, encouraging women to participate in student government, and creating housing opportunities. During her office, the schools of Nursing and Social welfare were established, as well as the departments of Decorative Arts and Home Economics. Lucy Ward also founded the Women's Faculty Club, one of the earliest female faculty organizations to exist at a co-ed university.
Upon conferring an honorary LL.D award to her in 1953, President Sproul described Lucy Ward as “A teacher and dean...who saw clearly into the hearts and
minds of students, and stimulated them by precept and example to achieve their highest potential. No single individual has contributed more than you to
the personal and general welfare of the University's women, and few have touched helpfully so many phases of our University life."
Stebbins was the honored guest and speaker at the Stebbins Institute in 1942, which took place at Stebbins Hall.
Building history
Stebbins Hall is located at 2527 Ridge Road, the lot of the Pierce family's original Victorian home. The Pierces were a wealthy family, responsible for many architectural landmarks in the city of Berkeley. They built the Cloyne Court HotelCloyne Court Hotel
The Cloyne Court Hotel, often referred to simply as Cloyne, is a student housing cooperative located at 2600 Ridge Road in Berkeley, California on the north side of the University of California, Berkeley campus, on Ridge Road at Leroy Avenue. It is part of the Berkeley Student Cooperative system...
, a “high class modern apartment house” in 1904, which they later transformed into their own residence. Additionally, in 1909, the Pierces built the Treehaven apartment complex which still stands on the lot next to Stebbins Hall.
The Pierce's original house was a turreted Victorian, which they lived in as soon as they moved to the city of Berkeley in 1894. The Pierces sold the property in 1903 to move to a house up the street, and eventually to Cloyne Court. In 1927 the Pierce house was torn down to make way for Hotel Slocum. Stebbins Hall was leased through the efforts of Mortar Board
Mortar Board
Mortar Board is an American national honor society whose purpose is to recognize outstanding students dedicated to the values of scholarship, leadership, and service. The Cornell University Der Hexenkreis chapter, founded in 1892, is the oldest and predates the national society's founding in 1918...
alumnae in 1936 as a women's cooperative boarding house. Beverly Cleary
Beverly Cleary
Beverly Cleary is an American author. Educated at colleges in California and Washington, she worked as a librarian before writing children's books. Cleary has written more than 30 books for young adults and children. Some of her best-known characters are Henry Huggins, Ribsy, Beatrice Quimby, her...
was one of the first residents of Stebbins Hall and referred her time there as "two of the most interesting years of my life."
The University Student Cooperative Association purchased the property in 1950 as a site for the first all-women cooperative house, and it remained this way until 1971 when Stebbins Hall became coed.
Structural layout
Originally built to be a hotel, the building consists of three floors and a basement. On the basement level is the kitchen, dining room, laundry room, study room (and free pile), and the maintenance area. By the entrance on the first floor are the lizard lounge (a small recreational area created by combining two adjacent rooms, and the large and small TV rooms.All of the common areas (the lounges and the dining room) are front loaded near the entrance of the house.
On the first through third floors are the individual rooms. All of these floors are L-shaped, with a long South wing and a shorter North wing. There is
one staircase near the front of the South wing and one at the back of it. The east half of the South wing of the building houses most of the single
rooms, which have eastward facing windows. There is also one single on each floor on the east side of the North wing, near the back stairs. These rooms
have northward facing windows.
The remaining rooms in the west half of the South wing, the corner of the South wing, and in the North wing are doubles. Every two doubles share a
private bathroom, and there are also two restrooms in the hall (one with a shower) on each floor. These are used mostly by guests and residents living in single rooms. Some of the rooms have hardwood floors, while others are carpeted. All of the hallways and staircases are carpeted.
Socially Awkward Picnic (SAP)
This event occurs at the beginning of the semester, before everyone has their permanent roommates. Stebbinites mingle with one another over barbecue or picnic foods while desperately trying to find someone to room with. Lifelong friends and, less frequently, enemies meet at the SAP.Eighties Party
This is Stebbins' largest out of house party. The eighties theme was a long-standing tradition until 2008/2009.Sushi Night
Started in the fall of 2007 by Stebbinite Rachel, this event features sushiSushi
is a Japanese food consisting of cooked vinegared rice combined with other ingredients . Neta and forms of sushi presentation vary, but the ingredient which all sushi have in common is shari...
, in addition to tempura
Tempura
], is a Japanese dish of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried.-Batter:A light batter is made of cold water and soft wheat flour . Eggs, baking soda or baking powder, starch, oil, and/or spices may also be added...
, miso soup
Miso soup
is a traditional Japanese soup consisting of a stock called "dashi" into which is mixed softened miso paste. Many ingredients are added depending on regional and seasonal recipes, and personal preference.-Miso paste:...
, and various other condiments.
Music and Story Night
An open mic night where Stebbinites perform musical numbers, recite poetry, and are just generally artistic. Special Dessert or Wine and Cheese are normally hosted in combination with this event.Room-to-Room
As is the same with all the other BSC houses, Stebbins hosts a room-to-room every semester. Stebbinites decorate their rooms andopen them to guests, serving refreshments. Party goers move systematically from one wing of the building to
the next until they end with a dance party in the basement.