This section of our Web site is devoted to sharing the benefits of a college experience at Tellefsen Hall with prospective members and their families. Feel free to skip to a specific section, or take the tour as a whole.

Location
Room and Board
Social Events
Academics
Parking Accommodation
Cost
Joining Us

Location

Many students who come to Berkeley quickly realize that finding affordable housing at a reasonable distance from the classroom can be an undertaking in itself. Residents of Tellefsen Hall enjoy TH's close proximity to campus- just two blocks from the latter's north side. The North Side neighborhood is known for its safety and relative tranquility, and is home to various shops and restaurants, including two hair salons, a coffee house, Mexican, Italian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and American restaurants, several small grocery stores, a stationary/copy business, and a florist.

TH itself sits on a peaceful, forested lot through which Strawberry Creek meanders on its journey to campus. Members can enjoy a game of basketball on the court, toast marshmallows in the outdoor fireplace, or picnic on the deck in the spring.

Room and Board

Tellefsen Hall is home to 44 residents, and is split up into 14 single-sex bedrooms, with two, three, or four members to a room. All of the rooms are furnished with standard twin-sized beds, dressers, desks, chairs, and floor-to-ceiling closets, and are wired with broadband internet, in addition to being equipped with wireless capabilities. Have a look at some samples of each type of room here.

One of the greatest assets of Tellefsen Hall is Nancy Jean, our house chef. Nancy, a former San Francisco pastry chef, prepares lunch, dinner, and often dessert Monday through Friday for house members, and keeps the pantries and refrigerators well-stocked with breakfast foods, snacks, and cooking supplies, as many house members enjoy a bit of midnight epicurean experimentation. In the fall, Nancy works Saturdays instead of Mondays, so residents have a hot meal waiting for them after long football game days. When Nancy is not working, members are given meal coupons that are redeemable at a number of North Side restaurants, so they have an opportunity to eat out on occasion.

Social Events

All House members pay social dues of $80 a semester, and these funds become the bulk of the Social Account, managed by the House as a whole as advised by the Social Committee. The funds are used to pay for social events, trips House members take to nearby attractions. Recent destinations have included Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland, Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara, SBC Park in San Francisco for a Giants baseball game, and the Berkeley Ice Center (for games of Broomball, a popular sport among House members). Each semester, the Social Committee schedules a formal dinner and a formal dance as well.

Often, and especially during holidays, social events take place at Tellefsen Hall. Favorites include the annual Halloween pumpkin carving contest, the Thanksgiving Dinner cooked by Nancy, and the weasel-egg hunt at Easter.

Academics

Tellefsen Hall officials are committed not only to creating a social atmosphere, but also one which is conducive to study and learning. Members can use TH's library for a quiet homework venue throughout the day, and after dinner, quiet hours go into effect, during which members can study in the living room or at the dining room table without interruption. One of the Social Committee members also serves as the House's academic advisor, offering useful tips to new students and keeping TH well-stocked with examination blue books and other materials.

Quiet hours do not apply to the basement area (which also serves as a laundromat for members), so residents often take advantage of its seclusion to watch movies (with surround sound!), play video games, or simply chat with friends.

Parking Accommodation

As Tellefsen Hall maintains a parking lot for its residents, House members are free to bring their vehicles with them. Arrangements can also be made for family use of TH's lot on football game days. For further information, please contact the House President.

Cost

The Association has set rent for Tellefsen Hall at just $9450 for the 2007-2008 school year, payable in monthly installments. For many residents, this low price is one of the most important advantages TH has over the dormitories- University Housing and Dining Services sets 2007-2008 room and board rates at anywhere from $10,485 to $15,600. In addition, Band scholarships are available for students with extraordinary talent and/or financial need. Please visit the Cal Band Web site for further information.

Joining Us

Sound interesting? Signing up takes just two steps: filling out a Housing Contract, and sending us a security deposit. The security deposit formally reserves a spot in the House and is returned to house members when they move out. To reserve your spot or to schedule a tour of TH, please contact the House Manager ASAP--spots fill up quickly! Thank you for taking the tour, and of course, Go Bears!