Berkeley

( Anu is currently working on this page, it will take some time to complete. Feel free to add, bearing in mind that it is not yet finished.)

Berkeley is the CTY-CLI site which was created in 2010, when the San Francisco site was closed. It is located just outside the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, in the Unit 3 Residence halls. The code for the site is BRK.

Only about half of the students at this site each year have previously attended a CTY session, but traditions are accepted by everyone.

Dorms

Ida Sproul, Unit 3 Residence halls.
3rd floor is used for the office and admin; boys are on 4th and 5th; girls on 6th and 7th; instructors, TAs and Admins on 8th.

Student Life

Activities

One activity period is offered each day (equivalent to a daily activity), lasting roughly 1.5hrs. There are usually 4-5 choices plus the option of signing in or out.

Signing in and out

Students are given the option to sign out with a buddy to roam the Berkeley In Bounds areas, or to sign in and stay within the Residence In Bounds areas.
During the first week, they may do this once between Tuesday and Thursday, and signing in or out is mandatory on Friday.
During the second week students may sign in or out twice between Monday and Thursday, and Friday is compulsory.
During the last week, students may sign in or out once between Monday and Wednesday, and Thursday is compulsory.

Dances

The dances have refreshments. These usually consist of chips, sprite, soda, diet soda, and water. This is a very nice change from most regular CTY dances, which only have a water fountain.
The atmosphere is relaxed compared to regular CTY dances - young adults are left to be young adults (no flashlights).

Canon

The last four songs are Cupid Shuffle, Stairway to Heaven, American Pie and Where is the Love. This new tradition at BRK, to play Where is the Love after American Pie, was introduced so that students who had previously attended regular CTY could experience a change. It has so far proven very popular.

Sleepovers

In 2014, the original plan was for sleepovers to be allowed to boys on the second Friday and to girls on the second Saturday (same floor only). However, soon after this was announced, the girls petitioned successfully for both boys and girls to be allowed sleepovers on the second Friday and Saturday (same restrictions applying).

Traditions/things we like moving to Berkeley

There are a few, increasing each year.

Passionfruit
ERS
Canon

Lovetape day

This was first brought to Berkeley in 2014, and was held on the second Thursday. This is because it was decided that it would be during the middle of the second week, but there was a speaker on Tuesday, rendering it inappropriate for students to be covered in tape; and there was a field experience on Wednesday, hence the same problem.

Grass Orgies grorgies)

This is not usually possible in the normal in-bounds areas, however on some activities and when walking to the BART station students will walk through the university campus, where grass orgies are possible.

Giggly Soup (GS-CLI)

GS-CLI

Aim

To express gratitude openly and freely.

Name

Mr Chris Worthington, the third speaker at BRK.14, explained how he and his partner were affectionately named the 'Giggly Soup Twins' by his passing father.

Instructions

1) Write a note to anyone in CLI (can be students or staff), to express gratitude, admiration, appreciation or just all round good vibes.
2) It must be anonymous (don't sign your name).
3) Drop it in one of the mailboxes on the 3rd floor and an RA will deliver the note.
4) Rinse, and repeat.