BERKELEY, Calif. — How has Berkeley changed over the years?
What used to be a free education for California residents, was around $13,500 for in-state tuition, a number that jumped to more than $38,000 for out-of-state students, in the past academic year.
The University of California, Berkeley, the state’s first and now ranked No. 1 on U.S. News’ annual “best colleges” list, was created 48 years later, in 1868. Over the years, change throughout the university and the town is reflected in the grounds themselves — and continuing construction over the campus’ 1,200 acres — and the students.
Stan James, the manager of Bill’s Men’s Shop, which was founded in 1961, said, “The students were different; they were more preppy. They were pretty much all the same.”
In 1968, the registration fee for all students was $300 per year. The tuition for out-of-state students was $1,200 per year, and tuition was free for all in-state residents.
In 1975, 85 percent of students attending Berkeley were residents of California. According to a recent study done by the Berkeley News Office in 2015, 65 percent of students attending Berkeley are now residents of California.
Maureen Nam, owner of Steve’s Korean BBQ, and Stan James said they have seen a definite increase in diversity in their years working in the heart of the Berkeley campus.
Nam said that over the years, she has noticed that the economy and her business are tied. “State of economy low, my business goes low. State of economy high, my business goes high.”
Right now, Nam has noticed an increase in Asian students, especially Chinese. She said that they are big fans of what Steve’s Korean BBQ has to offer, and so her business is booming.
There have been many new developments within Berkeley, such as development of new residential halls, apartments and restaurants over the years. These changes have shifted both Berkeley’s cityscape and demographic, as the city and the people of Berkeley are connected in an unmistakable and fluid way.
James said that for the past four to five years there was a lot of construction, and the end-result did not turn out as was initially planned. A fire broke out on Telegraph Avenue, taking out two restaurants.
There is currently a construction site,The Southgate Apartments, on Durant Avenue in hopes of creating new apartment space for students,and other Berkeley locals. There will be 44 apartments, eight two-bedroom units, 36 one-bedroom units and junior one-bedroom apartments. The project also includes two restaurants: Taco Bell Cantina and Garlic Mediterranean.
The average cost for an apartment will range from $2,000 to 4,000 a month; even at that high price tag, the apartments are still expected to draw students.
One thing has remained a constant: The importance of academics, students and a vision that Berkeley students will “contribute even more than California’s gold to the glory and happiness of advancing generations.“
James says, “As far as the university, that’s been the constant thing. Students come and get their education.”
