Is Stern Hall only for women?

Stern is a womxn-identified residence, meaning it is open to students who self-identify as womxn. That includes first-year students, transfers, and continuing upper-division students — the hall is not exclusively for freshmen. The mix of class years on the floors gives Stern a different community feel compared to purely freshman halls. If your student self-identifies as womxn and wants that environment, they can select Stern as a housing preference during the application process. Eligibility is determined by self-identification — confirm through Berkeley Housing's application before listing it as a preference to make sure the process matches your student's situation.

Does Stern Hall have air conditioning?

No — Stern Hall has no air conditioning. Like all UC Berkeley residence halls, Stern has no AC and portable AC units are explicitly prohibited under the Residential Code of Conduct. The building dates to 1942, designed by William Wurster in a historic style, which means ventilation is older-style — less efficient at moving air through the building than modern construction. Berkeley's climate is mild for most of the year, but August move-in in a historic building can feel warm. A quality tower or box fan is worth prioritizing on your packing list. Avoid fans with a heating element, which are separately prohibited.

What makes Stern different from other Berkeley freshman halls?

Several things set Stern apart from other Berkeley freshman halls. The womxn-identified community is the defining characteristic — it shapes the social environment in ways that many students find supportive and intentional. The 1942 William Wurster architecture gives the building a historic character that most other halls don't have. Rooms at Stern are carpeted, which is uncommon among Berkeley halls and makes the space feel more home-like. On-site amenities include a fitness center, laundry, mail, a recreation room, and bike storage. And unlike most freshman halls, Stern also houses transfers and continuing upper-division students, creating a mixed-class-year community on the floors.

What does Stern provide in the room, and what do we need to bring?

Stern provides a bed frame and XL twin mattress (80"×36" — two inches narrower than a standard XL twin, so shop for sheets labeled 36" wide or sized for a narrow XL), a desk, chair, dresser, mirror, closet, carpet, and a MicroChill unit that combines a mini-fridge and microwave in one appliance. The carpet is a notable addition — most Berkeley halls have bare floors. What you need to bring: XL twin bedding, a desk lamp, a fan (no AC on campus), a shower caddy, towels, and toiletries. On-site at Stern: fitness center, laundry, recreation room, and bike storage, so you'll use the building for more than just sleeping.

Berkeley, CA · ★ 2-Year Guarantee

Stern Hall Dorm Checklist 2026

UC Berkeley

Singles, doubles, triples

Verified Apr 26, 2026 · housing.berkeley.edu

Womxn-identified residency — historic 1942 William Wurster building on the northeast side of campus, next to Foothill. Houses first-year students, continuing students, and transfers. Quiet community, close to STEM buildings.

Bed SizeXL Twin · 80"×36"
Under-BedAdjustable frame · clearance varies
ACNo
On-Campus96%

✓ In the room

Bed frame & XL twin mattressdeskchairdressermirrorclosetMicroChill micro-fridge + microwave; carpeton-site fitness centerlaundrymailrecreation roombike storage

✗ Not provided

Beddingdesk lampfanshower caddyrugtowelstoiletries

⊘ Prohibited

Portable AC unitshalogen lampscandlesincenseopen-flame itemsplug-in (non-battery) string lightsheat-producing appliances outside designated kitchens

Berkeley prohibits portable AC units in every freshman hall — there is no AC anywhere on campus housing. Plan for layered bedding and a quiet desk fan instead.
Stern Hall is a womxn-identified residence. Open to first-years, transfers, and continuing students who self-identify; verify eligibility before applying.

Living in Stern Hall: what to know before you pack

The room

Stern Hall offers singles, doubles, and triples in a historic 1942 William Wurster building on the northeast side of campus, adjacent to Foothill. Every room comes furnished with a bed frame and XL twin mattress (80"×36"), desk, chair, dresser, mirror, and closet, plus a MicroChill mini-fridge/microwave combo. Notably, Stern rooms also include carpet — an uncommon feature among Berkeley residence halls that makes the space feel a bit more like home. Beds are two inches narrower than a standard XL twin, so verify sheet sizing before you pack.

Day to day

Stern is a womxn-identified residence, which shapes the community in meaningful ways — it tends to be quieter and close-knit, particularly appealing to students who want that environment. On-site amenities include a fitness center, laundry, mail services, a recreation room, and bike storage, so most day-to-day needs are handled without leaving the building. Common bathrooms are shared by floor.

Move-in day

Move-in is mid-August. Stern sits on the northeast side of campus next to Foothill — uphill from the center of campus but close to STEM buildings on the north side. The building houses first-years, transfers, and continuing students, so the floor dynamic can be more mixed-class-year than a purely freshman hall.

A styled dorm desk, furnished and shoppable

Room ideas

See dorm rooms styled

4 looks, every object linked to the exact listing.

Styled render — not a photo of Stern Hall.

Dorm shopping guides: Mini fridge · Surge protector · Storage bins · Mattress topper · Desk lamp · Bedding sets · Twin XL sheets · Shower caddy · Towels · Shower shoes · Laundry hamper · Area rug · Mirror · Over-door organizer · Closet organizers · Fans (no AC) · Loft bed setup

Sources & verification — last checked Apr 26, 2026

Stern Hall FAQ

Is Stern Hall only for women?: Stern is a womxn-identified residence, meaning it is open to students who self-identify as womxn. That includes first-year students, transfers, and continuing upper-division students — the hall is not exclusively for freshmen. The mix of class years on the floors gives Stern a different community feel compared to purely freshman halls. If your student self-identifies as womxn and wants that environment, they can select Stern as a housing preference during the application process. Eligibility is determined by self-identification — confirm through Berkeley Housing's application before listing it as a preference to make sure the process matches your student's situation.
Does Stern Hall have air conditioning?: No — Stern Hall has no air conditioning. Like all UC Berkeley residence halls, Stern has no AC and portable AC units are explicitly prohibited under the Residential Code of Conduct. The building dates to 1942, designed by William Wurster in a historic style, which means ventilation is older-style — less efficient at moving air through the building than modern construction. Berkeley's climate is mild for most of the year, but August move-in in a historic building can feel warm. A quality tower or box fan is worth prioritizing on your packing list. Avoid fans with a heating element, which are separately prohibited.
What makes Stern different from other Berkeley freshman halls?: Several things set Stern apart from other Berkeley freshman halls. The womxn-identified community is the defining characteristic — it shapes the social environment in ways that many students find supportive and intentional. The 1942 William Wurster architecture gives the building a historic character that most other halls don't have. Rooms at Stern are carpeted, which is uncommon among Berkeley halls and makes the space feel more home-like. On-site amenities include a fitness center, laundry, mail, a recreation room, and bike storage. And unlike most freshman halls, Stern also houses transfers and continuing upper-division students, creating a mixed-class-year community on the floors.
What does Stern provide in the room, and what do we need to bring?: Stern provides a bed frame and XL twin mattress (80"×36" — two inches narrower than a standard XL twin, so shop for sheets labeled 36" wide or sized for a narrow XL), a desk, chair, dresser, mirror, closet, carpet, and a MicroChill unit that combines a mini-fridge and microwave in one appliance. The carpet is a notable addition — most Berkeley halls have bare floors. What you need to bring: XL twin bedding, a desk lamp, a fan (no AC on campus), a shower caddy, towels, and toiletries. On-site at Stern: fitness center, laundry, recreation room, and bike storage, so you'll use the building for more than just sleeping.
Is Stern Hall a good hall to live in?: That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Stern Hall has XL Twin · 80"×36" beds with Adjustable frame · clearance varies of under-bed storage, and is not air conditioned. UC Berkeley provides Bed frame & XL twin mattress, desk, chair, dresser, mirror, closet, MicroChill micro-fridge + microwave; carpet, on-site fitness center, laundry, mail, recreation room, bike storage in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Stern Hall stacks up against UC Berkeley's other halls above.

Thinking About Living in Stern Hall Next Year?

If you're choosing housing for next year rather than packing for move-in, here's what's already verified about Stern Hall: it has XL Twin · 80"×36" beds with Adjustable frame · clearance varies of under-bed clearance, and there's no AC, so plan around that. On top of that, the room comes with Bed frame & XL twin mattress, desk, chair, dresser, mirror, closet, MicroChill micro-fridge + microwave; carpet, on-site fitness center, laundry, mail, recreation room, bike storage; you'll need to bring Bedding, desk lamp, fan, shower caddy, rug, towels, toiletries yourself; Portable AC units, halogen lamps, candles, incense, open-flame items, plug-in (non-battery) string lights, heat-producing appliances outside designated kitchens isn't allowed. The full day-to-day breakdown above covers the room, the building, and move-in day in more depth.

Still weighing this hall against others? Our guide on how to pick a dorm covers what actually matters, or see UC Berkeley’s other halls below.

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Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.

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Stern Hall Dorm Checklist 2026

Living in Stern Hall: what to know before you pack

The room

Day to day

Move-in day

See dorm rooms styled

Everything for your Stern Hall room

Fan — pack first

Bedding

Bathroom

Personal Care & Grooming

Self-Care Essentials

Storage & Organization

Closet Space-Savers

Tech & Power

Laundry

Desk & Study

Health & Safety

Comfort & Room

Kitchen & Dining

Misc Essentials

Move-In Day Gear

Stern Hall FAQ

Thinking About Living in Stern Hall Next Year?

More UC Berkeley halls