<p>So I’m using Wikipedia to find out more information about the school, environment, dorms, etc., and I come across the wiki article for Bowles Hall (<a href=“Bowles Hall - Wikipedia)%5B/url%5D”>Bowles Hall - Wikipedia)</a>. Looking at all these traditions, it seems like a rather tight-knit, rowdy, and very fun place. However, I am also noticing the info that it has been made into freshman only with much of these traditions and practices shut down. Kinda sad to see that I perhaps wont be able to experience this kind of community. So here I’m asking how the state of affairs is for Bowles. Is it still fun? Is it still worthwhile? Seems to me that the administration are party poopers.</p>
<p>There are several current Bowlesmen on these boards who are more than willing to share their experiences with you. I roomed at Bowles last year, so I’ll withhold from commenting.</p>
<p>Rather, I’d like to the opportunity to encourage you and other spirited individuals to consider Bowles for first-year housing. Whatever your reason for selecting Bowles, be it partying, looking for community, or being an admirer of its architecture, I hope future residents appreciate the uniqueness of the building and become as invested as many past Bowlesmen. Unfortunately, as outlined in the university’s 2020 LRDP, the Hall is among those sites targeted by the Haas Business School as the site for their Center for Executive Development. It would make absolute sense for Haas to look to Bowles because of distance, and also considering the cache and cash behind the business school, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bowles is no longer a undergraduate residence hall in the near future; according to the development plan, wherever the CED is slated the ground will be broken at that site by June 2009. There are only two things stopping Haas from moving forward: (1) Bowles is situated on the Hayward Fault and (2) Bowles tradition. While only the first point carries legal stature, the latter will be important in mobilizing past alumni towards preserving and continuing the rich history at Bowles. </p>
<p>A critical element in preventing the Haas incursion is by carrying past traditions to whatever degree still possible in light of recent changes. If all is completely lost between now and whenever the new site for the CED is selected, it would give the administration the needed momentum to destroy one of the great treasures at Cal. It is your responsibility to NOT LET THAT HAPPEN!!! Go Bears!</p>
<p>Yes! I’ll be applying for housing for Fall, so I’ll hopefully be moving in. I’ve just been entertaining the notion that when I get there, I get together all the Bowlesmen of that year, educate them on these traditions, get in contact with past alumni to assist us, and launch some movement to get the place to how it was in the past.</p>
<p>The question now is: What are the chances of that plan being successful?</p>
<p>I would say it’s an ambitious plan. However, it would require someone with a lot of motivation and leadership ability for it to happen. Do you have what it takes? Wait until you arrive on campus and find out!</p>
<p>Considering the fact that RA monitering at Bowles is very, VERY loose, it’s a surprise that place isn’t as crazy as it used to be.</p>
<p>i was co-president of bowles last semester. We have been in contact with alumni, the Bowles Hall Alumni Association.</p>
<p>Traditions: some of the traditions are still intact, however, the RA’s and the residential director of bowles are obsessed with one thing: political correctness and not wanting to offend ANYONE. sometimes they treat you like children, but we have fun anyways. There’s singing every thursday night for those who want to go.</p>
<p>The problem is,…it’s all freshman, and there are a lot of lame ass individuals who just want to study and have no good times, who don’t want to do anything risky and what not.</p>
<p>Also,…on the RA situation @ bowles. it’s not that the monitoring is loose, it’s that the rooms are set up for partying, so EVERYONE who parties gets away with it 95% of the time. However, this place has become a bit of a POW camp. I have one RA who tries to write me and my friends up, because our floor is known for being a social floor.</p>
<p>If you want to come to bowles and loosen it up, by al means, please try. But untill we get rid of these effing RA’s, make the dorms cheaper, and allow for there to be upper class men, traditions, rowdiness, and good times are going to be hampered at the expense of political correctness, and the University’s fear of being sued.</p>
<p>It’s also a HUGE rip off, close to 12k for 9 months is nuts.</p>
<p>Good luck on that though suave, most people learn the traditions really quick, but most people don’t really care that much.</p>
<p>The difficulty in managing the situation at Bowles is that in addition to the expectation that residents are to be rowdy, there is an added expectation that the site of rowdiness should be the Hall, itself. Arguably, this is why residents of <em>regular</em> dorms want to come to Bowles to see what it is like; the unfortunate part is that there is not much to show, nowadays, and the luster has certainly begun to worn off. </p>
<p>Until policy changes, one’s experience at Bowles from here on end will be inextricably tied to the cooperativeness of the Resident Assistants. Depending on the group of individuals “in charge” (they’re more like hall monitors than anything else, empowered with slips that can set you back community service hours for insubordination), they can either be facilitators or inhibitors, and the latter presents a tough code to crack. Last year I was fortunate to be surrounded by well-meaning RA’s, although I am almost certain this year’s group is, um, well let’s just say they are not ideal (I know most of the current RA’s as fellow Bowlesmen last year and they are possibly the worst lot you can find RA’ing- I truly feel sorry for you all).</p>
<p>I would surmise that Hall powers are not derived from the Hall Association (President, VP, and other “leaders”), but from the RA’s. If one were to seek to influence the direction of Bowles, then the preferred route would be through becoming an RA. If you could gather a group of dedicated Bowlesmen and try to make it through the RA selection process and find your way back to Bowles, you’ll be able to accomplish much much more. Just a thought.</p>
<p>the A.S.S.H.O.L.E. is funny, he’s the comedian at bowles who performs during HallAss meetings. We don’t have one this semester, but the one last semester kicked a$$!!! ;)</p>
<p>hahaha,…and who…pray tell, was that A.S.S.H.O.L.E. biggie smalls??</p>