Our Chairman, Prof. Randy Katz, was 
recently [July 1997] interviewed by two HS students for a history
term project they were doing on "the PC revolution." 
<p>
Here is what they had to say about Soda Hall in this context:

<h2>
Visitation: Soda Hall, UC Berkeley
</h2>

<strong>
In our interview with Mr. Randy Katz, we went into Soda Hall, an extremely
famous building which facilitates UC Berkeley's computer science classes
and offices. We were told that this building is pretty new, made less than
a decade ago, and it looks that way when viewed from the outside. All the
buildings around it are run down and practically ancient, yet Soda Hall's
emerald green marble walls stand out and impress anyone who passes by them.
The building has six floors, the third floor being the entrance level
floor. The inside is what fascinated us the most. The walls are red and
look as if it is an area made for kids. Each office, such as Dr. Katz's
office, was as small as a dorm, with room only for a desk and a few filing
cabinets.
<p>
What goes on inside this building is what got us interested. Every place
you sat, there would be a group of "nerds" discussing their strategy for
their program. One would suggest an idea, but the other would refute it,
stating why, and what another solution might be. Soda Hall is an area with
computer genius at work. Wether trying to pass a final exam or developing
a new operating system, the students in Soda Hall are serious about their
goals. This building may not be a historical monument as of yet, but it is
in a current state of gaining its monumental degree, if persistence is kept.
</strong>