Living at UCSC allows students to make the most of their college experience. After all, students are only here for about four years…don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime chance to experience all that UCSC has to offer!

Great reasons to live on campus

Living on campus means living with friends in a community that is different from any other. Themed living/learning housing allows students to live with or next door to students with like interests, such as diversity awareness, outdoor adventure, academic achievement, science learning, gaming, arts and music. There are many different and exciting options at each college. In addition, campus residents are introduced to individuals they otherwise would not have had the opportunity to know, and often build bonds of friendship that remain strong long after they leave UCSC.

I have made life-long friendships with people I never would have met had I not lived with them on campus. —Daisy D., senior

Make it easy to do well in school. Recent research indicates that students who live on campus are more satisfied with their college experience, earn higher grade point averages, and are more likely to graduate. University housing provides residents with the traditional amenities and more. All rooms include ethernet service, which provides direct access to online campus resources (classes, study groups, and library resources), the internet, and email. Living on campus provides easy access to campus computer labs, libraries, study rooms, dining services, recreational facilities including cardiovascular and weight training machines, swimming pool, tennis courts, and gyms.

Live and interact with dedicated professional and student staff members. Each residential community has a team of staff members who work cooperatively to build and maintain a feeling of community. Staff members are available to assist students with personal and academic concerns, and act as resources to residents by serving as liaisons between the University and students.

Sleep more, drive less. Students who live off campus often find themselves sitting in traffic and wondering if they will make it to class on time. Living on campus means avoiding the hassle of commuting to and from campus once or twice a day, while enjoying the convenience of living near the library, dining halls, restaurants, gym, professors, computer labs, and all the other campus facilities.

Avoid the hassles of off-campus living. At first glance, living off campus may seem like an appealing option. But, when you consider ALL the costs (furniture, first and last months rent, deposits, water, electricity, gas, cable service, Internet service, phone service, grocery shopping, meal preparation, clean up, etc.) you'll find that living in Santa Cruz can be very expensive.

• Save time, aggravation and problems by making one payment that covers ALL the costs, including rent, meals, utilities, furniture, amenities, and shuttle transportation around campus.
• By living on campus students avoid the hassles of setting up utilities, paying monthly bills, and wasting time commuting to and from class, the library, or the gym.
• And, when on campus residents go home for summer or graduate, they don’t have to worry about getting back a security deposit, selling furniture, or terminating utility services.

UCSC strives to provide students with a living and learning environment that complements their educational experience. Campus residents have the opportunity to enhance their educational experience by participating in communities activities like field trips, film series, faculty speakers, open mic events (and much more...). In addition, living at UCSC provides students with more opportunities to interact with staff and faculty who can provide invaluable personal guidance, career guidance, career connections, and leadership opportunities. Students find that with this involvement they achieve more professional growth and they are stronger candidates when they pursue their career goals.

Campus safety is a priority at UCSC. The campus Police Department and Residential Life & Housing staff members are available 24 hours a day to make sure students are safe. All residence halls have controlled access and are equipped with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. In addition, the availability of the campus shuttles allows students to travel the campus feeling safe.

Live, Learn, Thrive...on Campus