Resources for Students on Housing Waiting List

To: Students on the general waitlist for fall 2022 campus housing

Date: August 16, 2022

Dear student,

With approximately a month until the fall quarter begins, we are again reaching out to you because you are on the general waitlist for university housing. We want to remind you of important resources that are available to help you secure other housing.

All campus housing communities have assigned the majority of housing spaces on campus. At this time, we have one spot on campus for every 11 students currently on the waitlist. Interest in on-campus housing remains extremely high and, unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate most students who remain on the waitlist.

To help us better understand your situation for identifying off-campus housing in the Santa Cruz area, we ask that you please complete a brief housing prospect survey. Please know responses to this survey are for informational purposes only and will not affect how the waitlist will be managed.

Though you are welcome to keep your application on the wait list in case a space does become available, we strongly encourage you to actively pursue off-campus housing as your primary option. To assist you, please utilize these tips and resources:

• An online Renters Workshop to help optimize your rental search and learn your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Upon completion of the online course you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion to show landlords you are a knowledgeable prospective tenant.
• Rental Application Packet: create a packet for you and your prospective housemates using sample forms.
• Rental Listings: The Places4Students.com lists off-campus rentals in the communities surrounding UCSC. You may also view prospective roommate profiles that can assist you in identifying like-minded individuals to join together in your search for off-campus rentals. Roommate profiles are also useful to students already in a rental situation who are seeking additional housemates. Viewing of rental listings and roommate profiles is restricted to UCSC affiliates so this is a great resource for all UCSC students!
  • Tip! Set up a Smart Search in Places4Students.com to find listings that match your preferences and to get email notifications when new matching listings are posted.
• Talk to friends about your plans: many students find housing by word of mouth!
• Places to stay while looking for housing: various local hotels offer discounted weekly rates or discounts to UCSC affiliates. Contact the hotels directly and ask about any available discounts.

If you opt to keep your application on the housing waitlist, keep this important reminder in mind: Be flexible in your options. The most common room type that may become available is a residence hall triple. If this room type is not among your preferences, consider returning to the Housing Portal to update the room preferences listed in your housing application.

We recognize the search for off-campus housing can be stressful and time-consuming. As such, we wanted to offer this essential update so that you can continue your efforts to secure housing for the fall quarter.

Sincerely,

Sue Matthews
Associate Vice Chancellor
Colleges, Housing and Educational Services