John R. Lewis College
Located next to the Social Sciences buildings and beside a campus nature preserve, John R. Lewis College offers a peaceful setting close to both academic resources and forest trails. Students enjoy shared spaces like the Terry Freitas Commons, community garden, Co-Curricular Programs Office (known as the CoCo), and spacious College Nine/John R. Lewis Dining Hall. Housing options include three residence halls for new and continuing students, and apartments for continuing students.
John R. Lewis College’s required first-year core course: Social Justice and Community
John R. Lewis College residence halls
The three John R. Lewis College residence halls—Ohlone House, Amnesty House, and Angela Davis House—are tucked among the redwoods and offer a supportive residential experience for both new and continuing students. Each building features furnished triple, large triple, and single rooms. Freshmen are generally assigned to live in their college’s residence halls.
Eligibility: Open to new and continuing students
- Three residence halls
- Room types: Triple (most common), large triple, and single
- Floors may be single-gender or mixed-gender
- Bathrooms are all-gender and designed for privacy
- Meal plan included in the housing contract (required for residence hall students)
Residence hall floor plans
Floor plans are for general room layout and configuration. They are not exact in scale. Furniture arrangements vary by room and residence.
Triple
Large Triple
Single
John R. Lewis College apartments
John R. Lewis College’s apartments offer a more independent housing option for continuing students. Each unit includes a full kitchen, living room, bathroom, and WiFi. Ground-floor apartments have decks, and most upper-floor units have balconies. No meal plan is required.
Eligibility: Open to continuing students only
- Apartments include single, small double, triple, and large triple rooms
- Full kitchen, bathroom, and shared living room in every unit
- Bedrooms in apartments are single-gender, but apartments may be single-gender or mixed-gender
- Meal plan not required (not included in housing contract), though voluntary meal plans are available
Apartment virtual tours
Virtual tours are for general room layout and configuration. Furniture arrangements vary by room and residence.
View our virtual tours on YouTube:
Apartment rates
Community living options
When you complete your housing application, you will be asked to rank your preferred room types, as well as indicate interest in specific community living options. At John R. Lewis College, these include floor or apartment gender options, two interest-based themes, and one Campuswide Theme Housing community.
Floor and apartment gender options
Location: Residence halls and apartments
Eligibility: Available to both new and continuing students
- LGBTQIA+ Housing: Open to all students, including students of all identities within the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. This option fosters an open and supportive living environment. Available only in mixed-gender areas.
- Mixed-Gender Housing: Students of any gender live on the same floor or in the same apartment. Bedrooms are single-gender, while bathrooms may be designated mixed-gender with private toilet and shower stalls.
- Single Gender Housing: Students of a single gender live together, with bathrooms primarily used by individuals who identify with that gender. Availability is based on demand, and may not be offered in all room types or theme options.
Quiet
Location: John R. Lewis College residence halls
Eligibility: New and continuing John R. Lewis College applicants
Students in this residence hall community agree to maintain a quiet environment to enhance study.
Rumi’s Field – Nonviolent Communication
Location: John R. Lewis College residence halls
Eligibility: New and continuing John R. Lewis College affiliates
Residents of Rumi’s Field will take a REQUIRED 1-credit course Fall Quarter teaching the skills of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). Instructions on course registration will be shared to the residents in this community in August.
Named after the renowned peace-seeking Sufi poet, Rumi’s Field residence hall theme offers a Living and Learning Community for students who wish to learn about and practice the principles of Nonviolent Communication. Taught and practiced around the globe, NVC strengthens one’s ability to inspire empathy from others and respond compassionately even under difficult circumstances. This mixed community of curious John R. Lewis first-year and continuing students will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue and resolve conflict using NVC consciousness as a tool for personal and societal transformation. The required course is where residents build close bonds and learn about NVC and how it can be used daily in different circumstances, ranging from relationships to social justice activism. Supplemental application questions required.
ABC Community @ NIJL
Location: College Nine/John R. Lewis College apartments.
Eligibility: Open to students of any college affiliation; supplementary application questions required.
ABC is one of UCSC’s Campuswide Theme Housing options, with communities located at several colleges—including this one at College Nine. Directly connected to the Office of African, Black, Caribbean (ABC) Student Success and the African American Resource & Cultural Center, and designed for all students whose interests span historical, present-day, and future experiences of predominantly African, Black, and Caribbean peoples, these communities intentionally create space for all students to feel connected, safer, and supported in a community centered on the experiences of African, Black, Caribbean peoples.
Learn more about ABC Themed Housing
Students interested in ABC Themed Housing must select it on the housing application and complete a few supplemental questions
Nearby dining options
Amenities and nearby resources
In addition to the amenities common to all of UCSC’s colleges—like laundry facilities and a secure mailroom—John R. Lewis College is home to a variety of unique features that help define its community.
Dining options
UCSC Dining has lots of locations across campus—these are closest to John R. Lewis College:
- College Nine/John R. Lewis College Dining Hall
- University Center Bistro
- University Center Café
Community spaces and resources
- Terry Freitas Commons
- College Nine/John R. Lewis College Co-Curricular Programs office (known as the CoCo)
- College Nine/John R. Lewis College Garden
- Garden Club (collaboration with College Nine)
- Annual student-run Practical Activism Conference
Community spaces
Campuswide Theme Housing
Campuswide Theme Housing options are open to students of any college affiliation and are centered around shared interests, academics, community engagement, and support.
Location: Various locations across campus.
Eligibility: Open to students of any college affiliation; a few supplementary questions are required in the housing application.
Mail and contact info
Student mailing address
If you’re a John R. Lewis College resident, use the address below as your campus mailing address. Be sure to include your box number!
Student’s Name
UCSC, John R. Lewis College, #XXX
710 John R. Lewis College Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1101
You’ll receive your mailbox number at move-in. Early deliveries cannot be accepted at the residential facilities.
Need to ship items before you arrive?
Learn about Collegeboxes and pre-arrival shipping.
Mailroom information
Hours:
Monday: 10AM – 5PM
Tuesday: 12PM – 5PM
Wednesday: 10AM – 5PM
Thursday: 10AM – 8PM
Friday: 10AM – 5PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED
Contact: For additional mailroom related questions or concerns, please visit RM. 217 in SS1 or email c10mailr@ucsc.edu.
Housing verification letter
After move-in, you can obtain a Housing Verification letter in the Housing Portal if you need to demonstrate that you currently live in UCSC university housing in order to open a bank account, obtain a driver’s license or identification card, or for any other need.
Finding John R. Lewis College on campus
John R. Lewis College is located on the north side of campus, adjacent to College Nine. Use the map above to explore the area or get directions.
Who to contact
John R. Lewis College housing office
Questions about room and roommate assignments, or day-to-day residential life:
Phone: (831) 459-3834
Email: 9HousingJRL@ucsc.edu
Website: John R. Lewis College
UCSC Student Housing Services
Questions about housing application/contract records and room-and-board billing:
Email: housing@ucsc.edu