Campuswide Theme Housing
Experiential learning. Events and social activities. Supportive community.
Campuswide Theme Housing options offer specialized residential communities open to all students, regardless of college affiliation or the specific college/community selected in your housing application. These spaces are centered around shared interests, academics, and community engagement, and they create opportunities for connection and personal growth.
How Campuswide Theme Housing works
- Indicate your interest: When completing your housing application, you’ll have an opportunity to indicate your interest in various Campuswide Theme Housing options. These options may be located at a different community than the one you selected in your housing application.
- Complete the supplemental questions: After selecting a theme, you’ll answer a few additional questions related to that theme.
- Receive your housing assignment: If you’re placed in your preferred theme, you’ll live in that theme’s dedicated residence area—regardless of your college affiliation.
- Live and engage: Campuswide Theme Housing communities are open to all, and are designed to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of every identity.
Explore our theme housing options
Below is an overview of the Campuswide Theme Housing options—click “Learn more” for additional details on each community’s location, eligibility, and focus. All Campuswide Theme options are open to students of any college affiliation. Keep in mind that if you’re assigned to a theme, you’ll live in that community’s dedicated residence area—even if it’s outside your affiliated college.
ABC Themed Housing
Directly connected to the Office of African, Black, Caribbean (ABC) Student Success and the African American Resource & Cultural Center, ABC themed living-learning communities are 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.
International Living Center (ILC)
A unique living environment composed of both international and domestic students in an apartment/flat style living arrangement. This thriving community of residents from around the world lives and learns together to foster international understanding and form intercultural friendship. Students will have the option to take a 2-unit Intercultural Understanding class in the Fall quarter. Explore your global perspectives!
Native American/Indigenous Themed Housing (NAITH)
Native American/Indigenous Themed Housing (NAITH) is a community intended to create a supportive, home away from home environment for all students, including Indigenous students and their allies. NAITH welcomes students from all experiences — we do not define Indigenous or Native as being only American Indian, tribally enrolled, or expect that residents are traditionally culturally grounded. What is important is the desire to connect with other students whose interests span historical, present-day, and future experiences of Native and Indigenous peoples and be part of the community. NAITH offers the opportunity to further explore cultural, heritage, and tribal connections.
Substance Free Recovery Housing
UCSC’s Substance Free Recovery Housing offers students in recovery an opportunity to live in a supportive, substance-free community. This unique community apartment fosters camaraderie, mutual support, and accountability, with all residents fully committed to living substance-free. Residents are supported by The Cove, UCSC’s Harm Reduction and Recovery Community Center where professional and student staff offer wellness coaching, mentorship, health resources, as well as organizing substance-free events and activities to strengthen the community.
Trans-Inclusive Housing
Trans-Inclusive Housing (TIH) communities are intended to create safer and supportive living spaces for all students, including transgender and non-binary students, students exploring their gender identities, and their allies. In this context, allies are students who advocate for and support members of the gender diverse community and actively contribute to creating a positive, affirming, living environment for people of all gender identities.
More ways to find your community
In addition to the campuswide options described here, many colleges and communities offer interest-based housing opportunities—think social justice, creative expression, gaming, or STEM.