Porter College - Visiting Housing Guide - Frequently Asked Questions, Policies, Rates

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I receive my housing assignment?
Your housing assignment, including roommate information, will be sent to your UCSC email account in late August (or mid-December for new winter students). Move-in information will also accompany your housing assignment.

What’s included in the room?
Rooms are furnished and each student will have an extra-long twin bed (39"x80"), desk, chair, closet/dresser or wardrobe unit, and a bookcase or bookshelves.

Is a housing contract for the full academic year?
Yes. Once you submit your application and it is confirmed by the university, your housing application becomes a legally binding contract that is valid for the entire academic year.

When will I get my bill?
Each student has a university billing account with UC Santa Cruz. An invoice is posted on your MyUCSC Portal each month there is activity. The first housing bill for fall quarter is generated in late August and due in September. For new winter admits the first bill is generated in December and due in January.

How do I get my mail and what will my address be?
You will be able to receive mail and packages either at your residential facility or at your college. You will receive your mailbox number when you arrive on campus to move into your room. It is not possible to assign a mailbox prior to arrival and the residential facilities do not have space to store items, so plan to have any packages arrive after you do.

Student reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions

Many students living in the residential buildings make two important discoveries: first, they have more individual freedom than before; and second, the intense academic demands and shared living arrangements require more self-control and individual discipline than ever before.

It is our goal to provide a safe, secure and educational community for all residents.

In that spirit, this list is compiled to highlight some of the policies, rules and regulations (this is by no means a complete list). All of these are in conjunction with the university policies stipulated in the UC Santa Cruz Student Policies and Regulations Handbook and the Terms and Conditions of residence.

It is your responsibility to know the rules of both the college and the university.

Alcohol

Federal and state laws, as well as university policy, prohibit alcoholic beverages from being sold, furnished, possessed by, or given to any person under the age of 21. In addition, no possession or transportation of open containers or consumption of alcoholic beverages will be allowed in common areas by any person, regardless of age or college affiliation. Kegs or other “common source” containers holding alcoholic beverages are not allowed on campus. Displays of alcohol containers are prohibited.

Animals and Pets

No pets (except fish in a 10-gallon or smaller aquarium) are allowed in the residential community. Service and support animals need advance registration and approval and must meet university guidelines. Additional information can be found at UCSC Disability Accommodations and Resources.

Candles, Incense, or Sage

No smoking materials, including but not limited to the items listed above, can be burned or used in any residential room or apartment.

Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia

The university and the college adheres to all federal and state laws as they pertain to illegal substances. Delivering, furnishing, transferring, manufacturing, using, and possessing illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia is strictly prohibited at the university. Drug paraphernalia is defined as all equipment, material, and products intended for use or designed for use in growing, processing, harvesting, storing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing a controlled substance into the human body. Additionally, medical cannabis cards do not provide an exception to the University prohibition of using and/or possessing cannabis on University property. Using and/or possessing recreational cannabis is also prohibited on University property.

Fire Safety

Tampering with (attempting to disable, dismantle, shut off, reset, or remove) any safety equipment, including smoke detectors, fire hoses, extinguishers, sprinkler system equipment, and/or alarm pull stations, is strictly prohibited. This includes covering a smoke detector. Touching or hanging anything from a sprinkler pipe or sprinkler head is prohibited. Individuals are expected to evacuate at the sound of an alarm.

Harassment

Physical and verbal harassment will not be tolerated by students, staff, or faculty and is prohibited on the UC Santa Cruz campus. If any form of harassment occurs, notify a staff member immediately. It is the policy of the university that the working and learning environment shall be free of harassment, including any form of sexual harassment.

Health and Safety

Student shall not engage in any behavior or activity which endangers the health, safety or well-being of any person.

Noise Policy

To preserve academic and community standards, noise levels must be held to a minimum at all times. Students are expected to adhere to campus quiet hours:

Sunday through Thursday 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.,
Friday and Saturday 12 midnight to 10:00 a.m.,
Twenty-four (24) hour quiet hours are in effect beginning at 10:00 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the start of finals and for the remainder of the quarter.

Smoke-free & Tobacco-free Environment

In accordance with University policy, smoking, vaping, the use of e-cigarettes, hookah pens and vape pens, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products nicotine products is prohibited in all UC Santa Cruz facilities, on all University grounds, and on all University-owned and leased properties regardless of location. This policy applies to all indoor and outdoor areas, and is also applicable to all vehicles when on University property and to University-controlled vehicles wherever in use.

Residence Halls 2024-25 Rates

Students assigned to residence halls must choose one of the Slug Points Meal Plans listed below. Price is per person.

	Per Month	Per Quarter	Per Year
Room with Blue Slug Points Meal Plan
Single	$2,381	$7,143	$21,429
Double	$2,127	$6,381	$19,143
Large Triple	$1,804	$5,412	$16,236
Triple	$1,736	$5,208	$15,624
Quad	$1,749	$5,247	$15,741
Quint	$1,704	$5,112	$15,336
Room with Gold Slug Points Meal Plan
Single	$2,551	$7,653	$22,959
Double	$2,297	$6,891	$20,673
Large Triple	$1,974	$5,922	$17,766
Triple	$1,906	$5,718	$17,154
Quad	$1,919	$5,757	$17,271
Quint	$1,874	$5,622	$16,866
Room with Banana Slug Points Meal Plan
Single	$2,849	$8,547	$25,641
Double	$2,595	$7,785	$23,355
Large Triple	$2,272	$6,816	$20,448
Triple	$2,204	$6,612	$19,836
Quad	$2,217	$6,651	$19,953
Quintuple	$2,172	$6,516	$19,548

Apartments 2024-25 Rates

Room rates are per person. No meal plan required; however, voluntary meal plans are available.

Room Type	Per Month	Per Quarter	Per Year
Single	$2,058	$6,174	$18,522
Double	$1,809	$5,427	$16,281
Small Double	$1,400	$4,200	$12,600
Large Triple	$1,450	$4,350	$13,050
Triple	$1,375	$4,125	$12,375
Quad	$1,402	$4,206	$12,618

Room types may vary by residential facility.

Some or all instruction for all or part of the Academic Year may be delivered remotely. Tuition and fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the Academic Year. Figures for tuition and fees represent currently approved or proposed amounts and may not be final. Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California as determined to be necessary or appropriate. Final approved tuition and fee levels may differ from the amounts presented.