What to Bring
What’s in a Room
Student rooms are furnished. Each student is provided with the following:
- Extra-long twin bed and mattress (39"x80")
- Desk
- Chair
- Bookshelf
- Clothing storage (closet/dresser or wardrobe unit)
- 1-2 trash and recycling cans - shared with roommates
What to Bring
Recommended items for all students:
- Bedding: extra-long twin sheets (39”x80”), blankets, pillows, pillow cases
- Bath: towels, bathrobe, shower caddy, shower shoes
- Decorations
- Emergency kit
- Face masks, hand sanitizer, thermometer
- Hangers
- Headphones, ear plugs
- Lamp/Desk light, light bulbs–compact fluorescent bulbs or LED, no halogen
- Laundry items: basket, detergent
- Computer and lock
- Personal and school supplies
- Power strip with surge protection
- Rain gear, umbrella
- Reusable water bottle, travel mug, plate, bowl, cup, and flatware
Space-Saving Packing Tips
Keep in mind that the rooms on campus have very limited storage! Aim to only pack items you know you will use regularly.
- Avoid duplicates. Coordinate with roommates on items that can be shared, like a MicroFridge (see details below), coffee maker, and fan.
- Think of it like packing for a long trip. Pack only what you need right away, and plan to swap out seasonal clothing and gear later in the year.
- Save space and reduce waste. Unbox new items at home, and use storage containers (like underbed bins) that can do double-duty for moving and organizing your belongings.
It is okay to have a mini-fridge and/or microwave. Coordinate with your roommate(s) to make sure there is only one of each appliance in the room. This will save you time, energy, and money, and will help you make the best use of space in your room!
Rent a MicroFridge mini-fridge and microwave combo from CollegeFridge.com/ucsc.
Collegeboxes Ship to School Service
UC Santa Cruz partners with Collegeboxes to provide a seamless, affordable, and safe way for students to move to school.
How it Works
- Pack and label belongings
- FedEx picks up or drop off at any FedEx Shipping Center.
- Belongings delivered to your UCSC room before you arrive at school.
You can now move to school with just a backpack!
Students in Apartments
(coordinate with housemates to avoid duplications)
- Dishes, flatware, dish towels
- Coffee maker and/or Electric Kettle
- Pots and pans, cooking utensils
- Toaster (for apartment kitchens only; not allowed in other rooms)
- Toilet tissue
- Bike, helmet, light, and lock
- Cleaning/disinfecting supplies
- Games or sports equipment
What NOT to Bring
- Air conditioning units (window/portable) and space heaters
- Alcohol or other drugs and paraphernalia, including medical marijuana
- Amplified instruments or drum sets
- BBQ grills, charcoal, lighter fluid, propane
- Candles, lanterns, incense or incense-like materials, smoking devices, or other fire hazardous items
- Cooking equipment with exposed heating elements (e.g. hot plates, toasters, toaster ovens, etc.). These are NOT allowed in residence halls or other areas not intended for cooking.
- Disposable/single-use water bottles (invest in a refillable water container instead)
- Extension cords (without an internal circuit breaker)
- Firearms, knives, other weapons, and ammunition
- Fireworks
- Halogen lamps or lava lamps
- Paintball guns, airguns, BB guns
- Pets (except fish, in up to 10-gallon tank)
- Second-hand furniture
- Skateboards, roller skates, in-line skates, or hoverboards
Important Technology Considerations
In order to make the most of your educational and personal entertainment needs when using the campus’s network, there are several important details to consider.
- Important: If you plan to bring a desktop computer it must have a Wi-Fi adapter installed. The current recommended specs for your PCIe or USB Wi-Fi adapter are for it to support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).
- Cable television is available to residents via Xfinity on Campus . If you plan to use a television set, a Roku or Fire TV is required. Chromecasts are not supported.
- UCSC uses Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). MFA, also known as two-step or 2-factor authentication, adds a second layer of protection to your UCSC account in addition to your username and password. MFA requires a device in addition to your primary computer, laptop, or tablet.
- Student rooms do not have access to the internet via Ethernet ports*. All internet access is wireless. More information about getting connected ». An Ethernet port may be present in some student rooms but these are not activated. *Some residence halls at Merrill, Crown, and University Town Center have ethernet service. See wired ResNet information page for details.
- Wireless routers are not allowed in upgraded ResWiFi locations.
- If you plan to bring a printer to campus, you can print wirelessly using Wi-Fi Direct or by connecting a USB cable. Standard wireless printers are incompatible with campus wireless networks.
- ResWiFi doesn’t guarantee support for certain smart devices such as Chromecasts or Sonos speakers. Gaming consoles and streaming devices can be self enrolled. Visit the Getting Connected page to learn more.
For more information regarding device compatibility as well as for instructions on how to get help, please call, email, or open a ticket with the ResNet office.
Slug Support
Slug support case managers are available to assist students facing a wide variety of issues.
When to reach out to Slug Support:
- If a student needs support with basic needs such as homelessness, food, financial support or getting connected to campus resources
- There is concern about a student’s ability to adjust to the college environment
- Have questions about support networks and organizations here on UCSC Campus
- Student may not be in crisis, but would benefit from additional support and resources
See Also
