Frequently Asked Questions
The transition to college can be simultaneously exciting and nerve-wracking. At College Nine and John R. Lewis College, we want to make sure you are well prepared for your move. Please take a moment to read through the information below as it might answer some pressing questions.
For more Frequently Asked Questions, such as guest policy, meal plan information or other resources, please take a look at the Student Housing website.
How and why did I get assigned to my particular room?
What can I expect living on a mixed-gender floor?
What type of facility areas are available to study outside of my room?
Can I cancel my housing after I've moved in?
Do the rooms have internet access?
Can I change the height of my bed?
What's provided in my room and/or apartment?
Where can I get a refrigerator or microwave?
How and why did I get assigned to my particular room?
You were assigned housing based on the room types you said you would or would not prefer on your housing application. The ranking of room type preference was considered, but did not insure a specific placement. As space became limited, some students were assigned rooms that they did not state they were interested in.
Roommate assignments were made with considerable attention to the living preferences and personal statement included in your application. This was an important factor in determining the type of room you were assigned.
What can I expect living on a mixed-gender floor?
Feedback from past residents indicates that living on a mixed-gender floor is usually a very positive experience. Your Resident Assistant (RA) may decide to have the residents on your floor vote on whether or not to keep the bathrooms on the floor mixed-gender, but most choose to leave them as is unless there is enough demand. Any concerns about the mixed-gender bathrooms that arise after you have taken up residence may be addressed to your RA or Coordinator for Residential Education (CRE).
Priority placement was given to students who indicated on their housing application that they would strongly prefer an all female floor. Due to lack of demand, no all male floor is offered.
What type of facility areas are available to study outside of my room?
Across College Nine and John R. Lewis College there are different study locations students can use. In our Residence Halls, some first floors have annex study rooms and most have foyers located in the center of all floors for members to gather. In our Apartments, spaces include the Community Room, an annex and Lounge area to study. Additional locations around our Colleges include the Namaste Lounge, the Recreation Lounge, the Terry Freitas Cafe, and the John R. Lewis College Library. Above the Dining Hall, the University Center provides a lobby/study area with a coffee shop and restaurant for students' convenience.
Can I change my housing?
At this point, housing changes will only be made under very exceptional circumstances. Students are held to the information provided in their housing application and changes in housing assignments will not be made at this time. At the beginning of Fall Quarter there is a two to three-week 'freeze' period where no students are allowed to move. After the conclusion of this period, students may meet with their CRE to discuss a room change. Room changes are based on CRE recommendation and what is available at the requested time. All changes must be requests may be made initiated via this form.
Can I cancel my housing after I've moved in?
Yes. We require 48-hours or two business days written forewarning before students can move out. After the housing office receives notice, we will send instructions on how to move out. Once a student has fully moved out, we will cancel their housing application. The student may be charged a cancelation fee and will be prorated based on length of residence.
If a student moves out without informing the housing office, they will be charged until notice is given at which point they may be charged through the 48-hour business day notice period.
Do the rooms have internet access?
ResNet, another campus-owned service, provides free wireless Internet access and computing support to all College 9 and John R Lewis College buildings. Students will not be able to connect to the internet via ethernet. If you have a device that does not support wireless connections, we suggest you purchase a wifi adapter. For further information regarding ResWiFi, please visit https://its.ucsc.edu/resnet/.
Can I change the height of my bed?
No. Due to safety reasons, your bed must remain as it is. If you have a medical need for your bed to be a certain height, please work with our Disability Resource Center to get a housing accommodation.
What's provided in my room and/or apartment?
Each bedroom has a bed with an extra-long twin mattress, desk, chair, bookshelf, dresser, and closet or wardrobe. Additional amenities in the bedrooms include WiFi connection, wastebasket, overhead light, and window shades. For those living in the apartments, living rooms/kitchens are furnished with a dining table and chairs, sofa, armchair, small tables, and a lamp. The kitchen is equipped with a sink, gas stove/oven, and full-size refrigerator.
What should I bring?
- Clothes for rain
- Desk lamp
- Alarm clock (with batteries)
- Laundry supplies
- Extra-long twin sheets
- Toiletries (shower items, toothbrush, toothpaste, towels, etc.)
- Comfortable shoes
- Plants, posters, decorative items
- Flashlight
- Telephone (one per bedroom)
- Blankets, pillows
- Surge protector
- Dishes and kitchen/cooking supplies (apartment residents only)
What should I not bring?
- Halogen lights
- Large furniture items
- Candles, kerosene lamps
- Adhesive hooks, large nails
- Skateboards, rollerblades (both are banned on campus)
- Pets (with the exception of fish in 10 gallon or less tanks)
- Amplified instruments (unless used with headphones or in practice rooms)
- Glow in the dark stars and stickers
- Extension cords/octopus plugs
- Weapons of any kind
- Paint
Where can I get a refrigerator or microwave?
Both mini-refrigerators and microwaves are allowed in the residential halls/apartments. You can purchase a mini-fridge at the Bay Tree Bookstore in white or black ranging from $99-$129. Another option is to rent a MicroFridge through our campus partner Collegiate Concepts for the school year and have it delivered to your room! Please visit the Baytree Bookstore for information on how to rent. We encourage you to contact your roommate prior to move in to coordinate bringing these and other items (i.e. a TV, computer printer, etc.).
Where do I do my laundry?
There are laundry rooms around the college. The cost of one load is $1.00 to wash and $0.75 to dry. Use your credit card or debit card to wash and dry!
What's my address?
You will be assigned a specific mailbox upon arrival.
Your address will be:
Student Name
UCSC John R. Lewis College, box XXX
710 John R. Lewis College Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Can I prop my door open?
Propping of doors is a both a security and fire safety concern, as it can lead to the spreading of fire. Please note the following:
- You cannot use your trashcans to prop open your door - this damages the trashcans which you will be responsible for paying for the replacement.
- You cannot steal doorstops from bathrooms - maintenance staff needs these to prop open doors when cleaning the bathrooms and they must remain there.
- You cannot leave your door propped open when not in the room - for security reasons, it is best to close your door and make sure it is locked whenever you are not in your room. This will deter incidents of theft.
