Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find out about applying for housing if I'm a newly admitted student?

After accepting your Offer of Admission you can apply for Housing in the Enrollement Checklist. For more informaiton and important deadlines please visit the Housing Website.

What do I do if I have questions about Room Selection?

Visit Housing, Dining and Hospitality Room Assignment Websites.

When will I get my mailbox combination?

You will receive your mailbox combination when you have turned in your room inventory form/move-in checklist to the Residence Life Office after moving in and speaking with your roommates.

How do I request a roommate?

Roommates are assigned based on responses to the Personal History Form, however, if you would like to request a specific person to be your roommate please follow these steps:

Send an email to the ERC Residence Life Office stating your name and the name(s) of the person you would like to live with. PLEASE NOTE: With all the rooms at ERC being tripled this year, you should seriously consider requesting two roommates, as we will place roommate requests in triples depending on their housing application date.
The person(s) you would like to live with must also send an email to ERC Residence Life requesting you.
These requests must be mutual, same-gender, and will only be honored if the students are assigned to the same neighborhood.
ERC Residence Life will do its best to accommodate your request, however they are not guaranteed.

What if I don't get along with my roommate?

The first step is to speak with your roommate or apartment about the problem (e.g. cleaning, noise, etc.) If you haven't, talk to them about a possible solution. If you feel uncomfortable approaching them, you can go to your Resident Advisor (RA) for assistance, or to talk about possible approaches. The Resident Advisor has been trained to assist you in working out roommate conflicts. If the problem persists after the RA has been involved, the Resident Dean’s professional staff can assist in a resolution.

Can I have an overnight guest?

Students can have guests stay overnight for up to three days with prior discussion and approval of their roommates. Guests may not sleep in public areas (e.g. residence hall suite lounges). You must notify your RA when you will have a guest staying overnight for security and emergency reasons.

What if I have questions about on-campus contracts, meal plan changes, or billing?

Please call the Housing and Dining Office at (858) 534-4010 or visit their web site at http://hdh.ucsd.edu.

When should I look for housing next year and where is helpful information available?

For continuing students, information about living on campus for the following year will become available in April. Information is sent to current on-campus students' mailboxes at their on-campus address. There will also information available at the Housing website at http://hdh.ucsd.edu. If a student is interested in living off campus, it is recommended by the Off Campus Housing office at UCSD that they start looking for off-campus housing four to six weeks before they are ready to move. A list of frequently asked questions, resources, and housing listings is available at Commuter Student Services. The Off Campus Housing office holds workshops during spring quarter.

Where can I practice piano?

There is also two practice pianos in the Middle Earth Lounge available outside of quiet hours. Quiet hours are as follow: Sunday - Thursday 10:00 pm - 7:00 am & Friday - Saturday 12:00am (midnight) - 9:00 am. Please be mindful of others around you and bring your headphones/earphones to enjoy your music discreetly.

What is included in a residence hall?

Each residence hall has 8 suites, 2 on each floor, and a common lounge on the first floor. All floors are accessible by an elevator. All Residence hall suite common areas are provided 2 dining tables, 4 desk chairs, a large couch, and a coffee table and a trash can. Each bathroom has a 4 sinks, 3 toilets, and 3 showers. Within the individual rooms, triples will have 3 desks, 3 desk chairs, 2 closest, a wardrobe (for the resident in the loft bed), a loft bed, and a bunk bed in addition to 3 trash cans and 3 recycling bins. A single will be provided with a bed, desk chair, desk, dresser, trash can, and recycling bin. All beds are twin Xls. The Residence halls common lounges provides residents with a kitchen space with a sink, oven, and stovetop as well as couches and tables to study and socialize.

What is included in an apartment?

All apartments have a kitchen with a refrigerator, sink, oven, stovetop, trash can, and recycling bin. In addition, each apartment living room will have a couch, a chair, 3 desk chairs, a dining room table, and a coffee table. The rooms, which are either single or double, will have a desk, desk chair, a dresser, as many beds as residents, trash can, and recycling bin. All beds are twin XL. The Bathrooms have two sinks, a shower, and a toilet.

What to bring & what not to bring?

For ease at move-in: Use rolling luggage and pack smaller boxes that are easy to carry. Invest in a small hand cart or collapsible dolly to transport boxes.
Towels, pillows, mattress pad, blankets, bed linens, and bedspread (NOTE: Beds are twin size, extra long, approximately 35 x 80”). Bed linens and other amenities may be purchased at major department stores such as Macy’s and Target or ordered online through a number of different vendors.
Personal computer. Check UCSD Residential Networking (UCSD ResNet) on-line or more information about computer requirements, recommendations, or setting up your connection (https://acms.ucsd.edu/students/resnet/get-connected/devices.html).
Electrical power strip with multiple outlets and surge protection features. (Permanent use of extension cords without these safety features is discouraged.)
Study lamp (small fluorescent or incandescent only; halogen lamps are not allowed because of fire hazard).
A reliable personal alarm (Cell phone, computer, tablet, laptop, or alarm clock – or a combination of alarms for heavy sleepers)
Social security card (important for employment paperwork); passport (required for travel to Mexico); copies of personal records such as birth certificate, proof of health insurance and renter’s insurance (or if covered by their parents insurance), car insurance/auto club (if they bring their car), and immunizations or pertinent medical records.
Personal first aid kit & flashlight. Visit the Red Cross site (http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit) for tips on what to include.
Plastic storage boxes or baskets. (Room dimensions can be found at http://hdh.ucsd.edu/housing/erc.asp).
Laundry basket or bag, detergent, dryer sheets; make sure you open a Triton Cash account for access (and laundry lessons if you need them)!

Any and all pets or animals except fish living in aquariums no larger than 30 gallons.
Electric hot plates, hibachi grills, George Foreman-type indoor grills and other cooking appliances with exposed heating elements.
Fireworks, firearms, martial arts equipment, and other weapons (equipment used for sports purposes may need registration with Athletics).
Candles, incense, BBQs, fire pots and other sources of open flame.
Extra furniture (there just isn’t any room). If you desire extra seating, bring a floor cushion or folding chair that can be stored when not in use. Please check the lists above for furniture dimensions.
Amplifiers or large stereos with sub-woofers; large home theatre systems (drums and amplified instruments may not be played in the residential areas).

Note on Hanging and/or Attaching Items to the Walls: If you plan on bringing posters or pictures to hang in your room or apartment, please purchase non-staining and non-marring adhesive mounting putty such as Tac-Stick or removable fasteners such as 3M Command Adhesive (most major home and hardware stores carry these items) - nails and hooks are not allowed due to the damage caused in walls or ceilings. Please note that you are not allowed to drill or nail anything into the walls to install bookcases, shelves, etc.

Can I change the height of my bed?

Yes, you can! Please submit a Fix-It request and maintenance will come do it safely for you.