Application and Cancellation Process for the Residence Halls
The application process for the residence halls varies, depending on if the applicant is a freshman, a transfer student, or a returning student, and whether the application is for fall quarter, for winter or spring quarter, or for summer session. Refer to the appropriate section below for specific application information. For information about canceling a residence hall application or contract, refer to the section below titled Cancellation Process.
Freshman Students – Fall Quarter
Incoming freshmen who are admitted for fall quarter and who have submitted their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by the campus deadline will receive a housing contract offer. These students will be notified by email that the application process has begun; they will also receive application materials via mail. After receiving notification, incoming students may apply for student housing online.
Note: incoming students cannot apply for student housing until they have been notified that the application process has begun; the application process typically begins in mid-May.
To apply:
- Go to MyAdmissions and click on “Housing Application Request” to begin the Housing Application
- Read the Terms of Use in the MyAdmissions application
- Refer to Assignment Criteria when selecting residence hall preferences in the Housing Application
- Refer to the Contract Information document on the Publications and Forms page for more information about residence hall options and rates
- Input roommate requests if applicable, and/or select applicable theme or academic theme programs
- Complete the application; review and accept the Residence Hall Contract and Conditions of Contract; electronically sign the contract; applicants under the age of 18 must have their parents and/or guardians electronically sign the contract
- Pay the reservation fee if submitting it online; click on “Pay my reservation fee” in the application to electronically submit a payment
- Complete the application by the application deadline; refer to the Student Housing Calendar for important housing dates and deadlines
The reservation fee is due by the application deadline, and can be paid online when the application is submitted; click on “Pay my reservation fee” to submit a payment. The reservation fee can also be sent by mail. Note: submission of the reservation fee is considered part of the application completion process.
Be sure to complete the application by the deadline in order to qualify for guaranteed housing. Applicants who file their SIR after the campus deadline or submit their housing application after the application deadline will be offered housing based upon available space; contact Student Housing to be placed on a waiting list.
Incoming residents will be advised of their room information in August via their UC Davis email account that their assignments have been posted, including their housing location, roommates’ and suitemates’ (if applicable) names, email addresses and phone numbers. To retrieve assignment information, log back into MyAdmissions and return to the “Housing Application Request” page. In addition, future residents should continue to monitor this page for new notices and updates.
Freshman Students – Winter or Spring Quarter
Incoming freshmen who are admitted for winter or spring quarter are eligible to live in the residence halls, but because residence hall contracts extend the entire academic year (and subsequently the vacancy rate is low), applicants will be offered housing only as space becomes available. Applicants should contact Student Housing and request to be placed on a waiting list. Additional instructions will be included if a contract is offered.
Transfer Students
Transfer students may contact Student Housing to request to be placed on the transfer application waitlist. Transfer students are offered contracts based upon available space according to a first-come, first-served basis, until all spaces are filled. Transfer students will be notified if they are offered a housing contract; additional information will be included in the contract offer, including the application deadline and how to apply online. Applications should be submitted online through the housing channel on MyUCDavis. The reservation fee is due by the application deadline. Applicants should read the Contract Information document on the Publications and Forms page for additional application information. Incoming residents will be advised of their room information by email.
Students who miss their deadlines will forfeit their spot on the list and will need to contact Student Housing to be added back to the transfer application list. All contact forms need to be submitted along with the reservation fee by the deadline in order to receive a space in the residence halls. Transfer students over the age of 24 will be referred to campus apartments, including Primero Grove and The Colleges at LaRue.
Returning Students
Student Housing provides an opportunity for current residence hall residents to indicate their interest in living in the residence halls for the next academic year during the spring quarter. Residents interested in returning to the residence halls will be directed to the Housing channel on MyUCDavis to add their name to the returning students waiting list; students will be notified via their UC Davis email account when the waiting list has been established.
To be eligible for consideration, a student must be a citizen in good standing whose account is in good standing. Students will be notified in June via their UC Davis email account whether they will be offered contracts for the following year; additional instructions will be included if a contract is offered.
Summer Session Students
The residence halls are managed during the summer by Conference Housing. Students who wish to apply for residence hall housing for either summer session should visit Conference Housing's Summer Session webpage for application information. Completed contracts must be submitted with full payment to Conference Housing by the application deadline.
Residence Hall Contract Highlights
Students must sign a contract to live in the residence halls. The contract is a legally binding document which delineates terms and conditions of the agreement between the university and the resident. For students younger than 18, both students and parents should review the terms and conditions of the contract before signing.
Important aspects of the contract include:
- The contract is for a full academic year and includes room and board; there are no provisions for room-only accommodations in the residence halls
- The contract is for a space in the residence halls; the university does not guarantee specific spaces, areas, halls, or rooms to residents, and reserves the right to reassign residents if necessary
- Section 9 of the contract contains specific information and outlines requirements pertaining to contract termination and refunds; when other documentation, including online documentation, differs from the contract, the contract’s terms and conditions shall prevail
- Residents must abide by all terms of the contract and university regulations at all times; Student Housing may terminate the contract for student misconduct or policy violations
- Residence hall rules prohibit the following:
- Use or possession of any alcoholic beverages in the residence hall or on the grounds, except as specifically outlined in campus regulations; refer to the Guide to Residence Hall Life
- Smoking in the residence halls
- Fireworks, ammunition, explosives, pyrotechnics, or flammable materials in the residence hall area
- Weapons in the residence hall; California law makes it a criminal offense for any person to bring or possess firearms on University grounds without permission (see California Penal Code Section 626.9). Permit applications and storage facilities for firearms are available at the Campus Police Department
- Pets in the residence halls
- Repairs or alterations to the residence hall by students, except as authorized by Student Housing maintenance personnel
- Use of electrical cooking appliances and hot air popcorn makers in student rooms; exceptions are coffee pots, microwaves using 750 watts or less, and MicroFridges approved by Student Housing; small appliances may also be used in the kitchenettes
- Altered or adapted electrical outlets and equipment; multi-use or light duty extension cords (extension cords must be heavy duty, single plug and UL approved); zip cords; worn, cracked or exposed (bare) wiring; splices in cords; and overloaded circuits
- Student access to any sunscreens or roofs in the residence halls
- Tampering with fire protection equipment or fire alarm apparatus (see California Penal Code Section 148.4)
- Disruptive use of stereos, amplified sound equipment or other devices; repeated infractions of this rule may result in an order to remove from the residence halls any and all offending stereos, equipment, or other devices; students must follow all stated quiet hours
- Sports in hallways and walkways
- The university is not liable for loss, damage or destruction of personal property kept in the residence halls unless due to negligence; the university does not offer renter's insurance. (Section 5.d)
Cancellation Process
Applicants and eligible residents may request to cancel their residence halls application or void their contract by contacting Student Housing.
Refer to Cancellation Process for the Residence Halls for instructions for canceling an application or for information about canceling a Residence Hall Contract, including how to file an Appeal for Contract Release.