SEARCH UCI UCI HOME
UCI Student Housing

Click here to start search












UCI Prospective Students
Frequently Asked Questions

 


  • When can I apply for Housing?
  • Admitted students apply online for housing once they have submitted their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) to Admissions. Go to www.admissions.uci.edu and click on 'MyAdmissionApplication@UCI' in order to submit your SIR and proceed to the housing application. Housing applications must be submitted with the $20 processing fee on or before the SIR deadline.  The fee may be paid online with a credit card, or by mail with a check or money order (follow instructions in the online application).  If paying in person, please note that Central Cashier window service hours are 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The 2012-13 online housing application will be available beginning on March 1, 2012.

    Freshmen housing applications must be submitted on or before May 1, 2012. 
    Transfer student housing applications must be submitted on or before 4:30 PM on June 1, 2012. 
  • When will I receive my housing contract?
  • Housing contracts for 2012-13 will be available online. On-time applicants will be emailed instructions and a link to access the contract after the application deadlines. Freshmen will receive housing contract instructions in late May.
    Transfer students will receive housing contract instructions in July.

    Please visit the Important Dates page for a complete list of deadlines and due dates.
  • How do I choose which community I want to live in?
  • It is strongly recommended that you learn about your options before indicating your preferences on the Housing Application and Personal Information Form.

    Freshmen will be asked their community, room, and roommate preferences when they login to complete their online electronic Housing Contract. Students are not guaranteed their first choice preferences.

    Transfer housing applicants will rank order their preferred communities on their application. They must also select two preferred Arroyo Vista theme houses.  House assignments are based on student preferences and space availability. It is strongly recommended that you research your options before stating your preferences on the online Housing Application and Personal Information Form.
  • How are roommates assigned?
  • Roommate assignments are made with the help of information provided on the online Personal Information Form, which is completed when you submit your online housing contract. All roommate assignments are of the same gender. Other factors heavily weighed are theme preferences (res-halls), smoking/non-smoking requests, sleeping habits.

  • What if I have already picked out a roommate?
  • If you and a friend who is also entering UCI want to room together, you can make that request on the online Personal Information Form. To do so, BOTH of you must indicate a desire to live in the same community and you must mutually request one another on your respective Personal Information Forms. Freshmen who want to room together should also provide consistent preferences for community and theme.  While every attempt will be made to honor your roommate request, placement is not guaranteed.
  • When will I find out about my room/roommate assignment?
  • Assignment notification will be mailed (or emailed, depending on community) in early to mid September.
  • Do males and females have separate or mixed accommodations?
  • Mesa Court has single gender suites in coed halls. Middle Earth has mixed gender suites with single gender bathrooms.  Middle Earth also has one all female hall and one gender neutral hall.  Apartments are filled with same gender roommates. Arroyo Vista academic theme houses are coed, but rooms and bathrooms are single gender.
  • What should I bring with me?
  • A list of suggested items to bring will be posted on the Housing Web site with other Move-In Information prior to move in. Some of the more important things include bed linens (twin extra-long), blankets, a pillow, desk clock, desk lamp, and disaster preparedness supplies. You may also refer to the "What to Bring?" Web page for a detailed list of items.

    Please note that upon move-in, you will be provided with a Student Housing Handbook & Planner that runs through the academic year (July-June).
  • Should I bring a computer?
  • Most students bring a computer to campus with them, but there are also computer labs in each housing community and in other campus locations. Just remember that as with all personal property, you are responsible for the security of your computer. Communities offer in-room Internet access for each student. Wireless access can also be found in many areas across the campus.
  • How many people share a bathroom?
  • In the residence halls, single gender bathrooms are shared by 8-12 residents. Arroyo Vista has single gender bathrooms on each floor, shared by 8-12 residents.  In Campus Village, four residents share one bathroom in each student apartment. In Vista del Campo Norte, bathrooms are either private or shared with one other student.
  • Are there facilities for washing and drying clothes?
  • Yes. Card-operated washers and dryers are located in each residence hall and Arroyo Vista house. There are two several community laundry rooms in Campus Village and VDC Norte. The laundry-card machines take cash, credit card and debit card to add value to your laundry-card.
  • What kinds of housekeeping services are provided?
  • Housekeeping services for public areas are provided on a daily basis, Monday through Friday. In Arroyo Vista and the residence halls, weekday cleaning services includes bathrooms.  Individual rooms and apartments are NOT cleaned by the housekeeping staff, although vacuums are available for resident use. Roommates are expected to work together to keep individual rooms clean.
  • What appliances are permitted in student rooms?
  • Small refrigerators (4.0 cubic feet or less), stereos, televisions, radios, hair dryers, curling irons, and clocks are permitted in student rooms. Electric cooking appliances are a fire hazard and therefore their use is prohibited in individual student rooms. However, these appliances may be utilized in kitchen areas. Please note that you will receive information regarding renting a MicroFridge (combination microwave and refrigerator) for your room prior to move-in.  For more information regarding MicroFridges please click here.
  • Is phone service provided by the University?
  • No. Phone service must be arranged by individuals or roommates directly with the telephone company. Further details will be included with Move-In Information provided by your community. Student rooms contain one phone line per bed.
  • Is there a meal plan that comes with my housing options?
  • Housing in the residence halls (freshmen) includes a mandatory meal plan, and students can select from three meal plan options.

     *  100 meals per quarter with $75 FlexDine dollars
     *  120 meals per quarter with $75 FlexDine dollars
     *  165 meals per quarter with $50 FlexDine dollars

    For students living in Arroyo Vista or any of the apartment communities, meal plans are not included in their housing contract, however, an assortment of voluntary meal plans are available for students at UCIDining.com. 

    All meal plans are used in the dining commons located in Mesa Court and Middle Earth (first year residence hall communities).
  • Are vegetarian dishes offered in the dining commons?
  • Yes. Vegetarian entrees are offered at each meal.  Exhibition Stations feature cook-to-order meals and can typically be prepared vegan or vegetarian style upon request. Click here to see an overview of vegan and vegetarian options available at Mesa Commons.  ALL vegan and vegetarian items are noted appropriately on all menu signage at the commons. Please feel free to talk to a food service manager or chef regarding the variety of vegan and vegetarian options available to you.
  • If I live in Arroyo Vista, Campus Village, Vista del Campo Norte, or off-campus, can I still eat in the dining commons?
  • UCI Dining offers a variety of dining options or meal plans to meet your specific needs. Additionally, individuals have the option of paying at the door for any meal desired. For more information go to the UCI Dining Web site at www.ucidining.com or call (949) 824-4182.
  • What is the alcohol policy?
  • Only residents who are of legal drinking age (21) may consume alcohol in the privacy of their room or apartment. Alcohol is not allowed in lounges, study areas, or any other "public" space.
  • What if my roommate and I cannot get along?
  • Most roommate matches work out fine, and roommate assignments are rarely changed. If disagreements do arise with your roommate, every effort should be made to resolve them constructively. Mediation from housing staff is available if needed. Two weeks after the beginning of Fall quarter, room/roommate changes may be considered, and are granted at the discretion of the community's Housing Office.
  • Can I bring my car? Where do I park?
  • Parking on campus requires a parking permit. You can purchase a Resident parking permit from the UCI Parking & Transportation Services office. For rates and information, please visit www.parking.uci.edu
  • May I move out in the middle of the year?
  • Your housing contract is a legal and binding agreement. Contracts may not be broken mid-year except for marriage, illness, withdrawal from the University, or extreme circumstances of proven financial hardship. In the preceding cases, a contract will be canceled upon receipt of a written request, subject to administrative review. If approved, a $250 liquidated damages fee will be assessed. See next question for more details.
  • How do I cancel my contract if I decide not to live on-campus?

  • Your housing contract is a legally binding agreement, and a late cancellation charge will be assessed should you decide to cancel your housing contract. Prior to the start date of your housing contract, you may submit a contract cancellation form (PDF), which must include your signature, your UCI Student ID# and contract type. If you were under 18 years old at the time you signed your contract, the cancellation form must include the signatures of both the student and the guarantor (parent or legal guardian) named on your contract. Contract cancellation forms must be brought or mailed to Housing Administrative Services, G458 Student Center, Irvine, CA 92697-3250. They may also be faxed to (949) 824-4181. The amount of the late cancellation charge is assessed on a sliding scale (see Section VII.B of your housing contract). After the start date of your housing contract, you must contact the housing office of your assigned community directly as cancellation requests submitted will be subject to administrative review.


For more information about UC Irvine Student Housing, please visit our website at www.housing.uci.edu