A Comprehensive Guide to UCLA Housing Services

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) provides a wide array of housing services designed to cater to the diverse needs of its student body, faculty, and visiting scholars. UCLA Housing & Hospitality (H&H) plays a central role in this, managing accommodations for thousands of on-campus residents and off-campus apartment units. This article delves into the various facets of UCLA's housing services, including emergency assistance, on-campus residential life, application processes, payment procedures, and sustainability initiatives.

UCLA Housing & Hospitality: An Overview

UCLA Housing & Hospitality (H&H) provides housing for more than 13,000 on-campus student residents during the academic year and more than 3,645 off-campus apartment units for undergraduate and graduate students, students with families, postdoctoral scholars and faculty. During the summer, these facilities are transformed into a vibrant conference center, hosting a variety of groups in guest rooms and meeting spaces. Throughout the year, faculty, researchers, and their collaborators gather for events in venues managed by H&H, while campus visitors enjoy comfortable accommodations at UCLA’s campus hotels, including the Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center.

Emergency Housing and the Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT)

Recognizing that financial difficulties can significantly impact a student's academic performance, UCLA has established the Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT). The ECRT provides support and guidance to students who have self-identified, or are identified by UCLA faculty or staff, as experiencing a financial crisis that impacts their academic success at UCLA. The ECRT aims to provide a seamless and individualized response to UCLA students in extraordinary financial crisis. They also develop proposals for actions to examine (and revise, when appropriate) university policies and office protocols in order to improve students' ability to manage their financial situations and avoid economic crisis.

The ECRT assists students with various housing-related issues, including stay-overs, moving in and out of housing information, dining payments, and exploring different housing options. This service is crucial for students facing unexpected financial hardships that could jeopardize their housing arrangements.

Residential Life at UCLA

UCLA Residential Life is committed to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive communities for every resident. A diverse community of scholars are working day and night to make a positive impact on the world. The institution prioritizes the physical and emotional safety of its residents, operating a 24/7 duty system. This system is managed by Assistant Directors, Resident Directors, and Resident Assistants, ensuring that a dedicated team of live-on staff and student leaders can always respond to the needs of students, whether they live within on- or off-campus University Housing.

Read also: Guide to UC Davis Student Housing

Resources for Academic Success

As a member of the UCLA residential community, students have access to a wide range of resources designed to ensure their academic success. This includes a team of world-class Faculty in Residence, mentoring and advising services, and generously appointed study spaces and Learning Centers. These resources aim to foster an environment conducive to learning and personal growth.

Community and Leadership

UCLA Residential Life offers many programs and opportunities for students to follow their dreams, build their skills, and develop their full leadership potential. For more than a century, a diverse collection of change-makers from all walks of life have made groundbreaking discoveries and positive social impact. The residential communities are inclusive and welcoming places. Bruins are passionate, active, and involved leaders.

Living with Roommates

Residential Life can support students in building skills to communicate effectively with roommates and build a positive living environment. This support helps to foster a harmonious living situation, contributing to the overall well-being and academic success of the residents.

Housing Applications and Offers

To access housing applications and offers, students need their UCLA Logon ID and password to access the new Housing StarRez portal. The housing portal is where students apply for housing and manage their housing preferences and offer.

UCLA provides walkthrough documents to assist students with the application process, including:

Undergraduate Housing Roommate Group Walkthrough (PDF)
Undergraduate Application Walkthrough (PDF)
Undergraduate Offer Walkthrough (PDF)

These resources help students navigate the application process smoothly and efficiently.

Housing Payments

Housing payments are to be made to the tenant’s BruinBill account. A tenant must have an activated UCLA Logon and password to access My UCLA and his/her BruinBill account. The CAR is now closed.

Room Transfer and Swap Requests

UCLA provides opportunities for students to request room transfers or swaps, subject to certain conditions and timelines.

Graduate Change of Assignment Request (CAR): Graduate and Family Housing CARs will be available once a student has an accepted offer until their contract start date.
Undergraduate Room Swap and Transfer Request: During the academic year, students looking to move to a new room can submit a room swap and transfer request during each quarter’s Open Transfer period. The transfer request form is now closed.
Graduate Transfer Request: Students residing in Graduate and Family housing are welcome to submit a transfer request after their contract start date.

These options allow students to adjust their living arrangements based on changing needs and preferences.

Sustainability Initiatives

H&H recognizes that focusing on sustainability programs can profoundly influence behaviors and inspire sustainable lifestyles, which may have the greatest positive impact on our environment. UCLA is committed to sustainability, as demonstrated by its numerous LEED-certified building complexes. "The Hill’, as the campus is commonly known, boasts more than 19 LEED-certified building complexes, including two certified through the UC-equivalent process. Among these, seven have achieved gold certification, while others, such as the Luskin Conference Center and Rieber Hall Renovation, have attained platinum certification. Additionally, the off-campus University Apartments include several LEED-certified properties, such as Weyburn Terrace and Landfair Apartments. These certifications reflect UCLA's dedication to environmentally responsible building practices.

Read also: Student Housing at CSU Pueblo

Need Urgent Assistance?

For urgent housing-related assistance, students can call Housing Dispatch at (310) 206-9633. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Residential Life phone line is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. If you leave a message after hours, the team will respond by the next business day.

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