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UC Davis FAQ: Dorms and Residence Halls

This post is part of a series we're doing called "UC Davis FAQ" that addresses some of the common search engine queries that lead UC Davis students to OneGate. Read more about it in UC Davis FAQ: Buying Textbooks.

Incoming freshmen tend to have many questions about living in the dorms. Most likely it’s your first time living away from home, and when you’re unsure, it can be an anxious thought. Previously we posted a list of some recommendations for things you may want to pack for your freshman year in the dorms but there are still lots of questions about what is allowed in the dorms and how things generally work.

Do I have to live in the dorms?

Living in the residence halls is completely optional. It is also completely recommended. The dorms are a fantastic way to meet people in college, and many people make friends for at least the rest of their college experience, if not for a lifetime. You’re not guaranteed to love your roommate and everyone else on your floor, but chances are you’ll make some good friends and it’ll be easier to find roommates for when you move out.

Can I choose which dorm to live in?

You can’t pick exactly which hall you’d like to live in, but you can express a preference for one over another. The way it works is after you’ve been accepted into UC Davis, you’ll get some basic information about the different residence halls and programs, and you’ll be asked to list them in order of preference for where you’d like to live. Most first years get their first or second choice, but even if you don’t you may be pleasantly surprised at how much you like where you end up.

If you have a friend who is also going to UC Davis, you can request to live with that person; to make it stick, you’ll both need to fill out your forms indicating the other person as your roommate. If you don’t have any friends you’d like to room with, don’t panic. You’ll fill out some basic questions and be paired with someone. UC Davis doesn’t currently have an extensive roommate-pairing system, so you may end up with your polar opposite but try to stay positive and keep an open mind. You’ll discover a lot about yourself during college and it’s good to be exposed to different lifestyles and personalities.

What happens during winter and spring breaks? Do the dorms stay open?

The residence halls close during the breaks between fall and winter quarters (Winter, or Christmas, Break) and between winter and spring breaks (Spring Break, which doesn't always correspond with Easter). Residents generally need to be out by the evening of the last day of finals, so be prepared to pack a bag and travel, whether it’s back to your parents’ house or to the beaches in Cancun. They usually open back up the day before classes start but check the calendar to be sure.

What’s the drinking policy?

According to the UCD Student Housing Policies, alcohol isn’t allowed in the dorms for residents under 21; for residents over 21 (usually the upperclassmen living in Primero Grove and other non-freshmen buildings), alcohol can only be consumed in private rooms when persons under 21 aren’t around.

If you’re caught with alcohol when you shouldn't have it, the least that will happen is you’ll be written up by your Resident Advisor and you’ll most likely have to meet with Student Judicial Affairs. If it’s a severe case or it’s happened more than once, you may be kicked out of the dorms.

Are pets allowed in the dorms?

Good news! You can have a fish! In a one gallon tank! 

Unfortunately, residence halls aren’t the place for your animal friends, and that includes mice, hamsters and reptiles like snakes and iguanas. If you’re super attached to your pet and you can’t possibly imagine a world without it, you may want to find a pet-friendly apartment instead. But we encourage you to try living without animals for nine months – the human companionship you find might help ease the pain. If you really need a dose of cuteness, visit the Yolo County SPCA in PetCo on Saturday afternoons and cuddle with the cats and dogs up for adoption.

Are freshmen allowed to have cars?

There are too many freshmen and too few parking spots for those living in the dorms to bring cars; TAPS won’t sell a first-year dorm resident a parking permit unless you have a really good reason to have a car. If you want to risk parking on the street, or if you have a really nice friend that will let you park at their apartment or house, you won't be the first to try it. But most freshmen find that biking will get them most places they need to go, and there’s always Unitrans for around town and Yolobus and Amtrak to get to further destinations.

Do dorms have security?

Residents need to swipe in with their reg card to get in to the residence halls. If you don’t live there, your card won’t work. Sometimes you can get in when someone else is entering or leaving the building; because of this it’s good to keep your dorm room door locked when you’re not there and protect your valuables; you may also want to bring a small lockbox or safe for jewelry and other small items (read 17 Things To Pack for Your Freshman Year in the UC Davis Dorms for ideas on what else to bring).

You may also want to read 11 Ways to Meet People and Get Involved at UC Davis and 10 More Ways to Meet People and Get Involved at UC Davis for tips on how to meet people.

Other UC Davis FAQ:
UC Davis FAQ: Biking
UC Davis FAQ: Buying Textbooks