Housing Breaks

Updated Dec. 2, 2024

Fall Break Services + Front Desks

Residential buildings will close during winter break and residents will not have access to their room/apartment between 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, and noon, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. All community front desks close for winter break at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, and reopen on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. 

The RA on-duty is available for those who need a service when the front desk is closed. Housing Admin. (Bldg. 31) is also available to assist you from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Bldg. 31 will be closed Monday, Dec. 23-Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. Phone support will be available 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec. 23-24 at 805-756-1226. 

For after-hours support, call the RA-on-call number located at the front door of each community.

Prepping your Room

Before you depart, please review the Safety and Maintenance flyer for info on securing your room. The Safety and Maintenance flyer also includes information on preparing your room for Housing's safety and maintenance checks. 

Safety and maintenance checks typically occur at the end of the week before break and into winter break. Check with your RA for when checks will start in your community.

What to Expect During a Room Check

Room checks are intended to cause the least amount of inconvenience to students, while proactively addressing safety concerns. Staff will announce their arrival by knocking loudly before entering a room. 

Staff will be looking for the following during room checks:  

• Doors: Room numbers are intact and clearly visible 
• Electrical Outlets: Not overloaded with excessive cords. Surge protectors are permitted but must be plugged directly into the wall and not into one another. 
• Screens: Present, secure, and in good repair (no holes) 
• Windows: Closed and locked (locking pin in place if present) 
• Food/Trash: No open food and all trash removed from room 
• Heaters: Turned off and no visible leaking 
• Closet doors: Properly hung 
• Walls: No damage or holes 
• Mold: Wet windowsills or walls, leaks, any visible mold growth 
• Fire Safety Concerns: Candles, tampered smoke detectors, items hanging from the ceiling and/or fire sprinkler systems, unapproved lighting, flammable items, etc. 
• Other safety/policy concerns: Lofted beds, lounge furniture in student rooms, etc. 
• The room is in good overall condition. 
• Curtains/blinds: Closed so that you cannot see in from outside 
• Lights: All lights turned off 
• Bikes: University Housing suggests storing your bike in your room, not outside 
• Cerro Vista and Poly Canyon Village: (In addition to the checks above) 
• Kitchens & Bathroom: Verify that all water is turned off (no dripping faucets or running toilets) 
• Kitchen: Verify that ovens and stovetops are turned off 

Staff will not open closets, refrigerators, or other private property areas. 

If any work is needed, staff will leave a "fix-it-ticket" that describes the problem. Once residents return, staff will check in to ensure that these items have been addressed. 

If any violations of University Housing policies are observed, they will be documented for appropriate follow-up.