Frequently Asked Questions

Who can live in campus Housing? 

Housing is required for first-year students. A second year on campus is required for Cal Poly Scholars, TRIO Achievers, Student-Athletes, College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED), College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES), and College of Engineering (CENG).  

Is Housing open during academic year breaks? Do students need to move out during breaks? 

The academic year housing contract runs from September to June and includes fall and spring breaks. Winter break is not included in the housing contract or fees.  
 
Students must depart unless they sign up for winter break housing. The winter break contract allows students to stay on campus in designated housing – typically in a campus apartment. Learn more here. 

Do you offer flexible housing contracts? 

Yes, we offer housing over the summer and for the gaps between terms.  
 
Summer residents do not need to be enrolled in classes. They can stay for any of the summer sessions or select their own stay with a consecutive 21-night minimum. Learn more on the Summer Housing webpage. 
 
Bridge housing allows students to stay between spring and summer terms and the summer and fall terms. Students need to have housing contracts for the two quarters where there is a week or two gap to be eligible for bridge housing. 

Winter Break Housing 

Students can add their names to the winter break interest list in fall term. Students pay a flat fee for the entire break regardless of how long they are on campus. Those without a winter break housing contract do not have access to their space for the duration of the break. 

Can I take a tour to see the inside of a residence hall? 

We offer indoor tours between June and August when our communities are vacant. We offer outdoor walks that take visitors around our communities in April and May. Learn more and reserve your spot at calpoly.edu/tours. You can also see housing through our virtual tours and the pictures and floorplans posted on the Residence Halls and Apartments webpage. 

How do I cancel housing? Is notice required? 

Residents can cancel their contract in the Housing Portal on MyCalPoly with at least 30 days notice (waived for medical leave/withdrawl and academic denial/dismissal). Charges of $10/day apply if the cancellation is received without notice. In addition to a cancellation request, required students must request a housing exemption. Please refer to our cancellation policy for details. 

Students withdrawing from Cal Poly need to cancel housing as well to avoid lack of notice fees. 

What accommodations are available for students with disabilities or other needs? 

Students can request a housing accommodation based on a disability or need through the Cal Poly Disability Resource Center (DRC) as soon as they decide to sign up for housing. The DRC reviews medical information and notifies us of any approved accommodations. Accommodations are not guaranteed, though Housing makes every effort to make them. 

Is housing available for families and married couples? 

We do not currently provide housing on campus for married couples or families. Off-Campus Programs has resources for living in the community. 

When do students move in and move out for the academic year?

Residents move into residence halls and apartments in September before classes begin and move out in June, the weekend of Commencement. 

Can I move in early? 

Students with extenuating circumstances can request an early move-in date.  

How do I check into housing?  

Bring a state-issued ID card, driver’s license or passport with you. You can also use your Poly card. You will need one of these valid forms of ID to check in and receive the keys to your residence. Check-in locations vary depending on your arrival but typically, we check residents at their specific building, e.g. Muir Hall or at a central location within their community, e.g. their community’s front desk. 

How do I check out of housing? 

If you are checking out before the end of the academic year, you will need to cancel your housing in your Housing Portal in MyCalPoly. If you are withdrawing from the university, you will need to withdraw from units before your cancelation is processed. A 30-day notice is required to avoid lack of notice charges. 

After you have moved out all your belongings, cleaned your space and taken photos, you’ll do an Express Checkout in your Housing Portal and then take your keys to an Express Key Drop box in your community and fill out an envelope. Learn more about move-on on our Mustang Move-out webpage. 

What happens if I move out without letting housing know? 

If you pick up and leave your space without completing a Housing Cancellation Request, you could be liable for lack of notice fees, including daily charges for holding your room for you. Charges could also apply for your lost key card and/or brass key, an improper (missed) check out and any damage to your space.  

Can I request a specific person to be my roommate? 

Yes, you can do this by adding your roommate’s Cal Poly email address to the “Roommate Preference” when you sign up for housing. Your desired roommate(s) will need to accept your request online for you to live together. You can edit your roommates and other preferences until June 1. Once the deadline to edit preferences has passed, you cannot change roommates. 

Is there a process for matching roommates? 

Students are able to form their own roommate groups until June 1. If you don’t already have someone to live with, you can fill out the Roommate Matching Questionnaire in your Housing Portal and then look for those who match you. You can then reach out to potential roommates to get to know them better and then form a roommate group, if you choose. 

If you do not request a specific roommate when you sign up for housing, you will be assigned a room with other students based on your Residential Learning Community and Queer-affirming preferences. 

What happens if I don’t get along with my roommate(s)? 

Residents can request to change to a different space in their Housing Portal on MyCalPoly. Room change requests may be made at specific times of the quarter. In the room change request form, you will include your preference. We offer room changes when we have a space that meets, or closely meets, your preferences. The more open you are to different options, the more likely it is that you will get an offer to move when space is available. 

How do I know where I will live?  

If you sign up for housing before June 1, you will have the opportunity to room select. If you participate in room selection, you will know where you will leave at that time. If you do not participate in room selection, you will be assigned a space after Aug. 9.

Can residents change Residential Learning Communities and/or rooms?

Students can change spaces within their residence hall/apartment or into another residence hall/apartment throughout the year as space is available. The room change request can be completed through your Housing Portal. For specific guidelines, see the University Housing Resident Handbook on the Housing Policies page. 

What room types are available? 

Most first-year students live in triple rooms in our residence halls. This year, a limited number of first-year students will live in apartments in Poly Canyon Village. These apartments feature shared rooms with bunked beds, a common study room, a full kitchen and living space. 

Continuing and transfer students live in Poly Canyon Village or Cerro Vista Apartments, which feature single and double bedrooms within shared apartments. 

What amenities are provided? 

You can check out  community amenities on our  Residence Halls and Apartments web page. 

What furniture is provided? Are risers or lofts permitted? 

Residence Halls: Most residences feature a twin XL bed and frame, a desk, a chair, a dresser, a closet or armoire and a trash can and recycle bin.  

Apartments: Our four-person, five-person and six-person shared apartments feature a twin XL bed and frame, a desk, a chair, a dresser, a closet or armoire and a trash can and recycle bin. Our six-person apartments with double suites feature bunked beds come with the items noted above with desks and chairs are provided in an adjacent room, set up as a dedicated study space. 

Risers and loft beds are not permitted. Students who have bunked beds may request to have those adjusted in their Housing Portal on MyCalPoly. All roommates must agree to the changes. 

Can I bring a TV? 

All rooms come with a television service hookup. If students would like a TV in their room or apartment, they will need to provide their own coax TV cable and TV. Consider space constraints in residence hall rooms and apartments and discuss items to share with roommates prior to moving in. 

A free streaming service, SpectrumU, is also provided for residents. 

Can I have a pet? 

Only fish in an aquarium are allowed. Aquariums may not exceed: 

• Five gallons per resident 
• Ten gallons per residence hall room 
• Twenty gallons per apartment 

Animals are not permitted in or around campus housing without DRC (Disability Resource Center) approval. Learn more in the Student Handbook on our Housing Policies webpage. 

How should I hang pictures on the wall? 

You can use painter's tape, utility hooks, hanging strips or suction hooks to hang items on the walls. Avoid products that strip the finish or damage the paint and/or walls themselves. These can result in damage charges at move-out. 

How does the dining plan work?  

All first-year students living in campus housing are required to have a dining plan, providing the convenience of having meals easily accessible. Learn more on the Dining Plans webpage.

Where do I find my mailing address and collect mail and packages?  

Distribution Services will issue you a campus mailing address, which is different from your physical address, by late August. Be sure to provide any online retailers, family and friends with the mailing address. Mail with your physical address will be returned to the sender. 

See the Residence Hall Mail and Package Services page for addressing standards and how to retrieve mail where you live. 

What is the availability of parking spaces at Cal Poly?

For specifics on parking, visit the Transportation and Parking Services page. 

For alternative transportation options, visit the Commuting to Campus page. 

What types of measures are taken to protect my safety?   

Safety of our residents is our highest priority. Cal Poly's residence halls and apartments are locked 24/7. Here are some safety measures in place and a full list is available via the resident safety page. 

• Resident Advisors (RAs) 
• Coordinators of Student Development (CSDs) 
• Cal Poly Police 
• Front desks  
• Courtesy and "Blue Light" emergency phones 
• Custodial and maintenance staff 
• Fire alarms 
• Community alerts 
• Educational programs 
• Text messaging 

Who responds in the event of a medical emergency?  

Cal Poly Police dispatchers are certified in the use of the emergency medical dispatch protocol, first aid, CPR and automatic external defibrillators. Emergency medical technicians and paramedics also respond to campus calls for care. 

Does Cal Poly have a police department?

Yes, Cal Poly Police Department is located on campus and is a full-service police agency certified by the California Department of Justice. It is staffed with officers and administrative personnel who are trained to carry out sworn and civilian responsibilities. 

What agencies respond in the event of a fire?

Cal Poly does not have its own fire department, so San Luis Obispo City Fire Department responds to any fire alarms or fires on campus.

What processes are in place for pest and wildlife control?   

University Housing prides itself on providing clean accommodations for all campus residents and employs full-time custodial and maintenance staff to maintain our living communities.

Occasionally, pests or wildlife, such as ants, mice, bedbugs, or swallows, may appear around or in living areas. If you notice any problems, please let us know by doing one of the following:

• Tell the person at the front desk of your residence hall or apartment.
• Submit a "Maintenance Request" through the Cal Poly Portal under University Housing.
• Contact Housing Services. 
  • Phone: 805-756-1587
  • Email: housingservices@calpoly.edu

Where do I go in the event of a campus-wide emergency?

Outdoor assembly areas, emergency blue phones, wheelchair evacuation chairs and carless pickup areas have been set up around campus. See Emergency Maps for details.

Does Cal Poly have plans in the event of a major emergency?   

In the event of a major emergency – one in which the campus cannot operate normally – the campus' Emergency Management Plan will be activated and emergency activities will be coordinated from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). For COVID-19 related information please see our COVID-19 response page.