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Resident Belonging
Updated: Sept. 3, 2026
We create communities where all residents belong. We believe intentional support and inclusive practices help create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to a strong, connected community.
Learn more in our University Housing Inclusive Excellence Plan.
In partnership with campus and community partners, we provide the following resources and commitments:
Access to Resources that Improve Equity and Affordability
- Over 4.5 million dollars in housing grants each year automatically provided to low-income students, as assessed and distributed through the Financial Aid Office
- Flexible employment for 275+ students on campus, including RAs, Graduate Assistants, Housing Ambassadors, and Student Assistants
- Reduced-cost summer housing in campus apartments for Housing student employees
- Lower-cost housing option (triple and quintuple rooms) available across every housing community
- Housing accommodations for residents with a disability are approved through the Disability Resource Center
- Increase ADA-accessibility across University Housing through renovations and new builds; learn more here
- Free laundry available at no additional cost for campus residents
- Emergency housing for students experiencing housing insecurity and other emergencies, as part of the Cal Poly Cares Program
- Gender-inclusive restrooms available to students across campus housing communities, including all of yakʔitʸutʸu
- Increased access to menstrual hygiene products through no-cost accessible products in public and employee restrooms
- Improved resident sexual health product access by expanding condom access across the Housing footprint
Support for an Inclusive Campus Climate
- Funding for events and initiatives related to inclusivity that directly impact Cal Poly residents (Apply here)
- Cultural residential learning communities, open to all students interested in learning and engaging more with various cultural groups
- Residential Learning Communities for to the Cal Poly Scholars, Educational Opportunity and TRIO Achiever Programs
- Queer Connections room options
- Ongoing partnership with the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini tribe
- Dedicated strategic planning, support, and education on topics related to diversity and inclusion by the Housing Director of Employee Engagement and Inclusion
Student Learning and Growth
- Connect residents to inclusivity education, events, and initiatives
- Support for Housing bias incidents through education and repairing individual and/or community harm
Staff Support and Development
- Inclusivity training for all Housing professional staff and specific manager training requirements on equity-minded leadership
- An inclusivity workshop goal on every Housing employees' yearly evaluation
All individuals, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin, who are interested in our programs are welcome to participate.
Campus Resources
Cal Poly supports belonging efforts across campus. Here are some of the programs on campus you should know about:
- Cultural and Institutional Excellence (CIX) leads campus-wide belonging efforts at Cal Poly
- Student Development and Belonging is a collective of student resources that includes the Black Academic Excellence Center (BAEC), Dream Center, La CASA Latinx/e Center, Multicultural Center, Native & Indigenous Center, Gender Equity Center, LGBTQ+ Campus Life, and Men & Masculinities
- Bias Incident Reporting Team, to report a potential bias on Cal Poly campus
- Inter Housing Council, Housing's student government where residents can share any concerns, including equity issues or diversity event ideas
- Safer, confidential resources for sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking
- Cal Poly student organizations, includes a list of cultural clubs on campus
- Basic Needs Program, ensuring all students have access to resources needed to be successful
- Transfer Center, a community for transfer students to get connected to resources, community, and advocacy
- Disability Resource Center, for assistance with temporary and long-term disabilities
- Campus CARE Team, assists students who struggle in areas such as psychological health, physical health, relationship issues, family crisis, life trauma, social adjustment, and interpersonal conflict
- Civil Rights and Compliance Office, documents and responds to all reports of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct
- ASI Social Justice Program Funding, by application for currently chartered registered student organizations doing diversity and equity work
- Center for Military-Connected Students, comprehensive assistance to all military-connected students
