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Fall 2020 Campus Housing

Re: Fall 2020 Campus Housing
To: Undergraduate students and parents
July 13, 2020
 
Dear Students,
 
As we explained Friday by email , UC Merced has updated its plans for the fall 2020 semester in an effort to protect our community amid rapidly changing conditions related to COVID-19. To minimize in-person contact, we will offer campus housing only to students for whom UC Merced is the best or only place to live while pursuing their education.
 
We have cleared waiting list rosters and housing application requests and canceled all signed housing contracts as of July 12, 2020, given the COVID-related capacity limitations on our residence halls. Only students who are in one or more of the following categories may now apply:
 
  • Safe and Secure Housing: Scholars who identify that campus housing is the safest environment or provides the most secure ADA accommodations
  • Guaranteed Housing: Scholars who identify as foster/former foster youth, homeless, and Regents Scholars
  • Student Success Housing: Scholars who identify campus housing as the best environment to serve their success
  • Financially Secure Housing: Scholars who identify the need for campus housing as needed given their financial situation
 
If you are in one of these categories and would like to apply to live on campus for fall 2020, you must visit the Housing Portal and submit the Fall 2020 Housing Needs Survey under “Applications and Exemptions” by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 19. A video tutorial is available here . Be sure to provide a detailed explanation of your need for housing in line with the categories listed. It is in your best interest to complete the Housing Needs Survey as soon as possible to ensure that your request is fully reviewed.
 
After a review for eligibility and housing capacity, you will be notified of your application status via your UC Merced email account no later than Tuesday, July 21. Students who are offered campus housing will need to respond to the offer by signing an updated housing contract via the Housing Portal by 5 p.m. Friday, July 24. We will send housing assignments to students with signed housing contracts by the end of July. If you do not complete the Fall 2020 Housing Needs Survey or do not qualify in the groups listed above, you will not be eligible for campus housing for fall 2020.
 
Should you need help with off-campus housing — identifying rental properties, financial assistance or both — please let us know. Detailed Housing FAQs are available on the Do Your Part website .
 
Please stay up to date on the latest campus announcements by checking your UC Merced email and visiting the Do Your Part student FAQ page . If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact our Students First Center at (209) 228-7178 or studentsfirst@ucmerced.edu .
 
Thank you for your understanding as we continue to determine the best path forward during these challenging times. The health of our campus community is a top priority and will continue to inform our decision making as we work to support your success at UC Merced.
 
Take care,
 
Charles Nies, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs