Housing Break Prep

Updated Dec. 1, 2021
This page is updated prior to each break period (Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring) with specific dates and hours. 

If you are returning to campus housing for the next quarter (excluding Summer), you may leave items in your room, however, you will not have access to your room during the break. Take all essential and high-value items with you, including identification, medications, computers and academic supplies that you may need should public health conditions shift reopening timelines. 

As you prepare for breaks, please:

• Remove perishable food items, including emptying trash/recycling.
• Close and lock ALL windows and doors.
• Close drapes and blinds.
• Turn off heaters.
• Turn off and unplug alarm clocks, stereos, and computers (so they don't sound or play while you're out).
• Avoid charges for missing items. If you have moved furniture out of your room/apartment and into a common area, return it to your room/apartment. 

To make returning to campus easier for you, we only require North Mountain residents to return their keys before leaving winter break. All other students can keep their keys during break but room access will be disabled during the break.

North Mountain residents, your RAs will distribute key envelopes to you. Place your key/access card inside and seal the envelope. Hand the envelope to the RA or drop it in the Express Check-out Dropbox at Trinity Hall or Housing Administration (Bldg. 31).

Community Front Desks

Front desks close Saturday evening, Dec. 11. If you are staying during the break and need a service, Housing Administration (Bldg. 31) is open to serve you, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 805-756-1226 and housing@calpoly.edu. 

After hours, call the RA-on-call number posted in your community. Housing Administration is closed Friday, Dec. 24 - Saturday, Jan. 1. 

University Housing, including front desks, reopens at noon on Sunday, Jan. 2. Our communities will be locked until winter opening. So that our employees can enjoy the holidays with their families, we will not be offering or staffed for early move-ins. If you need accommodations before noon on Jan.2, try Visit SLO for local accommodations.

Community Front Desks	Phone Number
Cerro Vista Community Center (All Buildings)	(805) 756-6790
Poly Canyon Village - Aliso Front Desk (All Buildings)	(805) 756-9301
Sierra Madre Community Center (Serves Yosemite)	(805) 756-5650
Trinity (Serves Muir, North Mountain Halls, Santa Lucia, Sequoia, Tenaya & Trinity)	(805) 756-5670
yakʔitʸutʸu Housing Admin Building (All Buildings)	(805) 756-5097

Cancellations

Not returning to campus housing at Cal Poly for winter quarter? Please request to cancel/defer your housing through your Housing Portal and move out of your room. The last day to cancel housing for winter without incurring fees charged at a nightly rate is Thursday, Dec. 2.

After-hours Express Check-out Boxes (for cancellations/move-outs)

• Canyon Post (171A)
• Pacheco Post and the Community Center (172H)
• Trinity Hall (105)
• Sierra Madre Community Center (in central lobby)
• Cerro Vista Community Center (to the right of the front desk)

Safety and Maintenance Checks

University Housing conducts Safety and Maintenance checks prior to Winter Break and Spring Break to ensure safety and security during periods of low occupancy. During checks, staff members will report any electrical/fire safety or policy concerns.

Safety and Maintenance Checks will occur during the break while you are not present. 

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 presence by knocking loudly prior to 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 window sills or walls, leaks, any visible mold growth
• Fire Safety Concerns: Candles, tampered smoke detectors, items hanging from the ceiling, unapproved lighting, mopeds in room, flammable items, etc.
• Other safety/policy concerns: lofted beds, lounge furniture in student rooms, etc.
• General overall condition of the room is good
• 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 changes are needed, staff will leave a "fix-it-ticket" that describes the needed change. 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.