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Living on campus means sharing space with others and building community together. Clear communication and mutual respect are essential to creating a positive living experience.

Getting to Know Your Roommates

Before arriving, consider reaching out to your roommates through the MyHousing portal. Introducing yourself early can help ease the transition.

You may want to:

• Share where you’re from, your major, interests and hobbies
• Discuss general expectations about cleanliness and shared space
• Talk about communication styles and how you prefer to resolve disagreements
• Share any cultural practices or personal boundaries

After move-in, attend your community meeting and area welcome events to start building connections. If concerns arise, connect first with your Resident Advisor (RA) for support. Room change requests typically open three weeks after the semester begins and close four weeks before it ends.

Shared Space Expectations

Familiarizing yourself with Community Standards will help you feel confident and comfortable in your new living environment.

Key policies to review include:

• Alcohol
• Cannabis
• Guests
• Noise
• Pets

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours help ensure all residents have time for rest and study. Outside of designated quiet hours, courtesy hours apply at all times. If noise becomes disruptive, residents may be asked to lower the volume out of respect for others.

Securing Your Space

Continuing students who plan to live on campus next year must participate in the Reservation Days process.

To confirm housing:

• $150 reservation prepayment
• $50 nonrefundable application fee

The reservation prepayment is applied to your housing charges for the semester.

Disability and Accessibility Housing

Cal State Monterey Bay is committed to providing equitable access to on-campus living. Students who require housing accommodations due to a medical, psychological, hearing or other disability may request support through a collaborative process between Student Housing and Residential Life and the Student Disability and Accessibility Center (SDAC).

Read more about Inclusive Housing.

Residency Requirement

First-year and sophomore students who do not live in Monterey, Santa Cruz or San Benito counties are required to live in university housing.

Eligibility to Remain in Housing

To remain eligible:

• Undergraduates must enroll in at least 12 units
• Graduate students must enroll in at least 6 units
• Students must be matriculated and making academic progress

Eligibility is reviewed each semester.

What to Bring

Preparing for move-in is easier when you know what to pack. Use the guides below to find recommendations for your specific housing area.

To confirm your assigned building, log in to your MyHousing portal and review the “Upcoming Booking” section on your home page.

View the recommended packing lists below. Coordinate with your roommate before bringing shared items.

You may bring:

• Refrigerator (5.2 cubic feet or smaller)
• Microwave

Packing Guides by Housing Area

• Residence Halls Packing Guide
• For Asilomar, Avocet, Cypress, Manzanita, Sanderling, Tortuga, Willet and Yarrow
  
• North Quad and Promontory Packing Guide
• For Pinnacles, Strawberry, Vineyard and Promontory (A, B and C)
  
• East Campus Packing Guide
• For Frederick Park I and Frederick Park II
  

What’s Included

Main Campus rooms include:

• Twin extra-long (Twin XL) bed
• Desk
• Dresser or wardrobe

Some East Campus apartments are furnished; others are unfurnished.

Monterey’s climate is generally mild. Rooms are not air-conditioned but include heating.

Items Not Permitted in Student Housing

To maintain a safe and comfortable community, the following items are not allowed in campus housing:

• Alcohol and illegal drugs, including cannabis
• Cigarettes, e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco (including East Campus)
• Air conditioners
• Burners or hot plates
• Candles and incense
• Ceiling fans
• Electric heaters
• Extension cords
• Exposed-element heating devices
• Fireworks, explosives or hazardous chemicals
• Halogen or multi-head (“Medusa”) lamps
• Pets (except fish in tanks up to 10 gallons)
• Waterbeds
• Weapons
• Toasters (permitted only in units with kitchens or kitchenettes)
• Countertop grills

If you have questions about a specific item, contact Housing and Residential Life before move-in.

Before You Arrive

To prepare for move-in:

• Review the What to Bring list
• Check directions and campus maps
• Pack your OtterCard or a government-issued ID
• Download or screenshot your QR code from the MyHousing portal

Your OtterCard provides access to your residence hall, laundry facilities and meal plan (if applicable). If you do not yet have an OtterCard, visit the OtterCard website to submit your photo in advance and streamline your check-in process.

Note: International and National Student Exchange (NSE) students should connect with their program coordinator for specific move-in instructions and support. Your coordinator will provide details about your check-in process and arrival location.

When You Arrive

Follow posted signage and staff directions for parking and check-in. Be sure to have your OtterCard (or ID) and MyHousing QR code ready for verification.

If you need assistance upon arrival, Housing and Residential Life staff and the Otter Welcome Team will be available to help guide you through the process.

Cooking and Dining

• Residence Halls: Shared kitchen in each building
• North Quad Suites: Kitchenettes; full kitchens on second floor
• Strawberry and East Campus Apartments: Full kitchens

Meal plans are required for students living in:

• Residence Halls
• Pinnacles and Vineyard Suites

Students in Strawberry, Promontory and East Campus Apartments may opt out.

Cleaning and Shared Spaces

Residents are responsible for cleaning their own rooms, suites and apartments. Public areas such as lobbies and hallways are cleaned regularly.

Pets and Campus Policies

Pets are permitted in East Campus family housing with approval (maximum two per unit). Dogs must live on first floors, except approved service animals and emotional support animals through SDAC.

Cal State Monterey Bay is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus.

Residents must follow the Housing License Agreement and Community Standards, including alcohol policies.

There is no curfew for residents.

Safety and Security

Residential buildings are secured 24 hours a day. Access is provided via your ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø ID card. Do not allow others to enter behind you.

Blue Light emergency phones are located throughout campus and connect directly to University Police.

Getting Around

You do not need a car to live on campus.

Eight transit lines serve Main and East Campus, connecting students to regional destinations. Most Main Campus buildings are within a 10-minute walk.

Biking is encouraged. A geared bike is recommended for Monterey’s rolling terrain. Bike parking is available at residence halls and academic buildings.

• Transportation and Getting Around
  Find transit routes, schedules and campus transportation options.
• Parking Services
  View parking permit options, pricing and regulations.

Your safety and well-being are a shared responsibility. At Cal State Monterey Bay, every Otter plays a role in creating a respectful, inclusive and secure residential community.

Residential buildings are secured 24 hours a day and accessible by ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø ID card only. Residents should not allow others to enter behind them. Blue Light emergency phones are located throughout campus and connect directly to University Police.

For concerns within your residential community, contact your Resident Advisor (RA). RAs are trained student leaders who provide guidance, help address issues and connect residents with campus resources.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately. For non-emergency assistance, contact University Police at 831-655-0268. Officers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Night Walk safety escorts are also available through University Police for students traveling across campus after dark.

Student Housing and Residential Life provides mail and package services for on-campus residents. Review the information below to ensure your mail is addressed correctly and picked up on time.

Please do not send packages more than two weeks before the start of classes. Items not claimed within two weeks will be returned to the sender.

Main Campus Residents

Mail Delivery

Residents in the Residence Halls and North Quad receive letter mail in their assigned mailbox, typically located on the first floor of their building.

Packages and oversized items are available for pick-up at the Housing Main Office (Building 12E). When your package is ready, you will receive a notification email from no-reply@pb.com. Bring your student ID and visit the office during the hours below to retrieve your item.

Package Pick-Up Hours

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

How to Address Mail (Residence Halls and North Quad)

Below are the official mailing addresses for Main Campus housing buildings:

All above buildings: Seaside, CA 93955

Promontory Residents

Packages for Promontory residents are picked up at the Promontory Office (Building B).

How to Address Mail (Promontory)

First Name Last Name
400 8th Street, Apartment Number
Marina, CA 93933

East Campus Residents

Mail and packages for East Campus are delivered directly to your assigned mailbox and handled by USPS or other delivery providers. For delivery questions or tracking updates, contact the mail carrier directly.

How to Address Mail (East Campus)

First Name Last Name
Street Address
Marina, CA 93933

Amazon Lockers (Otter Student Union)

Amazon lockers are located on the second floor of the Otter Student Union (OSU), next to the Sea Store. Lockers are accessible during OSU operating hours.

There is no additional cost to use an Amazon Locker, though standard Amazon shipping rates apply. Be mindful of OSU closures during holidays, as locker pick-up windows may be affected.

Outgoing Mail and Packages

Outgoing letter mail can be placed in the designated outgoing mailbox near student mailboxes.

For packages larger than standard letter mail, residents must visit a local post office or shipping provider directly.

Internet Access

Main Campus residents have access to high-speed ethernet or wireless internet. East Campus residents use cable modem service. Visit the IT website for details.

Meal Card Support

If your meal card is not working or is lost, visit the Campus Service Center. Replacement fees may apply.

Maintenance and Repairs

Submit a work order through the MyHousing Portal to report maintenance concerns in your room or residential community. You can notify the Housing Facilities team about access issues, plumbing or HVAC problems, lighting, exterior or landscaping concerns, elevator issues or pest control needs to help keep your space safe and comfortable.

Main Campus residents should contact their Resident Advisor or Student Housing and Residential Life for assistance if needed. East Campus residents should contact Greystar Property Management at 831-883-3157 or submit a request through RentCafe.

Lost keys must be reported immediately. Replacement fees range from $75-$150 depending on location.

Read more about Safety and Facilities.

Payment Options

Housing fees may be paid:

• Online through OASIS via CashNet
• In person at the Campus Service Center

Payment Deadlines

Payments follow:

• The university fee schedule, or
• The Housing Installment Payment Plan, if enrolled

Refunds

Refunds are issued only if cancellation occurs before the deadline listed in the housing license agreement.

Housing Rates

Current housing rates are available on the Housing Rates page.

Account Privacy

Under FERPA, housing staff cannot release account information without written student authorization.

Cal State Monterey Bay is committed to protecting student privacy. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), also known as the Buckley Amendment, governs how the university maintains and releases student education records.

Under FERPA, students who are currently or previously enrolled have the right to:

• Inspect and review their education records

• Request explanations or interpretations of those records

• Obtain copies of their records, as permitted by law

When Student Information May be Released

In general, the university will not release information from a student’s education record without the student’s written consent.

Parents of university students do not automatically have access to student records and are treated as members of the public unless the student provides written authorization.

FERPA does allow limited exceptions where information may be released without student consent.

Directory Information

The university has designated certain information as public (directory) information for current and former students, including:

• Name

• Home and local address and telephone number

• School or college

• Class level

• Major field of study

• Dates of attendance

• Degrees received and dates awarded

• Honors and awards

• Participation in recognized activities

• Previous school attended

• Height and weight of intercollegiate student-athletes

Students may request that directory information not be released by submitting a written request to the Office of the Registrar.

Other Permitted Disclosures

Student information may also be disclosed without consent in the following circumstances:

• To university officials who have a legitimate educational interest consistent with their official responsibilities

• To state or federal educational authorities as permitted by law

• To determine eligibility for financial aid

• To organizations conducting studies on behalf of the university to develop or improve instruction or administer student aid programs

Information protected under FERPA is not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).