For the first time in Cal Poly’s history, the university will require students in the incoming class of 2030 two-year guaranteed housing. This plan is part of a 10-year housing expansion that began with a series of new modular housing units currently under construction.
In the next five years, students can expect to see 3,500 to 4,000 beds across six to seven high-rise buildings, according to Juliette Duke, executive director of University Housing. Each apartment will be modeled after the suite-style living found in Poly Canyon Village and Cerro Vista.
Residents can expect three bedrooms with two beds in each suite, a kitchen, two bathrooms and a communal living space. Each building will also host a variety of community-oriented spaces, including lounges, commons and study spaces.
Taking over what was formerly the commuter parking lots behind the South Mountain Residence Halls, more commonly known as the red bricks, as well as portions of the North Mountain residence halls, the housing expansion cost nearly $1 billion. This funding will go toward the new construction and support the renovation of the red brick residence halls, which have been in active use for over 60 years.
The move to two-year guaranteed housing also comes with the hope for a stronger campus culture. Duke said that she envisions this extension “enhancing the experience for our students and helping them with… being successful, living on campus, and having a more vibrant community here.”
While this extension primarily impacts first and second-year students, older students and faculty may reap the benefits as well. With many residents currently feeling the pressure from the competitive rental market, housing through the university could make finding somewhere to live in SLO easier for those off-campus.
“I had to try to sign up to find leases at the very beginning of my freshman year, which is so overwhelming,” journalism sophomore Natalie Walloch said. “As an out-of-state student, you feel like you just got to school and you suddenly have to sign a lease in a city you’ve never been to. I think having two years of guaranteed housing would ease everybody’s mind so much, because finding a lease is so hard here.”
“We’re hoping that that does alleviate the pressure for students and the community, and that more housing opportunities are available for faculty and staff as well,” Duke said.
Specific details about the change are still being ironed out. Second-year students had previously been completely independent when living off campus, leaving decisions like bringing a car, purchasing a dining plan and finding cost-effective rent entirely up to them. With the new mandate, however, this autonomy may be hindered. University spokesperson Keegan Koberl said plans have not been made to require second-year dining and matters are still being discussed.
Fees for the new housing are “yet to be determined,” Duke said, noting that differences such as increased amenities may play a role in pricing, but talks are still in the works regarding finances.
The biggest change, however, will be parking on campus. After permanently closing the lots behind the red bricks to build new housing, no plans for additional parking have been introduced. In a statement from university spokesperson Keegan Koberl, the “first-year resident parking policy will expand to second-year residents.” As such, students can bring their cars to campus only if they qualify for an exemption.
While this may come as a blow to incoming and prospective students, officials noted that they aim to make the campus a more central location for students, offering community-building activities that exist beyond the normal school day.
Students will also be able to file an exemption to live off campus, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Dining plans will also remain unchanged, and Duke said that the plan currently offered for continuing students will be upheld. However, official meetings to discuss dining won’t occur until later in the year.
Officials also shared a potential partnership with the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini tribe, Duke said, with the potential to name the buildings after them, much like the yakʔitʸutʸu residence halls.
While campus may look completely different in just a few years, the extension highlights the constant growth and evolution of the student body, with infrastructure moving rapidly to accommodate.
“We’re really excited to do this and make sure that all students are having a really quality experience when they’re living with us on campus,” Duke said.
For more information and the latest developments, visit the University Housing Website.
Update, Nov. 21 5:45 p.m.: The headline was updated to provide more context on what the change means for students. A comment was added to elaborate on current dining plan requirements.