Residential Services
Mail Services
Laundry Services
Telephone Service
Internet Access
Transportation
Security Services
Banking Services
Mail Services
Every Porter resident has a mailbox assignment at the Porter Student Mail Center. US Mail, UPS deliveries, and all inter-campus mail is distributed here. Your mailbox number and combination will be sent via campus email prior to move-in. All University-student communications will be delivered to your mailbox, so it is important to check it frequently.
It is important that your mail is addressed using the name that appears on your student registration form and not a nickname. Your mailing address at Porter will be:
Your First and Last Name
411 Porter-Kresge Road, Box Number
Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1076
Due to storage space constraints, mail can only start to arrive here one day prior to your arrival. Large packages are difficult for the Mail Center to handle during the first week of Fall Quarter; a package may be returned to the sender if there is no room for it, or if it is not picked up promptly. If you can possibly wait a week or two before shipping your larger items, please do so.
Laundry Services
Porter has two laundry rooms: one attached to the E-building and the other in the B-building. You'll need to bring your own detergent and fabric softener. We recommend that you stay in the laundry room while doing laundry. Some of our students find it a great place to hang out!
Telephone Service
Landline phones are located throughout Porter's residential communities. The phones are available for any residential student to use to make or receive calls. For long-distance or toll calls, a calling card is needed.
Should a student's family need to contact a student, it is important that they have current contact information. If a student's cell phone is not functional or a student does not have a cell phone and a situation is urgent, there are alternative contact methods:
To report an emergency, or a health/safety issue regarding a student resident:
- Family/guardian should contact the Campus Police Department at (831) 459-2231.
To contact a residential student regarding an urgent matter:
- 8am - 5pm: Family/guardian should contact the student's residential community housing office.
- 5pm - 8am: Family/guardian should contact the Campus Police Department at (831) 459-2231.
Internet Access
ResNet , another campus-owned service, provides free Internet access and computing support. Using the Ethernet port from your room provides a fast Internet connection and won't tie up your phone line. There are Ethernet ports in all bedrooms. Although you may need to buy an Ethernet card to upgrade your computer, there are no special fees or charges for this service.
To take advantage of your Internet port you'll need an Ethernet capable (or up-gradable) computer with the appropriate configuration. If you need assistance you can call the ResNet Help Desk at 459-4638, and a room visit can be scheduled if necessary.
Transportation
On Campus:
Most students WALK to classes. It's often the fastest and the most direct method…really!
The campus also has a weekday SHUTTLE service. The shuttles circle the campus in 5-10 minute intervals. Every evening, the Night Shuttle provides transportation in 15-20 minute intervals until 12:30 am. These services are free of charge for UCSC students with a valid Student ID. For specific times and dates of operation, see the TAPS web site. The Santa Cruz Metro Bus System is another great way to get around campus.
If you have a BIKE and ride it a lot, bring it! If you are thinking about buying a bike just for college, you might want to wait until after you've seen the campus and had a chance to check out the bus system and the footpaths. If you do want to bring a bike, bring a strong "U" bike lock.
**TAPS provides an on-campus DISABILITY VAN service for students with impaired mobility and are unable to use the regular campus shuttle service. Current medical documentation must be provided, and reservations must be made in advance. For more information on this service, call 831. 459-2829.
If you are feeling uncomfortable or unsafe getting from one part of campus to another, please call the CSO Dispatch line at 831.459.2100 and request the shuttle service. The shuttles will be available from 7 PM to 2:30 AM every day. As a note, please keep in mind that these vans are not merely a supplement for our standard campus shuttles, but are intended for those who feel unsafe and need an escort. The shuttle service is for transportation to campus locations only.
Off-Campus:
The Santa Cruz Metro BUS is an efficient way to get around town, or even to San Jose, and it’s easily accessible at all campus shuttle stops. City buses run both ways through campus and into town every 10-15 minutes on weekdays, and every 20-30 minutes on the weekends. All rides are free to UCSC students with a valid Student ID.
You can also connect to the Amtrak TRAIN system and the Diridon (Caltrain) Station in downtown San Jose by using the Highway 17 Express.
Highway 17 Express ($7 fare)
(831) 425-8600
SCMTD (Santa Cruz Metro)
Security Services
The campus has a 24-hour on-call police force and fire department. At Porter, administrative assistance is offered during business hours on weekdays at the Porter Housing and Residential Life Office (D106). The office is also open until the early evenings for general assistance. A Coordinator for Residential Education (CRE) is on duty 24 hours a day, and Residential Advisors (RA) are also on duty in the early mornings and on the weekends. See staff descriptions.
Each College is patrolled in the evenings by a Community Safety Officer (CSO). Students may call the Porter CSO for assistance anytime between 7:00 pm and 3:00 am. In addition, a Resident Advisor is available by pager from 3:00 am to 9:00 am.
The Porter Residence Halls' exterior doors are controlled by a card access system. Your ID card contains a programmable chip and serves as your key to the exterior doors. Only Porter residents have access to the exterior doors. To gain access to the buildings, a guest must call you from an exterior campus phone to arrange admittance.
Banking Services
This is not intended as an endorsement of any of the following services. It is a short list of what is available in Santa Cruz, and the banks most convenient to the campus.
Bank of America
1640 Mission Street
831. 457-3560
(Automatic Teller on-campus)
Bay Federal Credit Union
228 Cardiff Place
831. 479-6000
(Automatic Teller on-campus)
Wells Fargo
74 River Street
831. 469-3525
(Automatic Teller on-campus)
Bank of America, Bay Federal Credit Union, and Wells Fargo have on-campus automatic teller machines at the Bay Tree Bookstore. Access fees may apply. The Bay Tree Bookstore will also cash personal checks up to $10.
