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Cowell Pages
UC Santa Cruz Links© Cowell College, 2008 |
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Cowell Handbook 2009-10You may also download a INDEX
WELCOME TO COWELL COLLEGE
Since its establishment as the first of UCSC's residential colleges in 1965, Cowell has focused not on a theme or a specific set of disciplines, but on a motto: The Pursuit of Truth in the Company of Friends. Convinced that learning involves a committed search for knowledge through reasoned discussion and debate, and that such debate develops best in an atmosphere of mutual respect and friendship, the faculty, staff, and student leadership of Cowell College invite you to challenge yourself with new ideas, to think and reason with vigor, and to extend a hand of friendship to your companions in this endeavor. Remember, too, that there are many ways to learn: get involved in the many activities Cowell offers through its Programs and Residential Life offices; become active in the Cowell Senate, join a student group, or plan a program. And don't forget to check the Schedule of Classes for Cowell courses of special interest. COLLEGE STAFF Contact information for all Cowell staff members is available online at http://cowell.ucsc.edu/contact_us. Provosts, Tyrus H. Miller & Deanna Shemek College Administrative Officer (CAO for Cowell and Stevenson), Jim Carter Assoc. College Administrative Officer (ACAO), Adrianne Waite Assistant to the Provosts & CAO, Jaden Silva-Espinoza College Office Assistant, Tony Soottinanchai Academic Preceptor, Sarah Rogerson and Academic Assistant, Cathy Shender Housing Coordinator, Jed Milroy and Program Coordinator, Kara Snider and Building Maintenance Workers Robert Mandell and Jason Nelson College Counseling Psychologist, MaryJan Murphy Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery Curator, Linda Pope Coffee Shop Manager, John Hadley Financial Specialist, Liz Cowan Community Service Officers (CSOs) Residential Custodians STUDENT/PEER RESOURCES
Resident Assistants (RAs) serve the residents in their buildings by planning activities; being resources for a variety of questions; enforcing college policies; and working to provide a safe, secure and academically supportive environment. Lower Quad RAsTurner House: Stefan Anderson, Zainab ShakoorParrington House: Tiffany Jimenez, Sarah Leibovitch Beard House: Marisol Briones, Jennifer Conner Morison House: Andrew Nguyen, Caitlin Stratton Upper Quad RAsPrescott House: Mitchell Bates, Erin HernandezParkman House: Anish Godhwani, Michelle Miller Adams House: La Toya Brown, Cameron Vanderscoff Apartment RAsTim Anderson, Sharlyn Bushgen, Bill Marzolla, Lisa Scott, Kye WeasnerOrientation Leaders (OLs) welcome new students and provide assistance and programs during Move-In, Welcome Week, and beyond. These volunteers serve as peer mentors and help at events throughout the year. 
Peer Advisors, at the College Office, are familiar with academic policies and campus resources. They can help you navigate through the University system, the student portal and offer you a student's perspective on academic issues. Program Assistants (PAs) assist in planning many of Cowell's college-wide events. They eagerly await your input. Food Service Advisor (FSA) is the liaison between students and University Food Services. The FSA listens to concerns, helps implement change, and provides food service information. SAFETY AND SECURITY INFORMATION
EMERGENCY REFERRAL AND ASSISTANCEUCSC Psychological Crisis or Suicidal Concern (Mon - Fri, 8am-5pm):
UCSC After-Hours Crisis Service (Mon - Fri 5pm-8am; 24-hours on weekends and holidays):
Community 24-hour Resources
COWELL FACILITIESCollege and Administrative OfficesOn the first floor of the Administration building you'll find the Cowell College Office where you can receive academic advising and general college information. The College Office is open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, with friendly staff to answer your questions or direct you to the proper resource. The Provosts and CAO offices are located just down the hallway. Lost & Found items are kept at the College Office for 30 days, so check promptly. College Student Life OfficesThere are a number of student life offices under the Cowell Dining Hall. The Cowell Student Life Office is where you'll find the Housing and Residential Life Office, the Programs/Activities Office and the individual offices of the ACAO, CREs and CPC. Cowell/Stevenson Dining HallThe Dining Hall serves as the closest location for Cowell and Stevenson students to enjoy meals and is also the site for some Cowell "after-hours" events, such as dances, speakers, and films. Cowell Coffee ShopThe Coffee Shop offers delicious baked goods, chili, salads, sandwiches and more. Cowell's Page Smith Library The Page Smith Library serves as a reading and study space, open nightly until the CSO locks it (around 2am). Its books are to be used only within the Library. Eloise Pickard Smith Art GalleryNamed after the wife of Cowell's first Provost, Page Smith, the Smith Gallery hosts quarterly exhibitions of art and history relevant to the Monterey Bay Region. Open Tuesday - Sunday 11am-4pm, located down the first walkway to the left of the main college entrance. Visit the website for more information. Student Mail RoomAll Cowell residents are assigned a campus mailbox. The Mail Room is located in the basement of Apartment Building 1. Staffed hours of operation are posted on the door. Computer LabCowell students enjoy having one of UCSC's computer labs nearby, located in Room 101 of Apartment Building 1. It has both Macs and PCs. Info on all computer labs is available online. Fireside LoungeNear the Dining Hall, Cowell's largest lounge is used for college-sponsored events, and other times it functions as a study space. Apartment Community RoomIn Apartment Building 3, this lounge is for use by the apartment residents. Cowell-sponsored events are occasionally held here. Conference Room, Cowell 132Near the Administration building, this room is used for meetings and gatherings. Scheduled by the College Office. Cowell Senior CommonsUpstairs from the College Office, this room is used for Cowell-sponsored meetings. Scheduled by the College Office.  Cowell CourtyardThe best view at Cowell is from the Courtyard. With benches and tables, it's a great place to study or socialize. Cowell Fountain (and Fish Pond)This beautiful spot is the physical center of the college and a convenient place to meet up with friends. Please don't put anything in the fountain: it negatively impacts the fish and the water drains to the bay. Founders' GlenFounders' Glen is where the campus first opened in 1965. Today it's a nice spot for outdoor activities or just lounging on the grass. 
STAYING INFORMEDMake use of these resources to keep informed throughout your time at UCSC: Activate your UCSC account and use your campus e-mail. Every student has a UCSC computer account, which provides access to e-mail and to various web resources. Activate your account right away via the Student Portal (http://my.ucsc.edu). Campus departments, offices, and colleges send notifications by email, but only to your UCSC account. One way to access your UCSC email account is via the web at http://cruzmail.ucsc.edu/. MyUCSC - the Student Portal (http://my.ucsc.edu) keeps you current on your academic progress. You can check your class schedule, view your grades after the end of the quarter, view your transfer credit, and monitor your academic progress. Be sure to keep your personal information (mailing and permanent billing addresses, and phone numbers) up-to-date. College mailbox. Cowell students living in university housing are assigned a college mailbox at their home college. It's very important to check it at least weekly. All official University mail is sent to this mailbox, unless residents have indicated otherwise on their student portal (see above). However, the college and other university offices will use this address for any on-campus mail, including important academic and financial deadlines. "I didn't check my mail" is not accepted for missed deadlines.  Cowell Handout: This monthly newsletter (October through May) covers the happenings and opportunities at Cowell. Pick one up around Cowell or view it online. Cowell Website: Bookmark the Cowell website http://cowell.ucsc.edu as a resource and for college information, deadlines, news announcements, events, and more. Follow the link from it to the Cowell Events Facebook page. GETTING INVOLVEDThere are many ways for students to get involved at Cowell. These are great opportunities to meet new people and contribute your energies. 
Senate: the College Student GovernmentAll Cowell students are eligible to join this leadership group. The Senate meets weekly to discuss Cowell issues, hear funding requests from student groups, and plan events for the Cowell community. Senate allocates ~ $43,000 in student fees to fund student programs. The Senate also provides the DVD Loan Library where membership/use is free for Cowell students! To learn more email The Cowell WritersThe Cowell Writers meet regularly to share work and discuss creative writing. To become a member requires only two things: you like to write and you'd like to meet other people who write. Our workshops are informal gatherings meant to help you start writing, sharpen your skills, and keep on writing. To learn more email Other Cowell ClubsEach year additional clubs have been formed around student activities or interests. Past Cowell clubs have included Diversity Encouragement Council, Peace at the Crossroads (PAX), Sustaina Environmental Club, Jog Club, Book Club, and Chess Club. Watch for announcements as clubs develop or resume. EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Cowell offers a wide variety of opportunities outside of the classroom. Student vision and participation is essential, so contact Residential or Programs Office staff to get involved, propose something new, or join a planning group already underway. College Nights: A Cowell TraditionFor more than forty years, College Nights have been a Cowell tradition. These special evenings include a buffet or family-style meal accompanied by a program of music, dance, drama, comedy, student talent, or cultural enrichment. Menus for College Nights are imaginative, diverse, and scrumptious. Cowell hosts about three College Nights a quarter. Planned by students and staff, they are also attended by faculty, staff, and their families. See flyers for how to attend - these gatherings are not to be missed!  Other EventsCowell College, as well as student groups and organizations, sponsors many social, cultural, and educational events. Watch the Cowell Handout for details on open mics, talent nights, cultural celebrations, film screenings, lectures, workshops, concerts, dances, and more. Cowell Events on FacebookStay informed about college-wide events: join the Facebook group Cowell Events and Activities. ACADEMIC ADVICE FOR DOING WELL IN CLASSGo to Class. Many instructors track attendance in lecture and discussion sections. You could fail a class simply because of absences. Know how to make contact. For each class in which you are enrolled, be sure you record on the first day your instructor's name, department, contact information, and office hours. You should also get the name and phone number or e-mail of at least one other student in the class. Get to class on time. Plan your class schedule so you can arrive on time. Avoid back-to-back scheduling of classes if possible. Stay connected with the course. Review class notes within 24 hours. You can remember the most within the first hour after class. Fill in unclear or incomplete notes. Check the syllabus to see what topics and assignments are coming up. Connect with your classmates. Consider forming a study group with other students in your class and meet regularly. Make sure that you understand your professor's expectations about group work so that you don't inadvertently get accused of violating principles of academic integrity. Be proactive. Participate in class: ask questions, join in class discussions. If you know you will be absent, let the instructor know ahead of time and submit any work that is due on that day directly to the professor or relevant TA before the class meets again. It's your responsibility to figure out how to make up for the material covered in a missed class. Never ever ask your professor, "Did I miss anything?" Pace yourself. Sometimes students put off reading assignments until they are to be "tested" on the material. You should complete reading assignments prior to going to class. Items you did not understand in the reading can be clarified during the lecture and the lecture makes more sense if you have the background information from the reading assignments. You can then review the reading more rapidly before the exam. 
Respect the decorum of the classroom. Arrive on time and stay for the whole class. Turn off your cell phone. Don't eat during class. Don't talk during lectures or while students are speaking. Get a sense of how you're doing. If your instructor returns an assignment and you do not understand his/her comments or grading, see him/her during office hours to go over the work. If you aren't sure about your progress in the course, meet with your professor. If your professor's official office hours are not times when you can meet, ask for an appointment at other times. Be aware of what it takes to be in good academic standing. Your academic standing is calculated at the end of each term based upon your current and cumulative UCSC GPA. If either your current or cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, then you are on academic probation. In that event, you should meet with your college academic preceptor about what you need to do to return to good standing. Be aware of enrollment deadlines and procedures. Always check your enrollment in classes via the Student Portal to confirm that your enrollment is correct. Make changes to your schedule immediately. Note deadline dates! Make sure to highlight all academic deadlines (i.e. add/drop/swap classes, withdraw from a class, etc.). Keep records of your enrollment until you've received your grades at the end of the quarter. Manage your time commitments. Being a student is a full-time job. If you're working as well, you really have to manage your time carefully; try to keep your work hours to a minimum and schedule them around your classes, not the other way around. There aren't a lot of extra hours for other work, athletics, and volunteer activities. Invest the few extra hours you have wisely, to get the most out of them. ACADEMIC INTEGRITYCheating or plagiarizing, or enabling others, actively or passively, to violate integrity standards, undermines the fairness and equal treatment that every student has the right to expect from university classes. Too often students who are caught cheating say "everybody's doing it" or "I only did it once" or "I was in a bind." But this is simply dishonest. Violating academic integrity hurts others and ultimately, by eroding the climate of trust between professor and students, it hurts you too. Your individual actions really do matter, every time. Being caught cheating or plagiarizing will have serious consequences for your academic and future. Cheating, plagiarism, and other academic integrity violations will result in punitive academic sanctions, such as failure of the course and mention in the permanent record, as well as disciplinary punishment, including letters of warning kept in the student's record, suspension for one or more quarters, or expulsion from the university. A letter may also be included in your judicial file, which will be reported on request to graduate and professional schools and future employers. As a matter of honor and fairness, and as protection against the very negative consequences of academic and disciplinary sanctions, you should resolve now to maintain high standards of academic integrity. There are no circumstances in which cheating and plagiarism are justified. Don't cheat. Clear cases of cheating (copying on assignments, using unauthorized resources during exams, turning in another person's work as your own) are easy to recognize and avoid. Don't enable others to cheat. Assisting or knowingly tolerating someone who is cheating in an exam or other graded assignment is cheating, and you may be subject to charges of complicity with cheating. Observe proper standards of use, attribution, and citation. It is crucial that you use sources properly, writing essays and other written work in your own words and crediting the ideas and words of others through citation and footnote documentation. Even if you haven't maliciously copied another author's work, failure to attribute properly is a type of plagiarism. Address classroom difficulties BEFORE they become crises. The best way to avoid academic integrity problems is to learn to manage you time well and develop good, consistent study skills. If you are having problems, seek additional help early. If medical, psychiatric or personal difficulties may affect your academic performance, contact your preceptor before problems arise. It is your responsibility to be proactive, to avoid getting into a situation in which cheating looks like the only option. The internet is not a "free zone" for scholarly information. On-line and electronic sources must be properly credited, just like any printed source. If you have questions or doubts about how to cite electronic resources, consult with your professor or teaching assistant. Distinguish between group learning and unacceptable collaboration. In classes you may be allowed to work together with others in the class on certain kinds of assignments. But you should always assume that the written work that you turn in is to be solely your own work. Find out what your instructors consider the limits on this kind of cooperative activity. Read carefully the section on academic integrity in the campus Rule Book. You can also consult the academic integrity website or The Navigator. You should be able, for the rest of your life, to feel proud of the work that you have done to earn your university degree. Don't diminish its value by cheating and plagiarizing! STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCTStudent Code of Conduct In order to carry on its work of teaching, research, and public service, the University has an obligation to maintain conditions under which the work of the University can proceed freely. This is done in accordance with the highest standards of quality, institutional integrity, and freedom of expression and with full recognition by all concerned of the rights and privileges, as well as the responsibilities, of those who comprise the University community. Each member of the UCSC community shares the responsibility of maintaining an environment conducive to the achievement of the University's purpose. The University's standard of conduct consists of system-wide policies, campus regulations, and individual College rules. The Chancellor has delegated authority to the Provosts, College Administrative Officers, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, and Vice Chancellor of Student Services or their designees to impose discipline for violation of these policies, regulations, and rules. Student Conduct ProcessPhilosophy of DisciplineKnowledge of the student conduct process begins with a student's arrival to campus. You are expected to know the information in this handbook, as well as the campus policies outlined in the Student Policies and Regulations Handbook and the For students living on campus, the residential staff is another component of the student conduct process. Staff including Community Safety Officers (CSOs), Resident Assistants (RA) and Coordinators for Residential Education (CRE) work together to communicate and model the standards of behavior. Standards of Proof and Preponderance of EvidenceIt is important to remember that the University is not a court of law. Therefore, when adjudicating a possible violation of college or university rules and regulations, college officials will utilize what is called preponderance of evidence. Simply stated, preponderance takes into account the evidence available of both sides of a case and makes a judgment in favor of the evidence which is more convincing and makes the most sense. College Staff members take an educational approach to the judicial process. They seek to work with and educate students about the importance of following community standards and college policies to insure a safe environment for all. The educational process includes explaining expectations of student conduct and the reasons why the policies and procedures exist so that students will be aware of the repercussions of their actions. The judicial process is a cumulative one. This means when a student is involved in a policy violation, all previous violations and judicial interactions are taken into account when determining the sanctions or outcomes of the situation. Repeated disciplinary violations may lead to cancellation of a student's housing contract, exclusion from the college, warnings, suspension or dismissal from the University. SanctionsIn concurrence with the student conduct process students found responsible for conduct violations will find themselves at some level of discipline in the conduct system, and they may be required to fulfill an educational sanction and/or pay monetary restitution. Sanctions are issued to help educate students about the rationale behind the policy they violated and to make them think about the possible consequences of their actions before repeating a policy violation. Sanctions range in severity from a warning letter to removal from the University. Philosophically, we follow a policy of using educational sanctions rather than simple punitive sanctions or monetary fines, but there are situations where restitution must be made. Educational sanctions include presenting a program, writing a research paper, or attending an Alcohol and Other Drug workshop. Fines would be levied for vandalism or damage caused to university or personal property, and/or for finable violations (i.e. tampering with fire equipment). Judicial Process Definitions
Appeal ProcessA student may choose to appeal a decision made by a sanctioning body. The appeal must be received by the Appeal Officer designated in the student's resolution letter in written form within five days of receiving the decision. Only one level of appeal is permitted. Reasons must be based on the following:
SummaryKeep in mind the process is very fluid. Factors affecting the outcome of the process include but are not limited to: severity of the violation, amount of cooperation given to the staff member addressing the violation, willingness to accept responsibility for actions, or the amount of honesty or remorse shown by the person violating the policy. The range of sanction levels includes administrative resolution, warning, censure, or disciplinary probation. However, a student may be asked to leave campus housing for a first offense. There is a great deal of flexibility in the process that is up to the discretion of the Adjudicating Officer. This flexibility does not take away from the student's right to due process. Students are given: written notice of violations in advance of a meeting with a staff member, the ability to share their information of the incident with the staff member, and the right to appeal the decision. RESIDENTIAL POLICIESThe following is by no means a complete list. It simply highlights many policies important to residential life. It is the responsibility of each individual to know and abide by the rules, regulations and policies of Cowell College and the University. Any violation of any College and/or University policy can lead to disciplinary action. You may view and read a complete version of the Student Code of Conduct online. Alcohol Policy
DoorsDoors are considered to be part of your room. It is a violation of College policy to put anything on residence hall room doors or apartment front doors. In addition, dismantling, defeating or tampering with the door closing/ locking mechanisms are also prohibited. Students may be subject to disciplinary action and damage charges. Drug PolicyThe University & College adhere to Federal, State & local laws.
Drug ParaphernaliaDelivering, furnishing, transferring, manufacturing, and possessing drug paraphernalia is strictly prohibited anywhere on the grounds of Cowell College. Drug paraphernalia is defined here as all equipment, material, and products intended for use or designed for use in growing, processing, harvesting, storing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing a controlled substance into the human body. Harassment PolicyPhysical and verbal harassment will not be tolerated by students, staff or faculty, and is prohibited on the UCSC campus. If any form of harassment occurs, you should notify a staff member immediately. It is the policy of Cowell College and the University that the working and learning environment shall be free of harassment, including any form of sexual harassment. Cowell College and the University will take action to eliminate harassment. For further information on sexual harassment please refer to the Student Policies and Regulations Handbook or contact Rita Walker, Title IX Officer, at 459-2462 or email at Noise PolicyNoise is any sound, human or otherwise, which is disturbing to a resident. In an effort to provide an atmosphere conducive to studying and group living. Silent Hours are:
Silent Hours are extended to 24 hours a day during the last two weeks of each quarter in preparation for finals. Quiet Hours All remaining hours are designated as Quiet Hours. Residents must assume responsibility for monitoring their own behavior and asking others to practice courtesy if their behavior or noise infringes on one's right to sleep or study in one's room, at any time. Stereos & Amplified/Loud InstrumentsNo one would want to deny you the pleasure of listening to your favorite music; however, no one wants to be awakened out of a sound sleep by a stereo. Loud playing of stereos and amplified instruments (even drums), is not allowed except for approved events (e.g. dances). Stereo speakers may not be placed in windows facing outside. Any lack of consideration may result in loss of privileges. Please bring headphones. Living in an environment conducive to studying is a resident's right! BarbecuesPropane gas barbecues are prohibited on campus. Charcoal barbecues are prohibited on all balconies, patios, or within 25 feet of a building Pet PolicyIn addition to the campus pet policy, no animal, with the exception of fish in a 10 gallon or less tank, are to be taken into or kept in any residential facility. Any resident found to be in possession of an animal, other than above specified fish, shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Smoking PolicyUCSC is committed to providing a healthy, smoke-free environment for everyone. Smoking is not allowed in any University building, including the residence halls and apartments. No burning of incense is allowed in any residential facility. No smoking is allowed on the porches, balconies, or in stairwells. It is important to know that you are not allowed to smoke within 25 feet of building entrances or air intakes. Aerial ObjectsIn order to ensure the safety of all members of the college community and their property, the quad or patio areas, including the apartment common area, are not to be used for play involving ball throwing, water balloons, Frisbees, etc. Residents are responsible for damages or clean-up charges that result from such action. Roofs and Ledge Areas, BalconiesThe unauthorized presence of residents or objects on roof or ledge areas is prohibited at all times. Any items that can fall from balconies and cause personal injury or damage are not to be placed on balconies or railings. WindowsFor safety, throwing anything from or at windows, balconies, or buildings is strictly prohibited. Residents are responsible for damages or clean-up charges that result from this action. To insure your safety, it is prohibited to exit or enter rooms through windows. Skateboards, Rollerskates, RollerbladesIn order to protect the safety of pedestrians at UCSC, and to comply with noise policies, the use of skateboards, Rollerblades or rollerskates anywhere on campus is strictly prohibited. This campus policy is enforced by the UCSC Police Department. Citations will be issued. Bicycles, Mopeds and MotorcyclesTo comply with fire regulations and for general safety, bicycles may not be parked in walkways, hallways, stairways, or entranceways. Illegally parked bicycles will be impounded at the campus police station. Mopeds and motorcycles must be parked in designated areas. Because they contain flammable liquid, under no circumstances are mopeds and motorcycles allowed in buildings. Guest PolicyA guest is a student or non-student. A guest is anyone being hosted by residents in rooms or apartments to which the guest is not assigned. A non-student guest must have a hosting UCSC student to be present in residential buildings, rooms or apartments. The hosting individual(s) must be a resident of the room or apartment the guest is staying in. The housing contract limits the stay of any one guest to a maximum of three consecutive days, and a total of fifteen days during any one academic year. The host must have their roommate(s)' permission before a guest is permitted. It's also best to notify your RA if you host an overnight guest. Although roommates are encouraged to work out their hosting privileges with one another, the rights of the residents take priority over those of the guest. If your roommate does not want the guest, the guest needs to leave.  Guests must abide by all University and residence hall rules and regulations including but not limited to pets, drug and alcohol, noise, etc. Host students are responsible for their guest and must ensure that they abide by policy and do not interfere with the enjoyment of the residential facilities by other residents. To ensure this, the host student should make every effort to be with the guest whenever possible. If a guest arrives at UCSC after 8pm, the host must inform the entrance kiosk (831-459-3377) of the guest's arrival in order for the guest to be allowed on campus. HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL LIFEHousing ContractPay attention to the provisions of your housing contract. It is a lease agreement and is a binding legal document. The goal of the University is to be a responsible landlord and we expect you to be a responsible tenant in return. Keep your copy of the Terms and Conditions of Undergraduate Housing 2009-10. If you need a copy, pick one up at the Housing and Residential Life Office. Cancellation/ModificationAll housing contracts are issued for a period of one academic year - not a portion of a year. Students who have signed a housing contract are expected to fully honor the provisions of that contract. Entering into any other housing agreement during the period of your contract will have no effect upon the conditions of the contract, unless specifically agreed to in writing by the student and the University. The contract may be terminated for academic reasons, (graduation, withdrawal, change of college, study abroad/field quarter) or on an exceptional basis. All cancellations of Housing Contracts are not automatic unless approved by the college. If your request for cancellation is denied by the college, you may request a review by the Housing Appeal Board. Cancellation will result in a $200 cancellation-processing fee if the request is approved. PaymentsThe Campus Housing Office at 104 Hahn Student Services Building handles all housing payments. They can help you establish a payment plan if quarterly payments pose a financial burden. They can be reached at (831) 459-2394. Meal PlansMeal Plans are required by your housing contract. You may upgrade your plan at any time. If you want to change your meal plan for the next quarter you may during the Filing Periods in November and February. Any other modifications may be approved for medical or financial reasons only. Quarter BreaksThe period of residence between fall and winter quarters is not covered by your housing contract. Residents are able to stay during spring break. Residents who have canceled their contracts for the end of one quarter must move out at the end of that quarter. Dining services are closed during quarter breaks and the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. RoommatesThe Cowell Housing Staff does all it can to produce the best roommate matches possible. Tools we offer for healthy community living are a Roommate Agreement and Household Living Agreement Forms. These forms are a starting point for discussion and a space to come to agreements. Conflicts between roommates do still occur. Many can be avoided through discussion. If conflict arises: talk with your roommate(s) and review or renegotiate agreements. Ask a member of the residential staff for ideas on addressing the issues or ask the residential staff to help you and your roommate(s) through a mediated discussion. Room ChangesThe College expects roommates to make positive attempts to resolve issues including a mediation with staff. If all members involved (including staff) are unable to resolve conflicts, you may go to the Housing and Residential Life Office to pick up a Room Change Request Form. Depending on available spaces and urgency, staff will relocate you as possible. Please note that during Fall quarter housing is usually full and it may be difficult to change rooms. As the academic year progresses, there is more flexibility. At all times, Cowell College reserves the right to change your room assignment at the University's discretion. If room consolidation is necessary, students are expected to welcome new roommate(s). Please refer to the Terms and Conditions of Undergraduate Housing 2009-10 for more information. Room ConditionYour room will be your home for the next nine months. Our expectation is that your room be left in the same condition as it was when you moved in. Review the Room Condition Report in your room. Return the signed form to a Residential Staff member. This report will be used to compare the condition of your room when you leave, to the condition of it when you moved in. The Room Condition Report is for your protection and you will be thankful you filled one out. Apartment residents are required to also fill out an Apartment Condition Report. Apartments are inspected for general cleanliness and safety on a quarterly basis, while residence hall room s are inspected for safety over the winter break. Check OutAll residents will be checked out by a member of staff. They will inspect the room with the resident and do an initial damage assessment. Residents will return keys upon completion of check out. Improper check out (including missed appointment or checking out late) will result in a $50 fee. The maintenance staff expends a considerable amount of time and energy to keep Cowell College as nice as possible and to keep housing costs as low as possible. It's also up to the residential community to support these efforts. ChargesRepairs due to damages to college or university property, whether accidentally or intentionally, are billed to the students. Charges for damages are based on the cost of the material and labor needed to repair damage. Missing furniture from rooms or common spaces is considered theft and billed for. (For lock-out charge information, see Safety and Security.) PDFs of the current cleaning and repair charge amounts are posted on the University Dining ServicesResidents find mealtime an opportunity to see friends, visit and relax. Dining hours for most dining halls, including Cowell, are 7:15am-7pm, Monday through Friday. Weekends and holidays, brunch is from 10am-2pm and dinner is 5-7pm. Meals-to-Go are available during the week to accommodate schedule conflicts, but not during finals week. The campus currently features four active dining halls that students access with their ID card. Your meal plan may also be used at many food service locations on campus, including most Campus Cafes. ID CardsYour photo ID Card will be with you during all your time at UCSC. If it is lost or damaged, you can buy a new one from ID Card services in the Quarry Plaza. Your ID Card, in addition to being photo identification, is also your dining hall meal card, a bus pass for the whole county, your gym membership and library card. You must have an ID on you at all times while on campus. Residential ServicesMaintenanceFor maintenance issues students can file a fix-it ticket at http://fixit.ucsc.edu/. This ticket is sent directly to our maintenance personnel. LaundryThere are three laundry rooms in the college, one in each quad and one in Apartment Building 1. The laundry rooms are equipped with washers, dryers, and ironing boards. Irons are not provided. For equipment maintenance issues see instructions in the laundry room.  Your mailbox is located in Apartment Building 1. Box numbers are handed out by the mail room when you arrive. Your address is:
[Your name] ITS Voice ServicesThe ability to make local and toll-free calls is provided in all on-campus residential rooms as part of your room rate. One telephone line and one voicemail box will be assigned to every two people in a room. You will need a calling card to make long distance calls from your room. You need to provide your own phone. For more information, contact Telecom at (831) 459-4255 or online at http://its.ucsc.edu/services/telephone. ResNetUsing the Ethernet port in every bedroom provides fast Internet connection. No special fees or charges for this Internet access apply. Once service is established, you can refer to the website http://resnet.ucsc.edu or e-mail ITS Help Desk can help answer questions about basic computer software applications as well as lost passwords. Call them at 9-HELP (831-459-4357). They are located in the basement of Kerr Hall. Cable is provided to each room. Students need to supply the cable cord as well as a television. A listing of TV channel lineup can be found online. RecyclingThe UCSC community encourages recycling. Recycling materials can be deposited in the appropriate containers behind each residence hall and Apartments 1 and 3. Water ConservationWater conservation has become part of daily life in Santa Cruz. Please follow all recommended water conservation guidelines. Report any leaks or situations that appear to waste water. HealthThe Cowell Health Center is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 9:30am to 4:30pm on Wednesday. Urgent care is available at Dominican Hospital and Santa Cruz Medical Clinic on Mission Street. AppliancesFor fire safety, cooking is not allowed in resident rooms. Small appliances (electric kettles, coffee makers) are okay. Do not use appliances with open elements (i.e. hot plates, toaster ovens). Each residence hall has a microwave in one of the lounges for all residents' use. Portable space heaters are also not allowed. The residence halls are adequately heated seven days a week from 5am to 10am and 4pm to midnight. Safety and SecurityWhile the university community and the town of Santa Cruz are considered friendly and relatively safe, neither is immune to the realities of the world. Take precautions to secure your personal property. Attend workshops about personal safety and security when they are presented in the residence hall or see your RAs about sponsoring a program. You must consider your personal security and be aware of vulnerable situations. Ask unknown persons on your floor whom they are visiting. Report any suspicious activity immediately to your RA, CSO, CRE or the Campus Police. Be ready to describe them. Such reports in the past have helped in the arrest of burglary suspects and the prevention of further loss. With so many people (bikes, computers, and stereos) living together, the halls are prime targets for thefts. Work with your RAs to create a "neighborhood watch" type of awareness to protect your community. To report any fire, personal injury, crime in progress, traffic accident or other life-threatening emergencies: DIAL 911. For any other urgent matters that need assistance, please contact the Cowell Housing Office (business hours), the RA on duty, or the CSOs. The staff is here to help you and connect you to appropriate resources. KeysHaving keys, you are partially responsible for the security of your building. In order to maintain security, you must report all lost keys to the Housing and Residential Life Office immediately. Your lock will be changed and you will be issued new keys. If your keys do not show up after one month, you will be billed $115 for their replacement. If your keys turn up, you will only be charged a $15 labor/administrative fee. For the protection of you and your belongings (as well as your roommate's), please do not leave your room unlocked or obstruct the closure mechanism, even when you are in the building. Keys must be turned in at move-out or you will be billed. Lock-outsAlways carry your keys with you. If you get locked out of your room, housing staff can check you out a key during office hours. Evenings and weekends, RAs & CSOs can check you out a spare. Contact information and hours of availability are posted around the college. You receive three free lockouts during the year. Afterwards, your student account is charged $15 each lock out. Residence Hall DoorsFor security purposes, entry doors of each building are locked. You can assist in the security of your house by making sure doors are securely locked when you enter or leave the building and by not letting people whom you do not know into the building. Please do not prop doors open. If you see someone loitering or acting in a suspicious manner, contact your RA, CRE, CSO, Housing Office or the Campus Police. In the Event of a Fire:
Evacuation from Fire Area
If you are Trapped in a Room during a Fire
If an Earthquake Hits
Fire RegulationsAny person who willfully tampers with or breaks any public or private fire alarm apparatus or any fire fighting equipment or gives, transmits or sounds any false alarm of fire is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any such violation could result in disciplinary action and a maximum fine of $500 and six months in jail. Fire hoses are for the use of the fire department when they arrive on the scene. Extinguishers and alarms are for your use, should the need arise. The cost of refilling a misused extinguisher, as well as damages resulting from the extinguisher being discharged, will be charged to whoever was responsible. Do not cover or hang anything on the sprinkler system or smoke detector. Open flames (Candles, Kerosene Lamps, Stoves or Similar Items) are not allowed. All halogen lamps are prohibited. The College has established evacuation plans in case of fire; information is provided in your building/apartment. Mountain LionsUCSC and the surrounding areas are mountain lion habitat and while encounters are rare, they do occur. Take the time to read the signs posted around campus to familiarize yourself with mountain lion encounters. Please report all mountain lion sightings as well as animal carcass that could be attributed to a lion kill to Animal Control at (831) 459-2231. Dangerous ItemsFirearms, paintball, BB, pellet guns, knives, fireworks, and other dangerous items, even for display purposes, are prohibited by Federal, State, local and University regulations. Possession of any dangerous items can result in judicial action by the college and possible criminal action as dictated by law. DamageAny person causing damage to University property will be asked to cease the damaging action or use of damaging item, and billed in accordance with the destruction. Serious or repeated violations may lead to Housing Contract termination or other disciplinary action. Federal/State LawsThe University abides by all Federal, State and local laws. It is the responsibility of each member of the Community to know and follow any applicable laws. You are expected to abide by these laws. City, county, state and federal law enforcement officials have jurisdiction on campus. The Campus Police are sworn state law enforcement officers. COWELL COLLEGE RESOURCE LINKSThese links will take you to some of Cowell's online resources.
CAMPUS LIFE RESOURCE LINKSThese links direct you to some of UCSC’s resources. Directories, Navigation, and Calendars:
Partial List of Campus Life Units
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CAO/Provost Funds for 
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