“There’s no way this is real, there’s no way this is happening.”

That was Daniel Mejia’s first thought when he opened his email on Jan. 23. As a first-year Education Opportunity Programs (EOP) student, he was shocked to read the updated 2024-25 continuing student housing process.

“I had to call my parents and tell them, this is what the school is deciding to do,” Mejia said.  “I felt anxious and nervous at the same time because this is a really bad thing.”

The administration informed students they would be removing priority housing groups from consideration in the on-campus housing application process. Instead, a lottery system will randomize most students’ chances of securing housing.

Confusion spread across campus. Students began posting on social media to express their disappointment, frustration, and anxiety about finding housing next year. 

Housing administrators created the new lottery system to account for the increase in students eligible for Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) due to Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) eligibility changes. Because of this increase, more students would be eligible for priority than beds available on campus. 

According to Dave Keller, interim associate vice chancellor for colleges, housing, and educational services, over 2,000 students would qualify for priority housing but may not be offered a bed. He described the change as “more like an adaptation to changing circumstances.”

For all students who had priority, the new housing lottery system is a loss. 

“The lottery system is really, really annoying because a lot of international students were banking on the fact that we will get housing,” said Eddy Qi, a first-year international student. “Getting off-campus housing is already really hard for anybody. It’s a lot to pile on for an international student in such a short period of time.”

The new application period has moved forward six weeks, starting Feb. 26 and ending March 4, to give students more time to secure off-campus housing if they are waitlisted or do not get on-campus accommodations.

Some groups of students can get pre-assigned housing before the lottery begins: RAs, NAs, students who require Disability Resource Center (DRC) accommodations, and students accepted into themed housing such as African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) housing. However, by getting pre-assigned, students give up the chance to live with friends and can be placed anywhere on campus.

Incoming first-years and transfers are guaranteed one year of housing if they enroll for the upcoming fall quarter. Instead of relying on priority on-campus housing for their second year, freshmen may have to start looking for off-campus housing during their first year at the university.

“You’re just figuring out how to be a student your first year. You’re figuring out, where can I make friends? I wanna find some spots to hang out, find some good eats in Santa Cruz,” said Nicolas Robles, the vice president of the Student Housing Coalition at UCSC. “I don’t think it’s fair for the students, especially first years, to be dealing with all those pressures, especially because they didn’t even know this was happening until halfway into their first year.”

Dave Keller explained that the administration created a full-time position to help students navigate the housing market. Housing administration staff have visited different resource centers such as Slug Support and EOP to provide information about the new system and clarify the changes with staff.  

Students not assigned housing once the housing lottery period is over will be placed on the waitlist. Housing staff will first assign waitlisted Renaissance Scholars, Regents Scholars, and students with DRC accommodations. 

Keller said applying on time and flexibility with housing options is the best way to increase students’ chances of getting on-campus housing. Students still remain fearful they won’t find housing; some think leaving is the only hope.

“I’m actually planning on transferring out of UCSC after next year because the housing crisis is really bad here,” Daniel Mejia said. “And especially with the chance that I will not be able to get housing, there’s no point in staying.”