Welcome to Unit 2!

Dear Unit 2 Resident,

On behalf of all of the staff at Unit 2, we would like to both congratulate you on your decision to attend one of the finest universities in the world and to welcome you to our residential communities. We hope that you have been enjoying your summer and are excited about living at Cal. To help facilitate your transition, this letter briefly describes how you can access information about your roommate(s), the check-in process, and how to find out more about life at Unit 2 or as we sometimes call it, “Unit 2 Good 2 Be True.”

Please check the right-hand sidebar of this letter to find out your building placement and the contact information for your future roommate(s) in the beginning of August. When the information is available it will be a live link.

You will be able to check into your room on Saturday, August 24, 2013, if you live in a triple. Please arrive between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, when our Residential Staff will be available to assist you. Street parking is limited, so be prepared to unload quickly and move your car. Staff will be located throughout Unit 2 to help your move run smoothly. Although we do not have movers to help you carry your possessions, we will have handcarts available to checkout for a short period of time. Please understand that the waiting time for these carts can be significant. You may want to bring other family members and a hand-truck if you have one, to assist you with your move. Generally, the more self-sufficient you are, the easier a time you will have with your move-in experience.

To help you start off on the right foot with your new roommates, we strongly encourage you to select a bed only after all your roommates have arrived and you have discussed it amongst yourselves. We’ve found that making a joint decision will help you establish a respectful relationship from the very beginning. And don’t forget to take some time during the first 2 weeks to complete your roommate agreement!

We recognize that for many students the thought of sharing a room may result in some reservations, but we ask you to have an open mind. “Cohabitation” is fun, and there is much to be learned about yourself and others. Having a positive relationship with your roommate(s), suitemate(s), or floor mates will add to the richness of your year. It is a proven fact that when you feel at home in your residence, you can be a better student and better able to positively contribute to your living community as well as the greater university community. So come prepared to enjoy your “live-in” experience.

We also strongly encourage you to get involved in the many opportunities within our community. In addition to the many campus organizations, there are various opportunities in the residence halls for you to gain leadership experience. You will learn more about them, (i.e. Hall Association, Peer Review Judicial Board, employment in the halls, etc.) during Welcome Days.

You will be asked to provide information about yourself and who to contact in case of emergency. This information is confidential and will only be used by your Resident Director and/or the Registrar's Office in the event of an emergency. Also, in order to receive important reminders from Cal, you should now update your email address on the Bear Facts website at http://bearfacts.berkeley.edu.

The staff at Unit 2 work hard to create and maintain a safe, clean, and enjoyable community; promoting healthy academic, personal, and social growth throughout the year. They are available to answer any questions you may have and to point you in the right direction. They will also plan various events to help orient you to your physical surroundings and to the academic and social environment at Cal. We strongly encourage you to attend as many events as you can during your first few weeks to help you connect with other students. Be sure to check out the events for the Welcome Days (from August 25-31).

If you have questions regarding your housing assignment, you can contact Cal Housing Assignments Office at (510) 642-4108. If you have questions about move-in day, please look through the move-in day website or call the Move-In-Day Help Line at (510) 642-3213. We hope that you enjoy the rest of your summer and have a safe trip to Cal.

Looking forward to the 2013-2014 school year,

Wade Crawford Resident Director Unit 2 Davidson & Griffiths Halls Grace Poon Resident Director Unit 2 Cunningham & Towle Halls

Willis St. Hill Unit 2 Housing Facilities Manager Nikki Witt Unit 2 Resident Director Ehrman & Wada Halls