University of California - Santa CruzCampus Strictness Summary

Written by Randy Silver

Randy Silver

Hometown

Irvine, California

Major

Environmental Science and Economics

Grad Year

2015

View all previous student authors

Campus Security Officers (CSOs) patrol campus every night, and they range from tolerant to not-so-tolerant. However, most UCSC students agree that it is easy to drink or smoke on campus without getting caught—as long as you aren’t really causing a ruckus, security will leave you alone. While many times they just issue warnings, CSOs will occasionally write somebody up and confiscate the illegal substances. This isn’t that bad if it happens once, but if it occurs more than three times, the University may suspend your on-campus housing privileges. Generally, CSOs are not bad people and are just doing their jobs. Students emphasize that it is important to form a relationship with security officers because you will get in less trouble if the people in charge like you.

Campus strictness depends on what college students are in and which CSOs happen to be patrolling that night. Not many students say the punishments are too harsh. The CSOs do make it difficult to have a big party in your room or pull any really huge stunts, though. If you have more than 12 people in your room, the CSO will make his presence known quickly. However, if you are just having a few beers in your room, they won’t give you any trouble. Besides the dorms, there are other places on campus that are good hangouts. Students frequently wander out to Porter Meadow and have bonfires out in the backwoods. Sometimes, students even bring kegs out there, but they run the risk of being caught by local cops. Again, the bigger the party, the more likely it will get broken up.