Living in Hitch Suites at UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The Hitch Student Residences at UCLA offer a unique living experience for students. Located on the northwest edge of campus, this multi-award-winning complex provides a vibrant and socially engaging environment. This article will delve into the various aspects of living in Hitch Suites, from the suite layouts and amenities to the rules and regulations that govern on-campus housing.

Hitch Suites Overview

Hitch Student Residences is a complex of four three-story residential buildings organized around a series of courtyards and a new commons building with shared amenities and meeting spaces. At 75,000 square feet, the Hitch Suites student residence project is composed of four buildings, each three-stories high with a total of 81 units and lodge 380 students in total. The complex has been transformed into a memorable and socially vibrant environment for future generations of students.

Suite Layout and Amenities

Each suite in the complex consists of two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a living room. Every room is furnished with a bed (twin XL), desk, and dresser (both closet and drawer space) for each resident. The suites, Hitch and Saxon, are unique building types. Each complex is broken up into smaller buildings, with outside entrances to each unit. With a recent renovation, the suites have more indoor and outdoor social and study space.

Commons Building

The existing Commons Building was completely replaced with a new two-story, 4,700-square-foot Commons Building consisting of a student kitchen, laundry facilities, administration offices, and plenty of open, shared spaces for students to study and connect with each other. There are also community laundry rooms at Hitch and Saxon.

Climate Considerations

Although the buildings do not have air conditioning, nice breezes off the ocean that is only 5 miles away help keep temps cooler.

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On Campus Housing Regulations

As an On Campus Housing resident, you are responsible for abiding by the On Campus Housing Regulations as well as the UCLA Student Conduct Code. These regulations have been designed to create safe, supportive, and inclusive living-learning communities that engage residents in the fostering of their academic success, personal growth, leadership development, and social responsibility. As a member of the community, it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these policies and abide by them. Violation of any of the following policies jeopardizes your housing contract, violates the UCLA Student Code of Conduct §102.07, and may result in University Sanctions.

General Conduct Regulations

These regulations have been categorized into four sections.

Alcohol

Regulations regarding the possession, consumption, or distribution of alcoholic beverages within or on grounds immediately adjacent to the On Campus Housing facilities include the following:

Consumption, manufacture, distribution (including through delivery), dispensing, use, or sale of, or attempted consumption, manufacture, distribution, dispensing, or sale of alcohol, which is unlawful or otherwise prohibited by, or not in compliance with any University policy or campus regulations is prohibited.
Possession of visible containers, opened or closed, (e.g. cups, cans, bottles, cases/boxes, on which alcoholic beverage insignia appear) anywhere within or on grounds immediately adjacent to the On Campus Housing facilities except in an assigned student room when the door is closed and the alcoholic beverage cannot be detected from outside the room/suite, is prohibited. If alcohol possession or consumption can be detected from outside the room/suite, it is considered public, visible and in violation of this policy. This includes containers used as decorative items.
Possession of bulk alcoholic beverages, that is, amounts for storage or use that is excessive under the circumstances for personal use is prohibited. Devices or activities intended or used for the rapid consumption of alcoholic beverages such as “borgs”, beer bongs, funnels, etc.,) are prohibited.
Violation of any other provision of the Housing Regulations or UCLA Student Code of Conduct while under the influence of alcohol is considered an additional violation of the Housing Regulations.
Inability to exercise care for one’s own safety, the safety of others or the safety of property owned by the University or others due in whole or in part to being under the influence of alcohol is considered a violation of Section A.1 of the Housing Regulations.
Regardless of ownership or origin, staff members are authorized to require residents to dispose of alcoholic beverages, kegs, beer balls, taps, or other mechanisms used to dispense alcohol. if the possession of the beverages is a violation of State Law or Housing Regulations. Staff members may require residents to dispose of alcoholic beverages if the possession of the beverages is a violation of State Law or Housing Regulations.
Providing, selling, or causing to be sold any alcoholic beverage to any other person is prohibited.
Drinking games, including, but not limited to, beer pong, flip cups, and quarters, is prohibited. Simulated drinking games are also prohibited regardless of whether or not alcohol is used.

Controlled Substances/Illegal Drugs

Regulations pertaining to the possession, use, misuse or distribution of controlled substances within or on grounds immediately adjacent to the On Campus Housing facilities include the following:

The manufacture, distribution (including through delivery), dispensing, possession, use of, sale of, or attempted manufacture, distribution, dispensing, use of, or sale of controlled substances identified in Federal or State laws or regulations is prohibited (including medical marijuana).
Possession or use of drug-related paraphernalia is prohibited.
Violation of any other regulation while under the influence of a controlled substance is considered an additional violation of On Campus Housing Regulations.
Inability to exercise care for one’s own safety, the safety of others, or the safety of property owned by the University or others due in whole or in part to being under the influence of a controlled substance is considered a violation of this policy.
The use of any prescribed medication or over the counter drugs in an abusive manner is prohibited. Prescription medication may only be used by the person to whom it is prescribed for its intended purposes.

Disruptive Behavior

Behavior that disrupts or interferes with the orderly functions in or around the On Campus Housing community or requires staff intervention is prohibited. Additionally, acts or behaviors that disrupt or interfere with others’ normal use of facilities or privileges are prohibited.

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Explosives, Chemicals, or Highly Combustible Materials

Chemicals, explosives, or highly combustible materials that are potentially dangerous or damaging to the buildings or their occupants are prohibited in and around the On Campus Housing facilities. These include, but are not limited to gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner, vehicle batteries, unauthorized pesticides, and/or charcoal starters. Residents are not permitted to bring or possess Fireworks, including firecrackers of any size. Fireworks are defined as any device containing any combustible or explosive substance for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation. Residents are not permitted to bring or possess an Incendiary or Destructive Device. An Incendiary or Destructive Device is any device that is constructed or designed to start an incendiary fire including any sealed devices containing dry ice or other chemically reactive substances assembled for the purpose of causing an explosion, flame, or smoke by chemical reaction.

Failure to Comply

Failure to identify oneself upon request to or comply with the directions of a University official (such as Resident Assistants, Resident Directors, Housing Safety Ambassadors, Community Service Officers, University Police, etc.) is prohibited.
Resisting, obstructing, or providing false information to such University officials (defined above) in the performance of or the attempt to perform their duties is prohibited.

Fire Safety

Students and guests are required to evacuate any On Campus Housing facility, in accordance with the Fire department evacuation procedures, immediately upon the sound of an alarm or an order to evacuate. Re-entry may not occur until authorization is given by University personnel.
Room doors, fire doors, hallways and stairwells may not be obstructed.
Activating false fire alarms or misusing, removing, or tampering with fire protection devices (including but not limited to smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, and alarm pull stations) is prohibited.

Gambling

Illegal gambling in University-Owned Housing facilities is prohibited, i.e., activities played for money, checks, credit, or any other item representative of value (e.g., chips or markers to be traded in later for cash), as provided for in Section 330 of the California Penal Code.

Guests

UCLA housing is provided exclusively for residents with a current Housing Contract. Residents are permitted to host up to 2 guests with the consent of all residents of the unit. A guest is any person who accompanies a resident within or around the On Campus Housing community and/or into a building they do not live in. Resident hosts are required to be present with their guests at all times. Allowing a person entrance into a building and leaving them unattended is prohibited. Guests who are disruptive, violate University policy, or Housing Regulations may be required to leave the premises, be excluded, and prohibited from entering all UCLA housing communities. Residents are fully responsible for the conduct of their guests and for informing their guests of University policies and On Campus Housing regulations pertaining to conduct within the On Campus Housing community. Residents may be held responsible in lieu of the guest for a guest’s violation of University regulations. to be signed in by the Access Monitors upon providing valid photo identification.
Residents may accommodate overnight guests, no more than four (4) nights per month, with the prior consent of all residents of the unit. may be deemed an overnight guest.
Resident hosts are expected to be present with their guests at all times while dining in the residential restaurants. Swiping a guest into a residential restaurant and leaving them unattended is prohibited.

Identification

Students must be in possession of their UCLA BruinCard at all times and present it to University personnel upon request. BruinCard is the property of UCLA and is non-transferable. All other persons within the On Campus Housing community must be in possession of and present valid photo identification to University personnel upon request. Persons who fail to provide appropriate identification may be required to leave the On Campus Housing community. Children under 16 years of age and accompanied by their legal guardian or resident host who has valid photo identification are an exception.

Misuse or Vandalism of Property/Theft

Unauthorized possession, use or misuse, removal, defacing, tampering, damage or destruction of university property or the property of others is prohibited.

Noise

All residents and guests are expected to be considerate of noise levels, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Noise including, but not limited to voices, amplified music, televisions, musical instruments, radios must be maintained at all times at a level which does not disturb any other resident. Residents are expected to dialogue and provide reasonable requests of neighbors to reduce noise levels at all times. Residents are expected to comply with the requests of others to reduce noise levels at all times. Specifically designated Quiet Hours:

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- Sunday 10:00pm through Monday 8:00am
- Monday 10:00pm through Tuesday 8:00am
- Tuesday 10:00pm through Wednesday 8:00am
- Wednesday 10:00pm through Thursday 8:00am
- Thursday 10:00pm through Friday 8:00am
- Saturday 1:00am through Saturday 9:00am
- Sunday 1:00am through Sunday 9:00am
During Quiet Hours it is each resident’s responsibility to be certain that no noise can be heard outside of their room/suite or in neighboring rooms, halls, shared common spaces, or outside of the building. Exceptions may be made for Residential Life approved programs.
daily beginning on the first Sunday preceding 10th week through the last two (2) weeks of each quarter during the academic year. Extended quiet hours shall be observed by all residents and guests of any floor which chooses to designate additional quiet hours. During the summer sessions, extended quiet hours must be observed when posted.

Security and Emergency Systems

Tampering with or bypassing the safety and security systems of On Campus Housing facilities (including, but not limited to, propping open, forcibly opening, or unauthorized use of emergency and exterior doors) is prohibited. Room doors must be closed and locked when the room is unoccupied and no resident of that room is in the immediate vicinity or when occupants are sleeping.

Hostile/Intimidating Behavior

Engaging in conduct which a reasonable person would be intimidated by under the circumstances that is directed to any person while on or in the On Campus Housing community is prohibited.

Throwing Objects

Projecting objects or substances (including, but not limited to, trash, bottles, and liquids) from or within facilities is prohibited within the On Campus Housing community.

Weapons

UCLA Policy 131 - Weapons on Campus applies on On Campus Housing premises, including parking facilities, at all times. Residents and guests are prohibited from:

Possession, storage, use, or manufacture of weapons or replicas, except as expressly permitted by law and UCPD policy. This prohibition includes the use or possession of sporting items such as archery equipment and martial arts practice weapons; weapons or replicas used for decorative purposes; weapons rendered inoperable; and ammunition.
Possession of a loaded or unloaded Firearm or an assembled or disassembled Firearm.
Possession of a “Generally Prohibited Weapon” (California Penal Code §16590).
Possession of an Imitation Firearm which includes but is not limited to any BB device, toy gun, paintball gun, replica of a Firearm, or other device that is substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance to an existing Firearm as to lead a reasonable person to perceive that the device is a Firearm.
Possession of a Lethal Weapon which includes but is not limited to large knives, ice picks, daggers, knives or similar implements with fixed blades longer than 2.5 inches, and other similar instruments. Kitchen cutlery used exclusively for the preparation and consumption of food is permissible.
Possession of a “Less Lethal Weapon” which includes but is not limited to a device that is designed to or that has been converted to expel or propel less lethal ammunition by any action, mechanism, or process for the purpose of incapacitating, immobilizing, or stunning a human being through the infliction of any less than lethal impairment of physical condition, function, or senses, including physical pain or discomfort. Examples include but are not limited to pepper spray, batons, tasers, and “Stun Guns. See UCLA policy 131 - Weapons on Campus

Video or Audio Recording and Camera Use

Making a video recording, audio recording, image capture, taking photographs, or streaming audio/video of any person in a location in or around University-owned, leased or controlled property without that person’s knowledge and express consent is prohibited. The installation of personal security/surveillance equipment (Ring, Nest, SimpliSafe) is not permitted. “Express consent” is clear, unmistakable and voluntary consent that may be in written.

Bias Incidents

As stated by the University of California’s Principles of Community grounded in the mission of teaching, research and public service, UCLA seeks to foster open-mindedness, understanding, compassion and inclusiveness among individuals and groups. UCLA will work to promptly address acts of discrimination, harassment, profiling or other conduct causing harm to individuals on the basis of expression of race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religious beliefs, political preference, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship or national origin. Such conduct violates UCLA’s Principles of Community and may result in imposition of sanctions according to campus policies governing the conduct of students, staff, and faculty.

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