Guest Services Information

As you prepare to arrive on campus, here is an overview of information for pre-conference planning, dining, sleeping accommodations, and more. 

Bathrooms

Bathroom facilities are shared by 2-11 rooms (suite-style) or approximately 15 rooms per floor (traditional residence hall-style). Custodial staff maintain public and community-style bathrooms.  

Housekeeping Services

Beds are made before arrival with a pillow, pillowcase, sheets, blanket, and bedspread. Two towels, a washcloth, and a bar of soap are provided. Linens and towels are changed weekly. Conference participants are responsible for maintaining their rooms, including removing trash and recycling items and placing them in appropriate containers. Common areas such as lounges are cleaned daily and bathrooms are cleaned every other day. 

Laundry

Laundry rooms with washers and dryers are located in most residence halls. The unit front desk student assistants can provide directions to the laundry rooms. Payment for laundry service is conducted via phone app or credit card; instructions are posted in each laundry room.  

Telephone Service

Telephones are not provided in individual guest rooms. Conference housing staff and student assistants are not allowed to give out personal guest room or contact information for security reasons.

Vending Machines

Soft drinks, candy, and ice machines are available throughout the residence halls. The unit front desk student assistants can provide more information.

Check-In 

The standard check-in time is 3 p.m., but be sure to check with your conference organizer to know when to arrive. At check-in, you will receive room keys, key fob, meal cards, and information about the facilities. For late-night check-ins or assistance after hours, the front desk telephone number is posted outside of each unit’s administrative building.  

Check-Out

The standard check-out time is 11 a.m., but be sure to check with your conference organizer to know when to depart. Conference participants are asked to turn off lights, lock their room doors, and return room keys/fobs to the unit front office to check-out. Report any damages and/or lost keys before or at the time of check-out.

Keys

Each conference participant will be issued a key and/or key fob for entrance into their building and their room door. Please return your key and/or key fob at check out. 

Damages

Our Housing staff and student assistants complete room inspections for each room before a conference group arrives and after it departs. Any damages found in rooms or public areas will be reported to your conference organizer. 

Unit Front Desk Service

The residence halls’ unit front office is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Office hours are subject to change and will be posted at the unit’s administrative office front desk. In addition to check-in and check-out services, the front desk student assistants will assist you with lost keys, lost meal cards, lockouts, maps, directions, and advice on local attractions. If you need assistance when the unit office is closed, please call the unit’s after-hours number, and your call will be forwarded to the student staff on duty.

Dining 

• Our dining facilities serve three meals each day and offer a wide variety of hot and cold entrees, vegetarian alternatives, and beverages.
• You are welcome to return for unlimited portions.
• Meal cards will not work outside of the assigned meal time slots. Check with your conference organizer to know exact meal time slots.
• Resident meal cards will be provided only for guests and staff living on-site and are not transferable.
• Your meal card must be presented at each meal to gain entrance to the dining hall. 

Amenities & Campus Services

Internet Connectivity 

Complimentary wireless internet (CalVisitor) is available in all bedrooms, meeting rooms, and lounges. 

Mail Services

Place outgoing mail in the U.S. Mail slot located at the unit’s front office. If you receive mail while you are attending a conference, the front desk student assistants will notify you. Please have correspondence addressed to the location indicated in your check-in materials. To ensure prompt delivery of incoming mail, the name of your conference group should be clearly marked on the front of the envelope or package.  

Outgoing Mail

Stamped, outgoing mail may be placed in the U.S. Mail slot located at the front desk of each Unit or residence hall. Other mailing needs must be handled at the nearby U.S. Post Office.

Incoming Mail

Incoming mail should be addressed as follows:
Participant’s Name c/o Conference Name
Residence Hall Name Street Address (See below for specific unit address)
Berkeley, CA Zip (See below for specific unit zip code)

Unit 1
2650 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94720-2274

Unit 2
2650 Haste Avenue Berkeley, CA 94720-2278

Unit 3
2400 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94720-2276

Foothill
2700 Hearst Avenue Berkeley, CA 94720-2292

Stern
Hearst Avenue & Highland Place, Berkeley, CA 94709

Clark Kerr Campus
2601 Warring Street Berkeley, CA 94720-2288

Medical Services

Medical care for registered UC Berkeley students may be obtained on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from the University Health Service located at the Tang Center. Please note the Tang Center does not treat anyone under the age of 18 years old.

For conference participants who are not registered UC Berkeley students, medical care can be obtained at nearby hospitals and medical centers. View a list of local emergency and urgent care centers.

Call 911 from any campus phone to report a life-threatening medical emergency and Berkeley Paramedics will respond.  

Recreation

Enjoy tennis, racquetball, handball, squash, weight training, swimming, running, softball, and volleyball at one of the campus recreation facilities, including the Strawberry Canyon Recreational Area, the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF), and the Golden Bear Recreation Center. 

Check with your conference organizer to see if group arrangements have been made for our facilities in advance. If they have not been, you may use them by paying a daily entry fee. For maps, phone numbers, and facility schedules, please visit the Department of Recreational Sports.

Parking

Parking is available in the Foothill, Clark Kerr, Ellsworth, and Underhill parking lots. Parking codes are required for all vehicles, and they are non-refundable.

• Vehicles with a University Annual, Central Campus, or other UC Systemwide parking permit may park on-site at no additional cost.
• For participants who do not have a campus permit, check with your conference organizer to see if codes have been ordered in advance for you. 

Safety & Security

Smoke and fire detectors in your room and all common areas immediately alert the UCPD and the Berkeley Fire Department and will wake you in the event of a fire. According to the law, you must vacate the building when the alarm sounds. Use the stairs, not the elevators. Fire extinguishers and fire alarms are located on each residence hall floor.

Emergency exits are located at both ends of the hallways. Evacuation plans and alternate exit locations are posted near the elevators in most buildings. Please familiarize yourself with the locations of the emergency exits and fire extinguishers.

In Case of Earthquake

• A severe earthquake in the Bay Area can produce violent shaking that generally lasts from 5 to 60 seconds. The actual movement of the ground in an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most casualties result from falling objects and debris.
• Be prepared for aftershocks which could be as serious as the initial earthquake.
  If you are indoors, stay indoors and seek shelter under a table, desk, or bed. Move away from objects that could fall. Do not use elevators. If you are outdoors, stay away from buildings and windows. Move away from objects that could fall.
• After an earthquake, check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured people unless they are in imminent danger.
• Do not use matches, candles, or open flames, and do not operate electrical switches or appliances, as there may be gas leaks.
• Do not touch downed power lines.
• Listen for special instructions from University officials.
• Do not leave the site without notifying your conference organizer.

In Case of Fire

• If you discover a fire, pull the fire alarm and call 911 from your personal phone or the nearest campus phone to confirm the fire department alert.
• When a fire alarm sounds, feel your room door before opening it to see if it feels hot. If it does not, exit the building immediately. If the door feels hot or if smoke prevents exit, keep the door closed, open the window, and stay by the window until rescued.
• Walk, do not run, to the nearest safe exit. Do not use the elevators. Use the stairs.
  If you encounter smoke or heat, keep low or crawl to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
• Use the fire extinguisher with caution. Always stay between the fire and the exit. If the fire has grown too large, leave the building immediately. 
• Do not reenter the building until authorized by the fire department.

Night Safety

UC Berkeley offers comprehensive free night safety services made up of BearWalk escort, night shuttle buses, and door-to-door service. The time of day determines what services are available.

BearWalks are available from dusk to 3 a.m. (last call at 2:30 a.m.), night shuttles run on routes from 7:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., and the door-to-door service is available from 3 a.m. until 5:30 a.m.

Visit Night Safety Services for more information, or call 510-642-9255 (2-WALK) to make your request.

Personal Safety

• Do not walk alone at night; always try to walk with at least one other person. If you must go out alone at night, use well-lit streets, walk down the middle of dark streets, and avoid walking close to bushes.
• If you take a purse, bag, or backpack with you when you go out, ALWAYS hold it close to your body. Carry your wallet in a safe, inside pocket. Wallets and money should never be visible in public. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash with you.
  Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially if you are alone at night. Take notice of who passes you and who is behind you.
• If you think you are being followed by someone, cross the street and change directions.
• If you are in trouble, attract attention any way you can. Don’t be afraid to run and scream.  If you feel threatened in any way, go to the nearest public place and call the police.
• If you encounter strangers in your building, ask if you can be of assistance. If they refuse to cooperate, call the police by dialing 911 immediately. The police department prefers to investigate numerous reports than to have a single offense occur which could have been avoided.

Theft Protection

• According to statistics, most thefts occur during the day and thieves enter through unlocked doors and windows. Although we take many precautions to secure our buildings, the following tips will help increase security:
• Always keep exterior building doors closed and locked.
• Do not invite strangers into the building or your room.
• Lock your room and take your keys with you when you leave, even if only for a minute.
• Keep valuables out of sight. A thief will usually leave if no valuables are located within the first 30 to 60 seconds.
• Offer assistance to strangers on your floor. If they are someone’s friends, they will appreciate the help; if not, contact the unit front office or ask them to leave.
• When moving in or out, keep your room locked when not occupied. Do not leave your car unlocked while you are away loading or unloading.
• Do not leave personal items in common areas; take them to your room.
• Be alert to protect your neighbor as well as yourself.
• If you hear or see something suspicious, call the police by dialing 911 immediately.
• Keep windows locked while away from your room.

Resources & Phone Numbers