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Campus Resources

Quick Guide to Campus Resources

SISS is part of a campus community that supports international students and scholars. There are many services available, and though this list below is not comprehensive, SISS has prioritized resources that staff agree are most helpful to the community.

View the Quick Guide as a printable PDF

For All International Students and Scholars  

Visa and Immigration Support by Services for International Students and Scholars 

  • Advising – Assist international students, faculty and researchers and their accompanying family members with visa and immigration issues. Advisors are available for in-person and virtual appointments. 
  • iGlobal – A portal where international students, scholars and host departments can access all necessary immigration and visa forms. 
  • Travel Resources – Information on required and recommended travel documents, as well as advice for various travel scenarios, including preparing for reentry and renewing visas abroad. 

Orientation and Welcome Events 

Communication and Community Building 

  • GradLink Newsletter – A monthly newsletter publication for the entire UC Davis graduate education community, including both graduate students and postdocs, that includes news, announcements, updates and other information. 
  • Homebase – A platform to connect with other international students and scholars and learn about events and opportunities.  

Funding Support 

  • Global Community Emergency Fund – Provide direct support to UC Davis international students, scholars, faculty and staff with an urgent financial need due to humanitarian crises, including natural disasters, conflict or economic hardship. 

For All Students 

Orientation and Welcome Events 

  • Campus Orientation – Share information about UC Davis academic policies and international student visa regulations. 
  • Welcome Events – In-person and virtual opportunities to learn about campus resources/activities, health and financial wellness, as well as community-building activities. 

Support for Global Learning and Careers

  • Global Learning Funding  – Opportunities to support global learning that include awards, fellowships, grants, scholarships, and funds to offset or fully cover program costs.
  • GoinGlobal – A portal that provides career advice and services for students on U.S. and internationally-based career options.

For Undergraduate Students 

Orientation and Welcome Events 

  • Aggie 101 –  An online undergraduate student orientation that provides a resource and services overview for all new undergraduate students. 

Communication and Community Building 

  • Pal Program –  Pairs undergrads for intercultural conversations. 
  • Global Impact Fellowship – Student-led initiative that addresses a global+local issue where students can hone project management, leadership and technical skills. 

For Graduate Students, Including Postdocs

Orientation and Welcome Events 

  • Aggie 201 – An online graduate student orientation that provides a resource and services overview for all new graduate students. 
  • Graduate Student Resource Fair – An annual, in-person event in September to welcome all new incoming graduate students to campus while providing campuswide contacts and resources. 

Language and Academic Support 

  • Language & Culture Coaching – Help multilingual graduate students work towards developing their oral English skills so they can communicate effectively as TAs. 
  • Test of Oral English Proficiency – Offer the TOEP, an exam used to determine whether prospective TAs have met the language requirement, at the end of the summer and each academic quarter. 
  • Language Advising – Individual appointments to assist students with their language requirements. 
  • Training – Annual training for Graduate Faculty Advisors on international student issues featuring SISS colleagues. 

Funding Support 

  • Graduate Studies Emergency Grant Program – Support for any enrolled graduate student in academic graduate programs who is experiencing unexpected challenges such as health emergencies, family emergencies, and accidents or natural disasters. 

Additional Support From Graduate Studies

  • Graduate Center at Walker Hall – A dedicated space for graduate students and postdocs with resources including counseling services, a parent study room, rooms for working or building community, and the Graduate Student Pantry. 

For Scholars and Postdocs

Scholar Coffee Breaks

SISS hosts monthly virtual gatherings for all international scholars: researchers, faculty and professional staff. Whether a scholar is new to campus or has been here for several months or years, these morning events are an opportunity to connect with others
throughout the UC Davis community. All international scholars are invited to pour themselves a cup of coffee, tea, water or their
favorite morning drink and join this welcoming space. 

Find this event on the SISS event calendars.

UC Postdoc Association

UC Davis is home to more than 1,000 postdoctoral scholars. The Postdoctoral Scholars Association (PSA) provides resources, information and representation for postdoctoral scholars on the UC Davis campus. 

Additional Campus Community Resources

Food, Necessities, Assistance

ASUCD Pantry

No one has to miss a meal or live without basic necessities. This student-run, student-led organization provides food and other essentials to UC Davis students, faculty and staff. Located in Memorial Union. The Associated Students of the University of California, Davis (ASUCD). 

Fruit and Veggie Up

Free produce for UC Davis students! Check in with the Memorial Union Information Desk for the days and times.

Aggie Eats

This pay-what-you-want food truck operates on campus Monday through Friday during the academic year and serves students only. Each day, students will find a nutritious and delicious meal. Order as much as you want (up to three meals) and pay what you can, but there’s no pressure to pay. The truck is open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. or until it runs out of food. Locations
change daily. 

Specialized Ride Services 

Safe Rides With The UC Davis Police

Alone on campus and not feeling safe? Safe Ride offers nighttime rides from any campus location to any location in Davis. During other hours, they provide a ride or walking escort between locations on campus. Request a ride through the app “UC Davis Safe Ride.” The Safe Rides Instagram account @ucdsaferide will have more information and answers to your questions. For more information, visit police.ucdavis.edu/safe-rides. Wheelchair accessible service is offered at no charge.

For Individuals With Documented Disabilities

The Mobility Assistance Shuttle provides on-campus rides at specified locations for academic or work-related purposes. Only UC Davis students, staff and faculty members with documented disabilities are eligible. Rides are on a first-come, first-served basis and must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. To schedule a ride, call (530) 752-1084 or visit taps.ucdavis.edu/parking/mas.

Campus Map

Having trouble finding the Memorial Union, or Rock Hall? The UC Davis campus map is searchable by building and mobile-friendly.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Clubs and Organizations at UC Davis and within the larger Davis community are great ways to make friends and experience life outside the classroom during your time at UC Davis.

Associated Students of the University of California, Davis (ASUCD)

The Associated Students of the University of California, Davis (ASUCD) is a large body of Aggies serving Aggies. ASUCD hosts annual events for undergraduate students and manages on-campus units that provide services, including the radio station (KDVS), Unitrans, The Bike Barn, a student-run video production studio (Aggie Studios) and more. By joining ASUCD, students receive leadership opportunities through a variety of volunteer and paid positions available exclusively for students, such as roles in student government, writing for the school newspaper, driving Unitrans, and helping create campus logos through the creative media department.

UC Davis Center for Student Involvement

The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) has over 750 student organizations registered and supported at UC Davis.  At least once a year, CSI hosts the Involvement Fair on the quad, where students can connect and learn about registered student organizations. Find a list of all Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).

Campus Recreation and Activities

Do everything from taking fitness classes, joining an intramural sports team, learning Outdoors and Wilderness Skills, to taking Arts and Crafts classes.

Aggie Pack and UC Davis Athletics 

The Aggie Pack is a student-run organization that attends UC Davis Athletics events to cheer on sports teams. Membership is free to join and is a great chance to make new friends while enjoying campus events at Aggie Stadium and other sports facilities.

SISS-Affiliated Organizations

SISS works with some organizations for the campus international community: 

Sorority and Fraternity Life

Sorority/Fraternity Life (SLF) represents a wide variety of Greek-Lettered organizations. These organizations represent service, leadership, professionalism, and social and civic engagement that they cultivate within each other. SLF has six governing councils that encompass 50 organizations with over 1,600 Aggies as active members. Recruitment varies for each organization, but typically
occurs at the beginning of the fall, winter, and spring quarters. Find them on Instagram at @UCDavisSFL.

On-Campus Centers

Below is a sampling of the Student Centers on campus. Learn more about Student Centers from Student Affairs.

Lotus Mana Center

This welcoming space is open to all students, regardless of identity, who are interested in exploring and understanding the Asian and Pacific Islander diasporic experiences and engaging in productive dialogue and community with others. The center serves as a valuable resource for any student who seeks to develop their cultural competency and contribute to a campus environment that values diversity, connection and a shared commitment to the success of all students.

Middle Eastern, North African and South Asian Resource Center (MENASA)

MENASA welcomes all students, including those who identify with or have ties to the diaspora, community or the region, including countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia and welcomes all to engage and learn through dialogue and cultural exchange.

Undocumented Student Resource Center

The Undocumented Student Resource Center empowers undocumented students, their families, and community members to be informed leaders and active participants in their communities.

Cross-Cultural Center (CCC)

The CCC provides a culturally relevant community space where student voices can be expressed and respected. They identify resources available on- and off-campus for students of color. These spaces are where students are able to find community, explore identities, and celebrate cultures.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) Resource Center

The LGBTQIA Resource Center provides an open, safe, inclusive space and community that promotes education and self-exploration about all sexes, genders, sexualities and their intersections with other identities.

Student Recruitment and Retention Center (SRRC)

The SRRC’s student-run and student-initiated programs foster academic and personal development while raising political and cultural awareness for youth and college students. They educate, engage and empower students to act as leaders for their communities.

Women’s Resource and Research Center (WRRC)

The WRRC is a place for students and the Davis community to learn about resources, and to attend educational programs that focus on gender equity and social justice. It is a great place to meet friends and get involved with on-campus events and student organizations working to address sexism, cissexism and all forms of oppression.

Student Resources

MyUCDavis

Students can use the UC Davis search tool and Contact an Expert through the MyUCDavis web portal to help them find quick answers and people who can help them get the information they need.

Other Resources for Students (and Faculty Who Help Them)

A faculty member put together a helpful list of student resources and frequently asked questions for students. Students and faculty who want to help their students can find answers to questions about academic support, wellness, careers and internships and more.

Common Campus Terms To Know

  • Aggie
  • Derived from the agricultural origins of the school, attendees, alumni and those associated with UC Davis are called Aggies.
  • Gunrock
  • The official mascot of the UC Davis Aggies is a horse named Gunrock, originating from an American Thoroughbred stallion with the same name.
  • Coho
  • Nickname for the Coffee House. Located inside the Memorial Union, it’s a perfect place to grab a quick beverage and study.
  • MU
  • Nickname for the Memorial Union. The MU is UC Davis’s hub for studying, socializing, and snacking.
  • ARC
  • An abbreviation for the UC Davis Activities and Recreation Center. Home to a wide range of equipment, exercise studies, specialty fitness areas, and more.
  • Picnic Day
  • Picnic Day is one of UC Davis’s most revered traditions and serves as the university’s annual Open House for prospective and current students, families, alumni, staff, faculty and the greater Davis and regional communities.
  • Silo
  • Located on the south side of campus, this hub for snacks and food trucks has several restaurants and offers a variety of healthy foods, snacks and drinks.
  • Egghead
  • A series of seven eggheads located throughout campus. During finals week, it’s an Aggie tradition for students to rub the heads of the sculptures for good luck!
  • Involvement Fair
  • At the start of every quarter, come see 400+ student organizations and campus departments to get involved on campus.
  • CSI
  • An acronym for the Center for Student Involvement, which can connect you with student clubs and organizations.
  • Quad
  • The large grass field in front of the Memorial Union is perfect for getting some sun in and spending time with friends.
  • ASUCD
  • Stands for the Associated Students, University of California Davis. ASUCD is a student organization that aims to improve the quality of campus life by providing services and resources to students.
  • Mondavi Center
  • A performing arts venue on campus that hosts concerts, performances, and lectures. Students get discounted pricing and one free ticket to any event each year.
  • Bus Line/Unitrans
  • UC Davis has its own student-run bus system, Unitrans, which offers free transportation for students around campus and the city of Davis.
  • MyUCDavis
  • The student portal where you access academic information, class schedules, financial aid, and grades.
  • OASIS
  • The Online Advising Student Information System, where students can track degree progress, meet with advisors, and more.
  • Tercero, Segundo, and Cuarto
  • The names of the three main residence hall areas where freshmen typically live.
  • UC Davis Bookstore
  • The on-campus store for buying textbooks, school supplies, UC Davis apparel, and other essentials.