Dear Triton parents and families,

As we reach the final weeks of the quarter, I’ve been reflecting on what a full and meaningful fall it has been. A highlight for our team was welcoming thousands of you to campus for Family Weekend. Seeing families explore campus with their students, come together to support our Food Pantry and Basic Needs Hub, and connect with one another was a powerful reminder of how much your presence and involvement enrich both your students’ lives and our greater Triton community.

With finals fast approaching, that support is as important as ever. Whether your student is in their very first quarter or well into their UC San Diego journey, your check-ins, encouragement and reminders to rest, eat well and ask for help when they need it make a real difference. And as you look ahead to time together over the break, conversations about what went well this fall and what they hope to adjust for winter quarter can help them feel grounded, supported and proud of how far they’ve come.

Whether you’re asking good questions, offering a listening ear, participating in events (virtually or in person), volunteering or championing UC San Diego at home, your involvement strengthens this community in more ways than you know. On behalf of our Parent and Family Programs team, thank you for all the ways you show up for your Triton.

Wishing you and your family a restful, healthy and joyful holiday season.

Best,
Margot

Margot Clifford
Director, Parent and Family Programs

Housing for winter 2026

Newly admitted students for winter 2026 are eligible for the two-year housing guarantee. Move in for winter 2026 is Saturday, Jan. 3. Please encourage your student to keep an eye on their ucsd.edu email for move in instructions.

If your student is interested in living on campus for winter 2026, we encourage them join the winter 2026 housing waitlist. Eligible students must be full-time enrolled (minimum of 12 units) and cannot have a delinquent housing balance.

If your student needs assistance, contact housing at housingcontracts@ucsd.edu. 

Early contract termination and dining plan spending

Has your student been approved for early contract termination? They might be responsible for Dining Dollar or Triton Cash overuse.

Here's how it works: Students receive all of their Dining Dollars and Triton Cash up front, even though they have not technically paid for all of them yet. If your student is approved to move out early, we calculate how much of your funds they should have used based on their approved move-out date. If your student has spent more than the prorated amount up to their approved move-out date, the difference will be charged to your student's account.

Students can contact Dining Engagement at diningengagement@ucsd.edu before terminating to discuss their options. 

Dining Dollar rollover 

If your student did not select a dining plan for 2025-26, their 2024-25 Dining Dollars will expire at the end of fall quarter (Dec. 12, 2025). 

Give back to the Triton Community
Students with Dining Dollar rollover funds will have the opportunity to donate unused dollars to the Swipe Out Hunger campaign runs from Nov. 24 to Dec. 10.  

Extending 2024-25 Dining Dollars 
If your student wants to extend their 2024-25 Dining Dollars but didn’t select a dining plan by Oct. 1, your student can purchase a Triton Community Dining Plan via TritonPay on or before Dec. 12. This will extend your student's 2024-25 Dining Dollars to the end of fall quarter 2026.

Academic breaks for fall and winter 

All campus housing communities are open during university breaks. There is no additional charge for staying on campus for students who need to stay during academic breaks. 

Make sure your student plans ahead for their meals as HDH dining facilities (from the meal plan) and nonaffiliated campus dining facilities may have adjusted hours and closures. Operational hours for HDH dining facilities who accept Dining Dollars from meal plans as a form of payment, review the break and holiday schedules.

Triton men's basketball student tickets

UC San Diego men's basketball is off to an exciting start to the 2025-26 season! Be part of the action and be sure to claim your student tickets in advance each game week (Mondays at 10 a.m.).

For more information scan the QR code or visit our Student Tickets website. Go Tritons!

Our Triton Family Web Series is returning in 2026! Plan to join us on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. PT for the first session of the series. Registration will open in January.

In the meantime, you can check out our YouTube playlist to see previous Triton Family Web Series sessions.

Campus partnership: University Credit Union

As the quarter winds down, we know families continue to care deeply about their student’s financial well-being at UC San Diego. University Credit Union (UCU), the official financial institution partner of UC San Diego, remains committed to providing students with a safe, reliable and convenient on-campus banking experience.

Located in the Price Center, the UCU Banking Hub offers easy access to accounts, personalized assistance and guidance for building strong money habits throughout the academic year.

If you’d like to help your student open an account and build good financial habits, feel free to visit UCU’s website or stop by the Banking Hub. No appointment is needed.

Triton CORE: UC-San Diego’s mobile compassionate response team

Triton CORE is a mobile response team offering compassionate, on-campus support to students experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Staffed by licensed mental health professionals, the team responds to nonviolent situations with trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. Through consent-based interventions, wellness checks, clinical assessments and connections to campus or community resources, Triton CORE helps guide students to the appropriate level of care — supporting their safety, well-being and academic success. Parents and family members can call Triton CORE on behalf of any student on campus.

Triton CORE can be reached by calling the Central CAPS line at 858-534-3755.

• Daytime hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
  Students will first be assessed by urgent care providers, as this is the least restrictive level of support. If an in-person Triton CORE evaluation is warranted, CAPS staff will initiate a Triton CORE response to meet with the student in need.
• Evening hours: 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
  CAPS After Hours Service staff will triage students' needs and decide whether in-person evaluation by Triton CORE is indicated. In these cases, Protocal bypasses UCPD dispatch and contacts Triton CORE clinicians directly via cell phone.

Feeling the quarter ending stress? Willo is here to help.

Willo is a free mobile app tailored to the UC San Diego student experience. Whether deep in midterm prep or just trying to stay balanced, Willo brings everything into one place:

• Events to help unwind
• Resources to support academic success
• Communities that match student interests
• Health and well-being tools to manage stress

Encourage your student to download Willo today and continue their journey supported, connected and ready to thrive.

Health care on campus with UC SHIP

Student Health Services (SHS) is the primary care clinic on campus and is open to all registered students. For those covered by the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP), SHS is the first stop for any health care needs.  

SHS offers a comprehensive range of services including primary care, urgent care, reproductive health, immunizations and tuberculosis testing and telehealth — and provides optometry, lab, imaging and pharmacy services all in one central building. Referrals to off-campus specialty care are also available. Most services at SHS are fully covered by UC SHIP without any cost to the student.

All registered students are eligible to receive care at SHS, including those not covered by UC SHIP. See Cost of Services for more information. Know Which Insurance You Have – and How to Use It!

Appointments
Appointments at SHS can be scheduled by calling 858-534-3300 during regular hours (press 1 to speak with a scheduler) and many appointments are also available to self-schedule online in MyStudentChart.

Laboratory services
Self-directed testing puts the power in your student's hands and let's them stay proactive about their health. Student Health Services (SHS) offers a broad range of patient testing options that do not require an appointment with a provider. Most tests are covered for students with UC SHIP or RAFT. For more information, check out the SHS Laboratory website.

Nurse advice line
Student Health Services (SHS) has a free, 24-hour nurse advice line available to all UC San Diego students.

Students who are sick or injured can call 858-534-3300 and choose the option for nurse advice to speak live with a registered nurse who will provide medical guidance. The nurse triage and advice line is available 24/7 and is open to all registered students at no charge, regardless of insurance coverage. The nurses can help students determine whether urgent or emergency care is indicated, provide self-care instructions and schedule appointments with SHS providers. Save the number – call 858-534-3300 for nurse advice! 

Get involved: Triton Family Ambassadors 

As parents and family members, you play an important role in your student's educational journey, and we encourage you to take an active part in our Triton community. Consider joining our Triton Family Ambassadors to support campus events, foster connections among families and represent UC San Diego to both current and prospective parents.

Every family member has experience and insights that help enrich our community. Become a Triton Family Ambassador and help create the connections that make our Triton family thrive.

So Far, So Fast, So Grateful

In just a few decades, UC San Diego has grown from a young campus into one of the world’s leading public universities. State funding provides an important foundation, but so much of what makes the Triton experience exceptional — from innovative programs to hands-on learning and student support — is made possible by individual donors, including parents and families.

If your family is interested in supporting the experiences and opportunities that make a difference for students, we invite you to consider a gift to the Parents Fund or to an area of campus that reflects your student’s interests. Email Marla Libraty at mlibraty@ucsd.edu for more information about giving or family philanthropy at UC San Diego.

The UC San Diego Parents Council wishes you and your family a wonderful holiday season.