RCCD Students Welcomed with Essentials at UCR Move-In Day

The start of the fall semester brought a historic milestone as nearly 250 Riverside Community College District (RCCD) students moved into UC Riverside’s newly opened North District 2 residential community. To make the transition smoother, RCC’s Basic Needs team partnered with RCCD Basic Needs and assembled and delivered 65 Welcome Baskets, one for each apartment unit, ensuring that every student had access to essentials from the very first day.

Each basket included items to support daily living and foster a healthy home environment, such as a reusable dishware set, utensils, can opener, laundry detergent pods, sponges, towels, hand soap, and cleaning supplies. The baskets were designed with student success in mind—helping reduce barriers to food preparation and promoting hygiene, especially for students who may experience food insecurity.

“These baskets were a way of saying: you belong here, and we want you to feel at home,” said Desiree Rivera, Program Manager, Basic Needs, “From cooking meals with roommates to keeping their space clean and welcoming, these simple items support both independence and community.”

During Move-In Day on Saturday, Aug. 23, RCCD students and their families lined up to receive keys, carts, and warm greetings from RCCD and UCR staff. The Riverside Tiger mascot was on hand to celebrate, and both institutions provided refreshments and giveaways to set a positive tone for the year ahead. Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) also joined the event to connect students with resources including CalFresh and Medi-Cal.

North District 2, completed in July after 22 months of construction, spans 415,000 square feet with two apartment-style buildings offering 1,568 beds. In a first-of-its-kind partnership, 652 beds have been reserved at below-market rates for RCCD students, allowing them to live side by side with UCR peers while accessing shared amenities such as a gym, courtyards, study lounges, and a central park trail.

For many students, the opportunity represents more than just housing—it marks a new chapter in their college journey. “It’s a great opportunity for community college students to feel like a part of university life,” said first-year RCC student.

Third-year RCC student expressed relief that the commute from Hemet was finally behind him. “It’s going to be a lot better than waking up two hours before class,” he said.

As RCCD students prepare for the fall semester beginning Aug. 25, the baskets, resources, and sense of community surrounding Move-In Day set the tone for a year of growth, opportunity, and success.

North District 2 will officially celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony later this semester.