Infamous housing crisis
A guest asks, "I've heard theres a housing crisis at UCSC, what does that mean?"
Example response "Thats a good question, the housing crisis at UCSC means that we do have a larger student population to the amount of housing that is available for every student. Although it may sound scary, first years and transfer students get 1 year guaranteed housing.
Its at Hahn Student Services (where we started)
Usually, Chaperones will handle the students, but if it gets really bad, you can ask the group pop questions, talking with the students along the way, and modify the tour so its more interactive.
A prospective student asks you what you would do on a weekend in order to meet friends. They have been feeling lonely and would love company.
Sample Answer: Clubs are the best way to meet friends with similar interests and morals. You can check out the many many clubs we have through the UCSC website, and by checking out cornucopia on week 0 if school fall quarter. Most clubs also have an Instagram as well.
A guest/parent asks for your Insta/number during the tour! How should you respond?
It is honestly up to you, but I would highly recommend not giving out your insta or your number to random people. Especially since a lot of parents think we could have influence on who gets admitted. You can blame it on the office "Unfortunately I cannot give out my insta/number due to tour guide policy"
A guest asks, "Is UCSC doing anything to build more housing?"
Example response, "Yes, UCSC is building a lot more housing, such as new apartments that have 400 units on Delaware ave, and 120 new units for family student housing + 140 spots for a day care :)
A prospective student tells you "I don't know if I can afford study abroad but I really want to go on it... is there anyway I can still study abroad?"
Sample answer: Yes! Financial aid usually carries over to study abroad excursions through UCEAP, so students who have financial aid can still study abroad, but you can also look through UCEAP to find scholarships to help with studying abroad as well."
A student that attends UCSC is following you on your tour and purposely being disruptive because they think its funny, how would you handle it?
The best thing to do is to make sure your guest are comfortable. You can either politely ask the student to leave when you get the chance, or slack visits and they can help you!
A prospective student asked you "yo bro, what about the greek life here? Whats the stitch with that?"
If you're in Greek life, talk about your experience! But please please please stay away from talking about any partying, and substance use. If you're not in greek life, you can tell them its off campus, and you can check them out through Instagram or SOAR.
You are planning to give a group tour and they are 30 minutes late!! What do you do?
Slack visits! Let them know of the situation and they will update you on what to do or if you should wait.
A parent asks you, "Hey I am afraid for my kid to live far away from home, Can I live with them in family student housing?"
A mother asks you while you're talking about housing, "How much does a single cost for students?"
Example response "I am sorry, we are not allowed to share how much a student will pay as it depends on many factors, but going to the financial aid office or checking out the UCSC website can provide a better answer for you."
Unfortunately, a guest is hateful towards you, or makes you extremely uncomfortable while you are giving a tour. What would you do?
Your safety is our priority, if you at all feel uncomfortable on a tour, you can end the tour AND slack visits to let them know.
A prospective students parent asks what the communal bathrooms are like in the dorm. Especially since UCSC has Co-ed bathrooms. They are uncomfortable with the idea that their kid could be sharing a bathroom with another gender. How would you handle that?
Sample answer: "Yes, that is true that we do have Co-ed bathrooms here at UCSC. But if you are uncomfortable by it (totally get it), you can request to be on a single gender floor. But mostly all students are kind and respectful inside the bathrooms and I have never had a problem with the bathrooms."
A prospective student asks you about a major you have no idea about. You might've heard about it but don't know details. How would you still talk to them about the major?
What if its about pre med or pre health
Sample Answer "Hey, I might not know specifics of that major, but what you can do is email the major advisors or check out the UCSC website on majors."
(if its pre-health) "Although we do not have a pre-health major here, we actually have pre-health advisors that will help you get into medical or dental school and advise you to take certain classes."
Example answer: "Although the housing lottery is very random, I have heard that many students create a group to get an apartment the following year, or go to places4students to find out housing off campus. I have also heard students waiting on the waitlist and usually can get housing."
(If its something related to disability, tell them about DRC and how they can provide accommodations)
A parent asks: "How much do you pay to attend UCSC?"
Rule of thumb: we do not talk about spending money here. It depends on the student and what they qualify them. Sample Answer: "I'm sorry, but I am unable to answer that, but if you are curious about the cost of attending UCSC, the website would have more answers for you!"
You have a group tour and one middle schooler decides to literally hit you (yes it has happened). What would you do?
You have full permission to end a tour early if you feel your safety can be compromised (whether that is emotional, mental or physical). Contact visits right away.
A prospective student asks you "Hey, I heard 420 is crazy here, and the weed culture. Wheres the best place to smoke?"
Sample Answer "Well there are many fun places to visit here in Santa Cruz, students love to go to the boardwalk, mystery spot, walk around in the forest around campus, downtown and the beach!" That kid will probably find their answer when they attend UCSC.
A student asks "whats your least favorite thing about UCSC?"
This is a hard one because we all have valid opinions about how we feel about the school. But we are representing the school as a tour guide. Being truthful is the best way to go, but then how did you make it better for yourself?
A good sample answer would be "Thats a good question, I really don't like how much it rains here, but what I did is I got a cute raincoat and I make sure to study in the library when it rains as its so cozy".
As you are walking on your tour, you hear a student scream "DON'T GO HERE HOUSING SUCKS", then you see your guests become visibly uncomfortable because no one wants to hear that housing is bad, How would you make their experience more comfortable, and how would you handle the student?
This one is super hard but is super common on tours... unfortunately. But best way to respond to it is by ignoring the disruptive student. But you need to acknowledge that there is difficulty with housing for a lot of students, and UCSC is fully aware and they are actively trying to increase housing. They are doing this by building more apartments for upperclassmen on Delaware ave, places4students, community rentals office, and more.
A parent tries to give you a tip, its $5. Do you take it? I mean you did give a 1hr 30 min+ tour?
Please do not take money or tips from strangers...
A UCSC student isn't just disruptive but points out all the flaws of UCSC, ex hard to choose classes and lack of support during strikes, bus crash. Now all the parents are concerned. How do you keep the tour going and the parents and students interested in UCSC?
* address the fact that it is real situation for a lot of students
(and heres what we can do about it)
* Explain resources and how they can help
* give personal anecdotes
* let parents know that they can talk to support networks and advise them where they can find them (in Hahn Student Center)
You are giving a tour and theres a strike going on... and its at the Quarry! Definitely people are going to be curious as to whats going on. How would you handle it?
Sample response: At UCSC, a lot of students utilize their first amendment rights, as we can see here. It is part of our campus culture.
(make sure to keep on walking or take a detour, and make sure to answer any questions they have about whats going on (if you know))
Whats the secret sauce to answering all difficult questions?
Fact+ redirect to something positive or how you turned it around.