Westmont Parent FAQ
Parent Relations and Housing both work out of Kerrwood Hall, so one building answers many first semester questions. Here is who handles what at Westmont, with numbers taken from each office's own page.
About this group
Is this the official Westmont College parent group?
No. Far From Home is an independent parent community supported by College Cubbies. For official information, visit the Westmont College parent and family page.
Dates and breaks
When is Westmont's New Warrior Family Weekend in 2026?
Friday, Oct 30 to Sunday, Nov 1, 2026, for families of first year and transfer students. There is no registration fee, but Parent Relations asks you to register in advance, especially for the Saturday brunch.
When is Westmont commencement 2027?
Saturday, May 8, 2027, according to the registrar. The 2026 ceremony ran 9 a.m. to noon on Thorrington Field; check the commencement page for the 2027 time and place.
When should my student fly home for winter break?
Fall finals end Friday, Dec 18, and residence halls close at noon on Saturday, Dec 19. Students in the halls over Christmas Break without official approval are charged a minimum of $100, so plan to fly out by Dec 19.
When do the residence halls reopen in January?
On Saturday, Jan 9, 2027, two days before spring classes begin on Monday, Jan 11. Westmont's academic calendar says the halls open at noon, while the Residence Life Policies page says 11 a.m., so plan on noon.
When is Westmont spring break 2027?
Monday, Mar 15 to Friday, Mar 19, 2027. There is also an Easter Break from Friday, Mar 26 to Monday, Mar 29.
Does Westmont have a fall break?
Yes. The Fall Holiday is Monday and Tuesday, Oct 12 and 13, 2026, and the Thanksgiving Holiday runs Wednesday, Nov 25 to Friday, Nov 27.
Travel and where to stay
What is the closest airport to Westmont College?
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), which Westmont says is about 25 minutes from campus. LAX is about 90 minutes without traffic.
How does my student get from LAX to Westmont?
Westmont does not provide transportation to or from LAX. The Santa Barbara Airbus runs scheduled shuttles between LAX and Santa Barbara, picking up at the orange SHARED RIDES signs; book online or at (805) 964-7759.
Does Westmont run an airport shuttle at breaks?
Yes. Westmont runs a free shuttle to Santa Barbara Airport for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break holidays and at the end of the school year. Schedules are sent to students in an all student announcement.
Where can parents park when visiting Westmont?
Per Westmont's vehicle regulations, visitors get a written notice on the windshield that serves as a temporary parking pass. Temporary passes are issued by traffic enforcement officers and are also available from the Housing Office. Students are not allowed to park on the public streets around campus.
Which hotels offer a Westmont discount?
Westmont's hotel list includes the Montecito Inn ($20 off), Hotel Santa Barbara (20% off Sunday to Thursday) and Casa Del Mar Inn (20% off Sunday to Thursday), among others. Discounts vary by season, so confirm the rate for your dates.
Move in and move out
Can first year students have a car at Westmont?
No. Westmont does not issue parking permits to first year students under its Conditional Use Permit with Santa Barbara County, except for a verified disability approved through the college.
What size sheets do Westmont dorm beds need?
Twin XL. Westmont says all on campus mattresses are extra long twins, 80 by 36 inches.
Does Westmont offer summer storage?
No. Residence Life Policies state that Westmont does not provide storage for students, so families ship items home, rent self storage, or make other arrangements.
Health, safety and local life
What is my student's mailing address at Westmont?
Student Name, 955 La Paz Rd., Dorm and Room Number, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Westmont asks that you leave "Westmont College" out of the address.
Where does a sick Westmont student go after hours?
The Health Center lists Cottage Urgent Care at 1298 Coast Village Road (daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Sansum Clinic Urgent Care at 215 Pesetas Lane. For emergencies, the Cottage Hospital Emergency Department at 400 W. Pueblo Street, with its emergency entrance at Castillo and W. Junipero streets, is open 24 hours.
What happens at Westmont during a wildfire?
Westmont's plan is to shelter in place in the Murchison Gymnasium complex, where 800 people sheltered safely during the 2008 Tea Fire. The college asks parents not to urge students to drive away.
Who to call at Westmont
These contacts come from each office's own page, with the main switchboard at (805) 565-6000 as a backstop.
Parent Relations
(805) 565-6056, parents@westmont.edu, Kerrwood Hall Room 206. Your starting point for New Warrior Family Weekend, the spring Parent & Family Weekend, Parent Orientation and the Parents Council.
Housing Office
(805) 565-6036, housing@westmont.edu, Kerrwood Hall Room 212, upstairs. Room assignments, check in and check out, break housing requests and Ocean View apartments. Appointments are not required, but Housing says they help make sure someone is there.
Residence Life after hours
The on call Resident Director, (805) 565-6273, is available around the clock during the academic year for urgent student situations.
Student Financial Services
(805) 565-6063, sfs@westmont.edu. Financial aid and student account questions.
Office of the Registrar
(805) 565-6060, registrar@westmont.edu. Enrollment, transcripts and the official academic calendar.
Health Center
(805) 565-6164, shs@westmont.edu. Appointments, immunizations, lab draws and referrals, weekdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. when classes are in session.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
(805) 565-6003, caps@westmont.edu. Counseling for students and consultation for parents who are worried about a student.
Campus Safety
(805) 565-6222. Emergencies after you call 911, safety escorts, and campus vehicle rules.
Student Life Division
(805) 565-6028, stulife@westmont.edu. A reasonable call when a concern spans several offices.
Accessibility Resources Office
(805) 565-6186, aro@westmont.edu. Disability accommodations. The parking FAQ notes that the only exception to the first year parking rule is a verified disability approved through disability services.
Mail Center
(805) 565-6087, mailcenter@westmont.edu. Package questions and outgoing shipping.
Emergency information
Westmont's emergency hotline is 888-565-7911, and updates post at westmont.edu/emergency.
A note on numbers: Westmont's general contact directory lists Housing at 6037 and CAPS at 6164, while the Housing and CAPS pages themselves list 6036 and 6003. We use the numbers on each office's own page; if one does not answer, try the other.
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