Preparing to Move in to the Residence Halls
After receiving your room assignment, you will want to contact your roommate and discuss what you’re planning to bring. Decide who will bring major items such as the TV, stereo, carpet, etc. Will one of you bring a small refrigerator or do you want to rent one? How about decorating your room?
Although all residence hall rooms are painted off-white, many rooms also feature a neutral accent color on one wall. You room will have desks with drawers, desk chairs, beds (with extra-long twin mattress), drapes or blinds, closets, a computer connection to Resnet, cable TV outlet and connector cable, smoke detector, and a wastebasket.
Don’t try to bring everything you own—you can always get it later. Not all halls have elevators, so it is better to pack a number of moderate-sized boxes that can be handled by one person rather than a few large ones. There is no space for storage in most halls.
Please note: some homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover residence hall belongings. Check your policy or consider purchasing renter’s insurance for coverage.
Items to Bring
- Lamps for desk (non-halogen bulbs only—consider purchasing compact fluorescent bulbs)
- Pillow, bed linens, blankets (36”x 80” for extra-long twin beds)
- Mattress pad
- Alarm clock
- Bike and lock, rollerblades, or other "green" transportation
- Key ring/lanyard for key and i-card
- Clothes hangers
- Bathrobe, shower shoes
- Small bucket for carrying toiletries
- Towels, washcloth, soap, shampoo
- Room decorations, pictures of family and friends
- Laundry basket/bag, detergent (no need for rolls of quarters—you can place money on your i-card for laundry)
- Coffee mug, drinking cups, dishes and cutlery for snacks
- Assorted plastic containers with tight lids for storing snacks, detergent, or other items
- Umbrella, rainwear
- Headphones so your music does not disturb others
- Two power strips with a 15-amp circuit breaker; it must be UL-approved with a heavy cord and three-prong grounding—use a power bar (extension cords are not permitted)
- Poster putty for hanging up decoration—no masking tape or scotch tape on wood or painted surfaces
- Winter clothing (unless you can get it later or have it sent)
- Emergency kit (flashlight, batteries, bottled water, cash, first aid kit, etc.See www.redcross.org.)
Items to leave at home
The following items are NOT permitted in the residence halls:
- Wireless hub (the default configuration of most wireless routers interferes with the Internet connectivity of rooms around you)
- Halogen lamps or halogen bulbs of any kind
- Hotplate, skillet, toaster, toaster oven, rice cooker, George Foreman Grill, or similar cooking or high-wattage appliances with exposed surfaces
- Air conditioner, electric or space heater
- Candles (regardless if used for lighting or decoration), kerosene heater, incense, scent pot burners, or other fire hazards
- Pets (except fish)
- Waterbed
- Nail picture hangers (no nails or thumbtacks in woodwork or walls)
- Constructions (such as “lofts” or “room dividers”) are not allowed in the residence halls, and standard room furnishings cannot
be moved out of your room or stored.
- Weapons, including air pellet, soft pellet, water, paintball, or BB guns; swords; knives; etc.
- Alcohol (even empty, decorative bottles)
- Oversized stereo speakers
- Your own mattress
- A car (parking is very limited)
Optional handy items
Here are some other optional handy items to consider bringing when you move in:
- Computer with Ethernet adapter and a 15-foot Ethernet cable to connect to campus network and Internet
- Laptop lock, if you’re planning to bring your laptop
- Small microwave, 800 watts or less (one per room)
- Small refrigerator—one per room, up to 3 cubic feet (Note: Sherman and Daniels Halls already come with microfridges) You can rent a microfridge to save hassle
- Throw rug or carpet samples (Note: Busey-Evans and Daniels are already carpeted) If you would like your carpet pre-installed, consider purchasing it ahead of time from University Housing's approved vendor
- Mirror with over-door hooks (FAR, ISR, and PAR only)
- Magnets for magnetic pegboard (FAR, ISR, and PAR only)
- Crates or stacking containers
- Seat cushion for desk chair
- Radio, TV, DVD player, stereo—your room has an outlet for free cable TV. There are also TVs in the central area of halls.
- School supplies, such as stapler, paper clips, pens, etc.
- Postage stamps
- A cart or dolly to expedite your move-in process
- Fan (box or window fans are recommended in non-air conditioned residence halls)
- Reading pillow for your bed
- Paper towels and basic cleaning supplies
- Sewing kit, scissors, safety pins
- Personal sports/recreation equipment
- Cell phone
- Bicycle with a good lock. Only bicycle wheels may be brought inside the residence halls for storage. Engrave your name or some identification on several parts of your bike and register it with the campus Parking Department. (Please note: motorized bicycles are not permitted in the halls.)