Move In and Out
Moving In and Out
The residence halls move-in and move-out processes can differ at the beginning and end of each term. As move-in day approaches, more details will be available here so you know what you need to do during arrivals and checkouts.
What You Need to Know
What is In Your Room and What to Bring
Here is what to expect, what to bring, and what not to bring to your room in a UD residence hall.
What You Will Find in Your Room
Each student is provided with:
- XL twin bed and mattress (full-sized in University Courtyard Apartments)
- Desk
- Desk chair
- Wardrobe, closet or set of drawers
- Waste basket
- Recycling bin
- Shower curtain liner (suite-style and apartments only)
- Ethernet access to the internet and secure wi-fi (no cable television)
In suite-style rooms and apartments, residents are responsible for cleaning and supplying their bathrooms. In traditional rooms, hall bathrooms are stocked with toilet paper and cleaned regularly by custodial services.
For virtual room tours and more building details:
Triples
There are several room types on the campus that house three students and are considered triples.
These are rooms that always house three students in the room or on each side of the suite. The room is designed to have all the furniture placed on the floor.
The “FY” notation means that these are triples in the newest first-year residence halls. These buildings have larger student room square footage to increase occupancy in a room depending on need. These buildings also have additional spaces in mind for the increased occupancy in the building including floor lounges and large common spaces (kitchens, laundry, etc.). These rooms are only located in buildings with air conditioning.
It should be expected that two of the three beds will be bunked in these rooms, meaning less under-bed storage is available. After arriving to campus, students interested in unbunking beds can submit a FixIt request to UD Facilities, however, all university-issued furniture must fit in the room and cannot be removed.
What to Bring
We put together a list of items students should consider bringing to campus. Connect with roommate(s) to discuss a plan for items that can potentially be shared.
- Bedding
- Twin XL for traditional and suite-style rooms
- Full-size for University Courtyard Apartments - Pillows
- Towels (bath, hand, washcloth, etc.)
- Clothing and shoes for rain and possible snow
- Clothes hangers
- Toiletries (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
- Bathmat (suites and apartments)
- Toilet Paper (suites and apartments)
- Laundry supplies (basket, detergent, etc.)
- Personal and OTC medications
- Bathroom cleaning supplies (suites and apartments)
- Kitchen cleaning supplies (basics for traditional and suite rooms, more for apartments)
- Vacuum
- Disinfectant surface wipes
- Paper towels or reusable cleaning towels
- Microwave no greater than 700 watts (1 per room)
- Refrigerator no larger than 4.5 cubic feet (1 per room)
- Or rent a combined unit from MyMicroFridge with Campus Specialties, Inc.
- Laptop/computer and charger
- Surge protector
- Desk lamp
- Headphones with mic
- Smart TV (no cable)
- Fan (for non-air-conditioned spaces)
- Decorative items
- Food and snacks
- Bicycle and bike lock
For added safety, register your bicycle with Parking Services. - Umbrella and rain boots
- Shower caddy and shoes
- Kitchen items, depending on room type
- Microwave-safe dishes, mugs, utensils
- Small tool kit
- First aid kit
- Reusable water bottle or bottled water
What to Leave at Home
Microfridge Rentals
One small refrigerator (4.5 cubic feet or less) and one microwave (700 watts max) per bedroom is permitted. If living with a roommate(s), plan with them before purchasing or renting.
Students are welcome to purchase and bring their own minifridges and microwaves.
Alternatively, many families enjoy the convenience of renting a combined microfridge unit. Campus Specialties Inc. provides microfridge rentals (or call 800-525-7307) for all residence halls. All orders placed by August 1 will be delivered to your room prior to your arrival on campus. Students who do not know their specific assignment by August 1 can still order; just be sure to update your order with your room assignment once you receive it so that it arrives at the correct location before you come to campus.
Moving In
Staff from all over the University work hard during move-in days to welcome our Blue Hens to campus and make the process as smooth as possible!
Later in the summer, we will provide you with detailed instructions for what to expect upon your arrival to campus.
Check back here in early August for information about check-in, parking, unloading, etc.
First-Year Student Move-In
First-year students will receive a specific move-in appointment to arrive on campus, pick up their room key and move into their room on new student move-in day in August.
Appointments will be staggered throughout the day to help ease traffic and congestion in the area and in the buildings. We expect to send out assigned move-in appointments via email by mid-July. Students can't request a specific time to move in, but can change their appointment time during by selecting from other available times in the housing portal. Instructions will be included when they receive their move-in appointment email.
Upper Division and
Transfer Student Move-In
Upper-division students (rising sophomores, juniors and seniors) and incoming transfer students will move into their rooms on a separate day from first-year students.
There are no assigned check-in time windows that day for returning students, but students must plan to arrive to pick up their room key/fob during the timeframe posted here.
Early Check-In
Any student will be able to request an early check-in to their residence hall for a fee. The fee for early check-in is $50/night for each eligible night prior to a student’s standard arrival date.
Students affiliated with a university-sponsored group may be eligible for a discounted rate and should contact their group's coordinator for information about fee payment. Blue Hen Helpers will have their fee waived entirely pending confirmation of participation after move-in.
First-year students should keep in mind that Blue Hen Helper assistance will not be available during early check-in. Dining halls will not open until the standard move-in day, and will have limited hours.
To request an early check-in, please complete the Early Arrival application in the Breaks & Early/Late Stays section of the My Housing portal.
Moving Out
All residents (including those in apartments) are asked to move out of their rooms within 24 hours of their last final exam, and must vacate no later than 10 p.m. the day following final exams.
Students with certain circumstances, like graduating seniors or those with late final exams, can request a late stay.
Students may have guests enter the building to help move out their belongings. Please stay with your guests at all times, as the doors to the building will be locked.
Additional spring semester move-out updates and details will be added here as the end of the semester approaches.
Traditional and Suite-Style Residence Halls
Students needing to check out at any time outside of the posted standard checkout hours must schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance with their floor's RA.
Remove all of your belongings from bedroom, bathroom, and shared spaces.
Email any items which need to be repaired to fixit@udel.edu.
Remove and dispose of garbage, recycling, and unwanted items.
Lock the windows and shut the blinds (where applicable).
Unplug, defrost, and clean out rented microfridge (where applicable).
Double check all drawers, closets, nooks, and crannies for belongings.
Turn off the lights and lock the door.
Check your mailbox and retrieve packages before leaving.
Meet with a staff member during posted hours or an appointment to check out of your residence hall and return your room key and any other resources or access items (must check out with staff member even if key is lost).
University Courtyard Apartments
UCA residents must have their apartments inspected upon their check out at the end of the semester. Students needing to check out any time outside of the posted standard checkout hours must schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance with their Apartment Assistant (AA). Reach out to your in-hall staff ahead of time with any questions so that you can plan accordingly.
Remove all of your belongings from bedroom, bathroom, and shared spaces.
Email any items which need to be repaired to fixit@udel.edu.
Close and lock all windows and exterior doors. Set thermostat on cool to 78°.
Remove all unwanted items, including perishables, trash, and items on walls, doors, and ceilings.
Ensure all university-provided furniture is in your room and shared apartment spaces.
Check your mailbox and retrieve packages before leaving.
Complete the checkout process with your AA during your scheduled checkout appointment or check out in the clubhouse during posted hours. Return your room fob, mail key, and any other resources at that time (must check out with staff member even if key is lost).
Belongings
We do not offer storage for belongings. Students must remove all belongings from their rooms upon checkout. Pursue local, off-campus storage options, if needed.
Belongings You No Longer Want
Dumpsters will be placed around campus for residence hall move-out. The UDon’t Need It program also will be available for move-out. For more information, check out the UDon’t Need It website.
Failure to remove all of your belongings or not leave your room clean may result in being billed an excessive housekeeping charge. Belongings left behind after checkout will be discarded. Damage to the room or its contents may also result in being charged additional fees.
Parking
Please note that parking regulations are in effect. Please do not leave cars parked in fire lanes and be sure that you have the proper permit for any space you park your car. Learn more about the proper loading and unloading of vehicles prior to your departure.
Gates near the walking paths at South Academy, Gilbert, Redding, Caesar Rodney, James Smith, Thomas McKean, and Independence Halls will be open to assist with loading on designated move-out days.
Room Key/Fob and Mailbox Key (UCA)
Students that may have lost their room key, fob, or mailbox key during the year still need to properly check out with a staff member upon their departure from the halls to avoid an improper checkout fee. Your student financial account will be billed replacement fees for those items at the end of the semester.
Microfridge Rental
If you rented a microfridge, please unplug, defrost, and clean out the unit before checking out. You may leave the unit in your room; it will be picked up after buildings have closed. Failure to clean out your microfridge may result in an excessive housekeeping charge.
Students with eligible circumstances can request a late stay by completing the Late Stay application in the Breaks and Early/Late Stays section of the My Housing portal. Fees may apply depending on the circumstances.
Eligible circumstances:
- Late final exam: Vacate by 10 a.m. the day after residence halls close
- Graduating or participating in commencement: Vacate by commencement day at 6 p.m. (no fee); participation will be verified
- Other special circumstances approved in advance by the Residence Hall/Apartment Coordinator - Vacate by commencement day at 6 p.m. ($50 per night)
Also applied and was approved for Interim and First Summer Session housing. Move date and time will be communicated to students when scheduled (no late stay fee, will pay interim housing fee).
Failure to follow proper checkout procedures may result in a $150 improper checkout fee. Additional fees will be applied if a key/fob or resource is not turned in; we cannot accept these items via mail.
Improper checkout examples include, but are not limited to, leaving:
Your key/fob in the self-service checkout box without seeing a staff member.
Your key/fob in your room, under your RA/AA's door or having anyone else check out for you.
Without doing anything.
Later than the posted checkout time without prior approval.
Outside of scheduled check-out times without an appointment.
Blue Hen Helpers are volunteers who help new first-year students and families move their belongings into their residence hall rooms during New Student Move-In Day. All students are eligible to be Blue Hen Helpers!
Students who serve as Blue Hen Helpers and check in to the residence halls early will get their standard early check-in fee waived entirely! Sign-ups begin this summer through the My Housing Portal.