Moving in & out
The move-in and move-out process from the residence halls can differ at the beginning and end of each term. You can find more details on this page as it gets closer to each of those timeframes so that you know what you need to do during arrivals and checkouts.
Spring 2024 Move-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. on Wednesday, May 22. Students with certain circumstances like graduating seniors and those with late final exams can request a late stay (see FAQ below).
Moving out of traditional and suite-style residence halls
Students needing to check out through Friday, May 17 or at any other time outside of the posted standard checkout hours below must schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance with their floor's Resident Assistant (RA).
Beginning May 18, in-hall staff will be available to check students out in their building's designated checkout location at the following times:
- Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19: 12–9 p.m.
- Monday, May 20 & Tuesday, May 21: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 22: 9 a.m.–10 p.m. (Halls close at 10 p.m.)
- Thursday, May 23: 8–10 a.m. (Approved late stays)
Use the checklist below to complete move-out steps in a traditional or suite-style room.
Moving out of University Courtyard Apartments
Designated dates and times will be communicated by in-hall staff for UCA residents to have their apartment inspected and to check out with a staff member in the UCA clubhouse during the last week of final exams. Students needing to leave at a time outside of the posted standard checkout hours must make an appointment at least 24 hours in advance with a staff member. Reach out to your in-hall staff ahead of time with any questions so that you can plan accordingly.
Use the checklist below to complete move-out steps in a University Courtyard Apartment room.
See above details for information on checkout procedures for traditional and suite-style halls or the University Courtyard Apartments. Please reach out to your Resident Assistant or Residence Hall Coordinator/Hall Director if you have questions. Depending on when you plan to leave, you may need to make an appointment with a staff member in advance. The checkout process can take up to 30 minutes, so plan accordingly.
Students with eligible circumstances can request a late stay by completing the Late Stay Spring 2024 application in the My Housing portal under the “Breaks & Early/Late Stays” section of the portal. The application will be open from April 25 through May 21 at 5 p.m. Fees may apply depending on the circumstances.
Eligible circumstances:
- Late final exam - Vacate by Thursday, May 23 at 10 a.m. (no fee)
- Graduating or participating in commencement - Vacate by Saturday, May 25 at 6 p.m. (no fee) participation will be verified
- Other special circumstances approved in advance by the Residence Hal Coordinator/Hall Director - Vacate by Saturday, May 25 at 6 p.m. ($50 per night)
Also applied and was approved for Interim and First Summer Session housing - Move on Friday, May 24 from 2–5 p.m. (no late stay fee, will pay interim housing fee)
Students who fail to follow proper checkout procedures may be billed a $150 improper checkout fee. Additional fees will be applied if a key/fob or resource is not turned in, and we cannot accept these items via mail. Examples of an improper checkout include but are not limited to:
Leaving your key/fob in the self-service checkout box without seeing a staff member.
Leaving your key/fob in your room, under your RA's door or having any one else check out for you.
Leaving without doing anything.
Leaving later than the posted checkout time without prior approval.
Leaving outside of scheduled checkout times without an appointment.
Students who need to leave outside of the posted staff hours must make arrangements with their Resident Assistant at least 24 hours in advance of the date they need to leave. Do not call the duty phone as staff are on call for emergency purposes only. If you fail to make the appointment and choose to use our after-hours self-checkout process you will be billed the $150 improper checkout fee.
Students that may have lost one of the above items during spring semester still need to properly check out with a staff member upon their departure from the halls to avoid an improper checkout fee. Your student account will be billed replacement fees for those items at the end of the semester.
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.
We do not offer storage for belongings over the summer. Students must remove all belongings from their rooms upon checkout. Students should pursue local, off campus storage options if needed.
Dumpsters will be placed around campus for residence hall move-out.
The ‘UDon’t Need It?’ program also will be available from Tuesday, May 21 - Saturday, June 1 at UD’s Star Campus located at 540 S. College Avenue. The current schedule is:
Tuesday, May 21 - Friday, May 24: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 25: CLOSED
Sunday, May 26: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m
Monday, May 27: CLOSED
Tuesday, May 28 - Saturday, June 1: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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 checking out will be discarded. Damage to the room or its contents may also result in being charged additional fees.
Students may have guests enter the building to help move their belongings during closing. Please make sure that you are with your guests at all times as the doors to the building will be locked.
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 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (May 20, 21 and 22) from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Wheeled carts will be available in buildings with elevators to assist in transporting belongings.
Returning students living on campus will move in on Sunday, August 25. More information about Fall 2024 Move-In processes will become available on our website over the summer. Students will also receive emails from our office during the summer with details about move-in procedures.
Are you interested in moving into your room early for no additional fee? Sign up to be a Blue Hen Helper! Blue Hen Helpers are a longstanding tradition at UD—these volunteers help first-year students and their families move their belongings into the residence halls and welcome them to campus on Friday and Saturday, August 23 and 24. For more details and to register, visit the Forms section of the My Housing Portal now through Tuesday, August 13 at 5 p.m.