Move In
Moving Into Your Residence Hall
The residence hall move-in process can differ for each term. As move-in day approaches, more details will be available here so you know what you need to do during arrivals.
What You Need to Know for Moving In
Move-In Basics
Staff from all over the University work hard during move-in to welcome our Blue Hens to campus and make the process as smooth as possible!
Move-In Dates
Standard Arrival
Each semester has a dedicated date for students to move in to the residence halls. Fall semester move-in typically occurs the weekend before classes start with first-year students arriving on Saturday and upper-division students arriving on Sunday. Spring semester move-in typically occurs the Sunday before classes start for all students.
Early Arrival
For fall and spring semesters, an early move-in date will be available for an additional fee. Students wishing to move in early must complete an application in the My Housing portal. The application typically opens about one month prior to move-in.
Prepare to Move In
Move-in dates will be confirmed and details for preparation, parking, unloading, check-in and more will be added to this page as those dates get close.
What is In Your Room and What to Bring
Review the lists below of items provided in your room, items to bring with you, as well as prohibited items that you should not to bring to your residence hall room.
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
Each room also comes with:
- 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.
Third Party Moving and Storage Options
If you want assistance moving your belongings to campus or storing them at the end of the year, consider using Dorm Room Movers. We’ve partnered with this third-party company who helps students and families store and deliver belongings to avoid the usual move-in scramble.
As we approach the start and end of the year, find more details here about pricing and signing up.
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. (1 per room)
- Laptop/computer and charger
- Surge protector
- Desk lamp
- Headphones with mic
- Smart TV (no cable)
- Fan (specifically 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
Bed lofts are not permitted, whether they're purchased or self-made. Students are permitted to utilize products frequently referred to as bed risers or furniture lifts which fit under the feet of the bed. These are only permitted under an individual bed, not under bunked beds. Most of these products are under eight inches tall, which provide the extra space desired for storage. When using bed risers, the top of the mattress height from the ground cannot exceed five feet.
Microfridge Rentals
One small refrigerator (4.5 cubic feet or less) and one microwave (700 watts max) per bedroom is permitted. If bringing a combined unit, one microfridge fitting the same specifications 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 minifridge and microwave.
Alternatively, many families enjoy the convenience of renting a combined microfridge unit. Campus Specialties Inc. provides microfridge rentals for all residence halls. Orders placed by their designated deadline will be delivered to your room prior to your arrival on campus. Units ordered after that date may incur a late fee or delayed delivery. If both you and your roommate place an order, you can cancel one of the orders and receive a full refund, if canceled before the unit is delivered.
More details about renting a microfridge will become available prior to move-in.