Move In
Moving Into Your Residence Hall
The residence halls 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
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 for fall
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 email assigned move-in appointments by mid-July. Students can't request a specific time to move in, but can change their appointment time 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 times 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
An optional early check in opportunity will be available to any student during a specific date and timeframe designated by Residence Life & Housing. The fee for early check-in is $50 per 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.
Students can request an early check-in by completing the Early Arrival application in the Breaks and Early/Late Stays section of the My Housing portal once it's available in the summer.
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.