Moving in & out
Fall 2021 Move-in
Move-in marks the beginning of your journey on UD's campus, and we’re so excited to have you back.
On move-in day, staff, students and volunteers will be available to welcome you and answer questions. Read our FAQs below for developing details about the logistics, how to prepare, and what we're doing to keep everyone healthy and safe.
We are so happy to have you on campus!
First year students will receive their move-in appointment in the second week of July. Appointments will occur between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the first year move-in days, Thursday, August 26 and Friday, August 27.
After receiving your move-in appointment, you will have a brief window to reschedule for another time during your assigned move-in day.
Upper division students (rising sophomores, juniors and seniors) will receive their move-in appointments in the second week of July.
Upper division move-in is on Saturday, August 28. Appointments will occur between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
After receiving your move-in appointment, you will have a brief window to reschedule.
Don't forget to bring these on Move-in Day:
- Face coverings for each person (to be worn in all common areas outside of your assigned room)
What to Expect:
- Arrive 15 minutes before or after your assigned timeslot. Report to your assigned central check-in location.
- Check-in staff will be there to welcome you.
- Specific details of the check-in process for picking up your key, ID card and any other applicable building acccess items are still in development, but you can be confident we will update you here and via email with all the details you need to know!
- Proceed to the drop-and-go lane of your assigned building and unload your vehicle. Someone must stay with the vehicle at all times.
- Once you are finished unloading, park your vehicle in a designated parking spot. We recommend someone stays with your belongings while moving the car.
- Students and live-in staff will be available at your assigned buildings to welcome you and answer any questions.
- Bring items to your room assignment and unpack your room!
- To maintain low-occupancy and physical distancing in the halls during Move-in, we ask that Move-in helpers leave the building once the two-hour Move-in timeslot is complete.
Students are welcomed to purchase and install their own minifridges (less than 4.5 cubic feet) and microwaves (700 watts max).
Many families enjoy the convenience of a rented microfridge. Campus Specialties Inc. provides MicroFridge rentals for all residence halls. All orders placed by August 1 will be delivered to your room prior to your arrival on campus. This short video will tell you everything you need to know about renting a MicroFridge on your campus.
Personal items:
- Twin XL bedding (for suite-style residence halls) or Full-size bedding (apartments), and pillows
- Towels/washcloths
- Clothing & shoes for rain, shine and possible snow!
- Coat hangers
- Shampoo, Soap, deodorant
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Bathmat
- Toilet Paper
- Laundry supplies (basket, detergent, etc)
- Personal and OTC medications
Cleaning Supplies:
- Bathroom cleaning supplies if living in a suite or apartment ( Students in these spaces are responsible for cleaning their own bathrooms)
- Kitchen cleaning supplies (if in an apartment)
- Vacuums are available to sign out at RA offices, but uyou may also bring your own
- Disinfectant Surface Wipes
Appliances:
- Microwave no larger than 700 watts
- Refrigerator no larger than 4.5 cubic ft
- Or rent from mymicrofridge.com
Electronics:
- Laptop/Computer, charger
- Printer
- Surge Protector
- Desk Lamp
- Headphones with Mic
COVID-19 Precautions:
- 7-14 reusable face coverings (CDC recommends you wash after every use) or 3.5 months supply of disposable masks
- Hand Sanitizer
- Thermometer
Consider:
- A few decorative Items
- Foods & snacks
- Bike/bike lock
- Kitchen items, depending on room type
Prohibited Appliances:
Preventing fire and electrical hazards is a very important shared responsibility of each community member necessary to maintain a safe environment.
Residents must not use or possess the appliances/items listed below.
Appliances containing exposed heating elements
Space heaters
Immersion coils for cups and mugs
Hot plates
Electric frying pans
Toasters & Toaster Ovens (only exceptions are University Courtyard Apartments)
Griddles
Dishwashers (except those installed by the university)
Indoor/outdoor grills of any kind including electric, gas or coal
Microwaves that exceed 700 watts
Large refrigerators (capacity greater than 4.5 cubic feet) and more than one refrigerator per room are not permitted
Halogen lamps
Extension cords without internal circuit breaker
Portable or free standing air conditioning or dehumidifier units
3D Printers (3D printers may only be used in academic spaces)
Additional prohibited items:
- candles, electric candle warmers, incense and electric candle warmers.
- The University of Delaware is a Tobacco-Free campus. The use of all tobacco products, tobacco related products, and smoking, including E-cigarettes and vaporizors, is prohibited on University property including residence hall rooms, apartments, University grounds and public areas. Read the full policy here.
Each room has a bed (XL twin for most of campus, full-sized in Apartment-style), a desk, a desk-chair, a small nightstand with 3 drawers, a wardrobe or closet/set of drawers, a waste basket and a recycling bin. The windows have built-in adjustable coverings (either blinds, roll-up shades, or curtains).
In suite-style apartments, residents are responsible for cleaning and supplying their bathrooms, though the shower is equipped with a plastic liner.
In traditional-style rooms, the hall bathrooms are stocked with toilet paper and cleaned regularly by custodial services.
All rooms have ethernet access to the internet and secure wifi. As of 2021, the University of Delaware no longer supports cable television.
Traditional-style residence halls all have laundry facilities and access to a shared kitchen in the building.
Early check-in for Fall 2021 is available to all students for a fee on Wednesday, August 25 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. First year students will be billed $50. Returning and transfer students will be billed $150 based on original check-in dates.
Keep in mind that Blue Hen Helper assistance will not be available during early check-in, and dining plans will not be activated until August 26.
To request an early check-in, please complete the Early Arrival Fall 2021 application within the Breaks & Early/Late Stays section of the My Housing portal between mid-July and mid-August. You will then need to select a new move-in appointment for Wednesday, August 25 within the portal, which will be explained when you complete the application.
Students affiliated with a university sponsored group may be eligible for a discounted rate and should contact their coordinator for information about fee payment.
Returning students can get their fee waived entirely by serving two shifts as a Blue Hen Helper during new student move-in on Thursday and/or Friday. Sign up to be a Blue Hen Helper under Forms within the My Housing portal between mid-July and mid-August.
Campus Map
First Day of Classes is Tuesday August 31, 2021
Faculty and Staff Volunteers Needed for University Tradition
There’s no second chance to make a first impression, and on August 26 & 27, 2021 volunteer teams of University of Delaware faculty, staff, students and community members will help first-year students move into residence halls as a part of the Blue Hen Helpers (BHH) program. The BHH welcome new students and their families on move-in day, assist with moving luggage into residence hall rooms and most importantly, can relieve some of the stress families might feel on a hectic and emotional day.
“Blue Hen Helpers are such a breath of fresh air to new students and families arriving on campus," said DanielleMarenco, Business Manager in Residence Life and Housing. "Everyone is excited at the start of the year and some of our new students are very anxious as can be expected. Being welcomed with open arms by upper division students, faculty, staff and local volunteers can help ease them into the transition of moving onto campus.”
Said James Tweedy, director of Residence Life and Housing, "When the UD community gathers to welcome students and their families, it makes a lasting impact on everyone involved. As the academic year picks up, we can become immersed the day-to-day demands — but this is a great time to contribute to the larger picture: students embarking on a once in a lifetime experience, a rite of passage. Showing the students they are supported on their first day is an excellent metaphor for how we want them to feel all four years.”
This year, New student move-in day will run across two days, Thursday, August 26 and Friday, August 27. Helpers can volunteer for three-hour shifts between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Students Living On Campus
Upper division on-campus students can register to be a Blue Hen Helper and get their early check in fee waived if they serve two, three-hour shifts! Blue Hen Helpers are volunteers who help new students and families move their belongings into their residence hall rooms during New Student Move-In on August 26 and 27.
To register, complete the Blue Hen Helper 2021 form in the Forms section of the My Housing portal by Monday, August 16 at 5 p.m. After completing your registration, you must change your move-in appointment to a time on Wednesday, August 25 using the Fall 2021 Move-In portal process by the same deadline.
The University of Delaware Blue Hen Helper program is a volunteer-based program that welcomes and assists our new students and their families on freshman move in days. Upper-class students and members of the UD community assist our new families with unloading cars and moving items in as “Blue Hen Helpers”.
Blue Hen Leaders are UD Staff Members that are stationed at the Blue Hen Helper tents around campus to check our student volunteers in and out of their assigned shifts on Move-In Day. This is an important role because our upper division students can have their $150 early arrival fee waived if they sign in and out of two shifts. Blue Hen Leaders may also direct volunteers to specific buildings where they see helpers may be needed.
We will have Blue Hen Leaders stationed at 4 locations on campus: Perkins Patio, Gilbert Hall, South Academy and Independence Turf (Laird Campus). Please check out our sign up slots below to see what may best fit your schedule.
Please visit our Sign Up Genius to select your shift!
We are welcoming UD Staff to assist our students living on campus with fall check in at the Bob Carpenter Center. This will include greeting students upon arrival, checking them into their fall assignments, and issuing them their key and UDID Card (for new students). Training will be provided virtually prior to check in.
Please visit our Sign Up Genius to select your shift!
Blue Hen Helpers are volunteers who help new students and families move their luggage and other belongings into their residence hall rooms on New Student Check-in Day. This year New Student Check-in Day will be on Thursday and Friday, August 26 & 27, 2021.
If you are a community member or are unaffiliated with the University of Delaware but would like to participate, please sign up using this google form. .
Residence Life & Housing is part of the Division of Student Life, which contributes and facilitates critical learning and development within healthy, inclusive and supportive communities, so that all students may thrive at UD and beyond.