When ... and How ... Do I Move In?

Welcome to residential living at The University of Akron! We are excited about your arrival!

With move-in day just around the corner and many changes at the University, we wanted to provide you with detailed information to make your move-in as easy as possible. As you prepare for your arrival, we recommend packing "light" ~ most students acquire quite a bit of "stuff" during the year and often bring more than they need. We believe that "less is more" until you are able to determine what you truly need in your new home.

FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS will be checking into the residence halls on Friday, August 21 starting at 8:00 a.m. and finishing by 3:00 p.m. to participate in Residence Hall Welcome Weekend activities. Each building has unique move-in directions. Please refer to check-in information specific to your building (see links below).

RETURNING STUDENTS will be checking in on Saturday, August 22 at your designated check-in time.

EXCHANGE STREET RESIDENTS will be moving in on Thursday, August 20 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

WAIT! Don't unload yet!

We know you're excited about moving into the residence halls, but please wait to unload your vehicle until you have picked up your check-in materials. Your first step, before unloading your vehicle(s), is to go to the appropriate check-in location for your hall. There will be many people around to assist you at your move-in ~ just look for the special shirts and the "Ask Me!" badges.

Once at your check-in location, staff will ask for your Zip Card ID to verify your room assignment. You will be given your room key and paperwork to complete, including a Room Condition Checklist (RCC). You will then be directed to your room. Upon review and completion of the RCC, you will be given a packet of information, including your telephone number, mailbox combination and Residence Hall Handbook.

Now it is time to unload!

Approximately 3,000 students live on campus, so we ask that you help each other in following the guidelines below for parking and unloading:

Please click on the link below for move-in information relating to your specific residence hall:

North Quad - Bulger Hall - Honors Complex - Orr Hall - Ritchie Hall - Sisler-McFawn Hall - Spanton Hall

South Quad - Exchange Street Hall - Gallucci Hall - Grant Residence Center - Townhouses - Garson Hall

Quaker Square - Quaker Square Residence Hall

The Roommate
Staying in touch

The first thing you need to prepare is your attitude. If you grasp the basic concepts behind residence hall living, the transition will be easier. It's a bit like independent living with a safety net. New liberties, but also new rules. More freedom, more responsibility. On Move-In Day you'll receive a handbook that details residence hall do's and don'ts. For now, here are some topics that help illustrate the general ideas.

The Room: Think of it as a Blank Canvas
Everyone has different tastes, so we provide a basic environment and you take it from there. Each room is supplied with the following:

beds
wardrobes/hanging spaces
dressers
wastebaskets
desks
chairs
one cable TV outlet per room
one computer outlet per room

You can hang posters and other objects d'art on the walls -- as long as you don't make any holes or peel off the paint with tape or other sticky stuff.

Your Room's Primary Feature: A Roommate
You will share a limited living space with someone who may be an old friend or total stranger while each of you adjusts to the challenges of new academic programs, a new environment, and separation from old friends and family.

This is a good time to refine your communication and negotiation skills. We'll help you get started by providing a Roommate Lifestyle Agreement to initiate communication about lifestyles and behaviors. The agreement contains guidelines ranging from guest visitation and room cleaning to study times and noise levels.

Try to be realistic about this new relationship. Start with the goal of simply getting along. Show some consideration, such as bringing a small desk lame if you plan on studying during the wee hours, or a set of headphones that can be used for the TV as well as your stereo. From such small steps, great friendships can -- and do -- grow. Another way to get off to a good start is to contact your roommate in advance of moving day. If your roommate(s) agreed to release personal information, you were provided this information in your assignment mailing.

Building the Right Environment
Residence halls are social environments, but their first priority is to serve as academic and study environments. The rules we establish are there to help ensure your safety and success as a student. For example, a reasonably quiet environment is expected from 8pm-8am Sunday through Thursday, and midnight-8am on Friday and Saturday. Musical instruments cannot be practiced in the rooms, but practice facilities are available on campus. Another example is our smoke-free policy. All residence halls prohibit the burning of any substance that puts smoke into the halls' private or public spaces. That includes incense, candles and tobacco products. In addition, you are responsible for your guests. Make sure they know and observe residence hall rules and University policies.