Residence Hall Move-in Guide

What you need to know about moving

This guide covers all the information you will need to make a smooth transition to campus life here at Indiana University Bloomington.

Pre-arrival To-do List

Renters Insurance

As noted in your housing contract, IU does not assume any financial responsibility for the personal property of students or large-scale unintentional damage that students cause to housing property. We strongly encourage residents to obtain renters insurance prior to moving on campus.

You may purchase renters insurance through any provider. IU has partnered with GradGuard to make their renters insurance plan available at preferred rates. Please visit the GradGuard website if you have any questions about coverage, exclusions, and pricing.

Get a quote

Shipping and Your Mailing Address

Students who wish to lighten their load on move-in day may ship items directly to their residence hall via the “Ship-to-School” program offered through Guys and Dollies.

Items shipped through USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, DHL, etc. will not be accepted before August 3 and must be addressed with the proper campus address.

Necessary Items

  • Bathrobe, shower shoes, towels, and washcloths
  • Charging cables and station
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Clothing hangers
  • Command hooks, tacky putty, or painter's tape (for hanging decorations)
  • Computer or laptop
  • Cups, cutlery, dishes, or mugs
  • Ethernet straight-through patch cord - Cat 5 or Cat 6 at these buildings
  • Extension cords and surge strips and protectors with LCDI technology
  • Extra-long twin bed linens, mattress cover, blankets, and pillows
  • Hair dryer
  • Laundry detergent, and basket or bag
  • Personal prescription medications
  • Personal toiletry items and a small, plastic bucket for carrying the items
  • Seasonal clothing
  • Small first-aid kit
  • Umbrella and rainwear

Optional Items

  • Bicycle with a U-lock
  • Coffee maker (i.e., Hamilton Beach, Keurig, Mr. Coffee)
  • Flashlight
  • Flexible lamp
  • Hanging closet shelves
  • Holiday lights
  • Microwave
  • Mini Refrigerator/microwave pulls less than six amps, 3.3 cubic feet or less
  • Multi-purpose furniture (i.e., futon, storage cubes)
  • Small sewing kit
  • Snack food and beverages
  • Sporting equipment
  • Streaming media player
  • Streaming TV (no larger than 46")

Prohibited Items

  • Air conditioners and windlowless air conditioners—unless approved by RPS for medical needs
  • Air fryers
  • Alcohol and alcohol containers of any kind
  • Antennas and satellite dishes
  • Bed risers
  • Combustible liquids—including pressurized butane canisters
  • Crockpots
  • Drones
  • Electric open-coil heaters or any appliances with exposed burners
  • Firearmsincluding BB guns, paintball guns, pellet guns, and slingshots
  • Fireworks
  • Full-size refrigerators and freezers
  • Grills of any type including charcoal, electric, and propane indoor grills
  • Halogen lights and lamps
  • Hot plates
  • Hoverboards
  • Immersion water heater coils for heating water
  • Incense and incense burners
  • Pets
  • Portable washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers
  • Power tools
  • Smoking devices (e.g., hookahs, pipes, electronic cigarettes, vapes)
  • Stoves and camping stoves
  • Sun lamps and tanning beds
  • Toaster ovens
  • Wallpaper

Set Up Your Room

Residence hall rooms come with:

  • Campus streaming services (cable TV connection at some locations)
  • Closet or wardrobe
  • Desk and chair (one per student)
  • Wi-Fi
  • Single bed and an extra-long twin mattress (one per student)
  • Wastebasket
  • Window coverings

Before doing anything to your room, please read Residence Hall Rules & Regulations or Apartment Rules & Regulations.

Beds cannot be repositioned without using BedLoft.

Information About Your Parking Permit

Beginning August 1, purchase your parking permit online through the IU Parking Portal. Only the permit types you are eligible to purchase will appear. 

If your name is on the waitlist for a Campus Housing permit, you will be notified at your IU email regarding the status of a permit offer, beginning in early August. If you do not receive an offer, please wait to purchase your ST permit until August 31, as additional offers may be made throughout the month. ST permits will not be required to be displayed until September 1.

Please enter your local or campus mailing address, including room and apartment number, to receive your ST or Evening permit.

CH permits will not be mailed but must be picked up at parking operations in the Henderson Garage, beginning August 17.

In your purchase confirmation email, you will receive a link to your temporary permit that you may use beginning August 17, until your permanent one arrives.

Please note that ST (student), Evening, and Fall semester permits must be purchased online.