This guide covers all the information you will need to make a smooth transition to campus life here at Indiana University Bloomington.
What you need to know about moving
Renters Insurance
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. 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.
Furniture Layouts and Fridge/Microwave Combo Units
Save space in your residence hall room with furniture layouts and fridge/microwave combo units from Bedloft. Bedloft is an approved vendor of Indiana University. Furniture set-ups can only be done by purchasing the service through Bedloft. If you would like to place an order or if you have more questions, visit the Bedloft website.
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 7 and must be addressed with the proper campus address.
The Packing List
To protect the health and safety of everyone, we cannot permit some items in the buildings. These lists of necessary, optional and prohibited items will help you determine what you need to leave at home.
Please note that all electrical appliances must be:
- Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed
- Equipped with thermostatic controls, when appropriate
- Rated at 700 watts (6 amps), or less
More information about university safety policies and Indiana Codes is available from the Office of Insurance, Loss Control & Claims.
The university does not assume responsibility for any loss to person(s) or personal property. It is recommended that you maintain adequate public liability insurance coverage and renters insurance coverage for your personal property. IU recommends GradGuard as the preferred vendor.
Necessary Items
- Bathrobes, 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 IU Housing 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
- Firearms—including 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 the IU Housing Rules and Regulations.
Beds cannot be repositioned without using BedLoft.
Computing
Once you connect to IU's network, you will be able to use your personal PC, laptop, or