Move in looks a bit different depending on what day you arrive and where you’re living. Let’s break it down:

Friday, Aug. 16: Sorority recruitment

Information about move in times and recruitment in general will come directly from the Office of Sorority and Fraternity engagement.

When you arrive to your building, here are the steps to follow:

  1. Park your car
  2. Go in to the building and find the hall desk (there will be signs). .
  3. Pick up your packet and keys
  4. Move in your items
  5. Move your vehicle – you have 90 minutes to unload and then your vehicle needs to be relocated to long-term parking. These lots are free, and you can leave vehicles overnight until Aug. 25. The long-term lots are:

Paid options are the Memorial Union Parking Ramp and the Ames Intermodal Facility. Parking meters are also available in Campustown.

Saturday, Aug. 17 – Monday, Aug. 19: Apartments Open & Early Moves to Halls

Apartments: Saturday, Aug. 17, all apartments are open for move-in through the first day of classes. You’ll arrive at the community center located in your apartment community. Pick up your keys, check-in packet, move in your items and you’re set!

Halls: You are considered an early arriving student and fees apply to move in from Aug. 17 – Aug. 19, unless you’re part of Move-In Crew or another early-arriving group.

When you arrive to your residence-hall building, here are the steps to follow:

  1. Park your car
  2. Go in to the building and find the hall desk (there will be signs).
  3. Pick up your packet and keys
  4. Move in your items
  5. Move your vehicle – you have 90 minutes to unload and then your vehicle needs to be relocated to long-term parking. These lots are free, and you can leave vehicles overnight until Aug. 25. The long-term lots are:

Paid options are the Memorial Union Parking Ramp and the Ames Intermodal Facility. Parking meters are also available in Campustown.

Tuesday, Aug. 20 & Wednesday, Aug. 21: New students Moving to the Residence Halls

These two days are when new students move into the residence halls. Move-In Crew may be available to help the process go smoothly during the day. We recommend even-numbered rooms move in on Tuesday, Aug. 20 and odd-numbered rooms move in on Wednesday, Aug. 21. However, if you need to come on a different day, you can and there is no need to notify us. You can move in at any time during the day, there’s no need to schedule an appointment. Staff will be available at the check-in locations from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. If you decide to move in outside of that timeframe, just call the RA on Duty (number will be posted at the check-in location). They will come down and get you checked in.

Here’s what to expect on move-in day:

  1. Follow the red signs to your building (don’t follow your GPS, routes are marked for efficiency of traffic flow)
  2. There, staff will greet you in the parking lot and give you a 30-minute parking pass to park close to the building and unload.
  3. Student – go in to your hall and get your check in packet (signs will direct you): helpers – stay with the belongings and start to unload. (Locations are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  4. Take all items to your room
  5. Move your vehicle to long-term parking. These lots are free, and you can leave vehicles overnight until Aug. 25. The long-term lots are:
  6. Paid options are the Memorial Union Parking Ramp and the Ames Intermodal Facility. Parking meters are also available in Campustown.
  7. Enjoy setting up your room and saying hi to your neighbors

Check In Locations: Aug. 20 and 21

  • Buchanan: Main Lounge
  • Geoffroy: G216 (main floor) by the mural
  • Barton, Lyon, Freeman and Birch, Welch, Roberts: Cornerstone Hall Desk
  • Oak-Elm: Elm Parlor
  • Linden: Main lounge next to the hall desk
  • Maple: Main Lounge
  • Willow: Ground floor breezeway
  • Larch: Ground floor breezeway
  • Friley: Room 2414 (main floor, entrance that faces west)
  • Helser: Rec Room
  • Martin: Room 2121 (main floor)
  • Eaton: Room 1132 (main floor)
  • Wallace and Wilson: The Wallace-Wilson Commons

Cardboard Recycling Bins

New this year, the Department of Residence is partnering with ISU Recycling Services and the Office of Sustainability to offer two dedicated cardboard recycling sites for move-in on August 20 and 21. A dedicated roll-off dumpster for cardboard will be placed alongside a waste roll-off in the horseshoe drive area in front of Maple Hall (Lot 89) and also in the Helser Hall parking area (between Helser and Martin Hall). The roll-offs will be labeled specifically for cardboard recycling and volunteers will be on hand to assist in directing “what to throw where.” Please break down and flatten all boxes and make sure each is clean (no Styrofoam, packing material or plastic bags left in box).

All other trash can go in the green dumpster located outside your hall. Remember to please keep boxes, totes, furniture, and trash out of the hallways and stairwells.

Thursday, Aug. 22 – Monday, Aug. 26: Returning Students Moving to the Residence Halls

Thursday is when returners to the halls begin moving in (if you want to come early, consider being part of Move-In Crew!).

When you arrive to your building, here are the steps to follow:

  1. Park your car
  2. Go in to the building and find the hall desk (there will be signs).
  3. Pick up your packet and keys
  4. Move in your items
  5. Move your vehicle – you have 90 minutes to unload and then your vehicle needs to be relocated to long-term parking. These lots are free, and you can leave vehicles overnight until Aug. 25. The long-term lots are:

Paid options are the Memorial Union Parking Ramp and the Ames Intermodal Facility. Parking meters are also available in Campustown.

After-Hours Arrivals

Though we do recommend doing your best to come during the day, we know that things happen and travel schedules can be unpredictable. If you arrive after hours, signs on your building will direct you to who to call so you can get your keys to move in.

Looking for Lunch?

Use your meal plan! ISU Dining has some of the most delicious food in town. Explore hours and menus here. After a day of unpacking, coffee and gelato definitely count as lunch. But, we have a whole lot of variety at our all-you-care to eat dining centers, making them the perfect lunch or dinner spot! Full salad bars, pizza, scratch-made desserts, international cuisine and so much more are available when you visit our dining centers. Plus, it’s a great way to show your helpers all the amazing food you’ll be eating this year!