Hall Move-In
For new Bearcats and their families, moving into residence halls for the first time can be both exciting and busy. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone. Review this page to prepare for your new adventure.
Know Your Step 1 Destination
Yep, there's a lot of stuff on your Dash Pass! These coordinates will get you right where you need to be for Step 1.
- Calhoun Garage 39.129501, -84.514239
- Campus Green Garage 39.135553, -84.515160
- Stratford Heights Garage 39.130437, -84.520771
- University Park Apartments (UPA) 39.128452, -84.516383
Bearcats Move-in Fall 2026
Residents will be assigned move-in appointment times for check-in as listed in the table below. All students can view their move-in appointment in their housing portal beginning in late July.
First-year student check-ins Aug. 18 - 20 are designed to help residents settle in and prepare for Bearcats Welcome. Resident Advisors will lead floor meetings in all residence halls at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20. First-year students are required to attend.
Classes begin Monday, Aug. 24.
| Date | Key Information |
Appointment Times |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 15 | Early arrivals (must be approved) | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| Aug. 15 | Meal plan service begins | |
| Aug. 18 - 19 | First-year student move-in (move-in timeslots assigned) | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Aug. 20 | First-year student move-in (move-in timeslots assigned) Note: Stratford Heights and UPA will not operate their check-in stations on this date |
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
| Aug. 20 | Floor meetings in residential communities; attendance required for first-year students (evening appointments) | Meeting time 4:45 p.m. |
| Aug. 21-23 | Upperclass and all other students move-in (by appointment) | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Note: Your timeslot is your arrival time to check-in location, not your residence location. Please plan to arrive up to 15 minutes before that timeslot up to 15 minutes after.
Special Arrival Requests
Students seeking to move in before Aug. 18-20 must be approved to do so. Requests may be made in the housing portal when timeslots are assigned in July.
- The earliest arrival date for an approved request is August 15.
- Early arrival is considered anything prior to August 18.
Students moving into university housing outside of the formal check-in times on Aug. 15 and Aug. 18-20 should report directly to their residence halls for check-in. Students should make every effort to arrive at their check-in location during the scheduled check-in times to ensure a smooth move-in experience.
After August 20, first-year students should go directly to their community for check-in and unloading if they arrive between 9 am. and 4 p.m. If you arrive after this time, please refer to the after-hours arrival information.
Students arriving after hours should report to their community's service center to complete check-in. Service centers will maintain 24-hour staffing. Students checking into communities without a service center should call the RA on-call number upon arrival.
Move-in Pro Tips
Pack on Wheels!
Use all of your family's wheeled luggage, wheeled tubs, and bring your own cart to speed up your move-in.
What other wheeled containers do you have at home? Start getting them ready now.
More Tips
- Do NOT bring tall vehicles to check-in, such as U-Hauls, tall trucks, etc. You will be going through garages. For information about the height limits of UC garages, please refer to the Parking Services locations page.
- You may be queued in the garage for check-in for some time. Be sure your car has plenty of gas, you've eaten, and have taken care of any other urgent needs before entering!
- Prepare for inclement weather (umbrellas, tarps or plastic sheeting).
- Recycle your cardboard: There are recycling bins located near most campus residence halls. Your hall service center will have a map with bin locations. Please use these bins to dispose of any cardboard boxes and other recyclable materials from move-in.
- If you can remove packaging and cardboard at home, you will save trips to & space in the dumpster.
- Be prepared for traffic, wait times, and hot or inclement weather. UC will be communicating severe weather messaging through the Rave Alert system. Students are auto-enrolled in this. Families can sign up online by using the blue 'register' button at the top of the page on UC's Rave portal.
- Pack an essentials bag separately so your student can easily access important items right away. Include items like IDs/Bearcat cards, water bottles, snacks, and chargers.
- Encourage your student to complete their Room Condition Report after move-in.
Walkthrough Videos
Step 1: Arrival & Check-in
As you approach your check-in location, look for signs with this image to let you know you are heading to the check-in point. Step 1 is check-in and queueing for release to your unloading area.
Step 2: Unloading
After checking in and being released from your queueing location, follow signs to Step 2, your unloading area.
Dash Pass (fall move-in only)
All first-year students will utilize their Dash Pass, which is emailed to their UC email accounts during the week of August 5. This pass is designed to streamline check-in procedures, manage traffic flow, and provide essential contact information for on-site staff.
Upperclass and transfer students will not receive a Dash Pass and will go directly to their communities to check in and unload.
Your Dash Pass, attached to the pre-arrival instructions, contains the following details:
- Step 1 - Check-in: Your initial stop, typically a garage where you'll queue and complete the check-in process.
- Building Location: Indicates your assigned community, aiding traffic directors in guiding you to the unloading area.
- Step 2 - Unload: Specifies the designated area near your building where vehicle unloading is permitted.
- Check-In Code: A personalized QR code for efficient scanning by our staff, facilitating a quick check-in.
- Student Housing Information: Your personal details, including name and contact information, for communication while you're away from your vehicle.
Print Your Dash Pass
We strongly recommend printing your Dash Pass and bringing it to check-in for a smooth and efficient arrival experience.
Please note: after-hours arrivals and first-year students who arrive on dates outside Aug. 15 and Aug. 18 - 20 will not be required to queue in garages and should proceed directly to their assigned community for check-in.
Step 1: Queue Locations
- CAL: Calhoun Garage
- Serves Calhoun and Siddall Halls
- CG: Campus Green Garage
- Serves Dabney, Daniels, Marian Spencer, Morgens, Schneider, Scioto, and Turner Halls
- CRC: West entrance of Campus Recreation Center Hall
- Serves CRC Hall
- SH: Stratford Heights Garage
- Serves all Stratford Heights buildings
- UPA: University Park Apartments Surface Lot
- Serves UPA
Step 2: Unload Locations
- CAL: Calhoun Garage
- Serves Calhoun and Siddall Halls
- D.Cir: Daniels Circle
- Serves Dabney and Daniels Halls
- UA 1: University Avenue Garage Level 1
- Serves Marian Spencer, Morgens, and Scioto Halls
- UA 2: University Avenue Garage Level 2
- Serves Schneider and Turner Halls
- CRC: West entrance of Campus Recreation Center Hall
- Serves CRC Hall
- SH: Stratford Heights Lot 3
- Serves all Stratford Heights buildings
- UPA: University Park Apartments Surface Lot
- Serves UPA
First-Year Move-in Communities
During Fall semester move-in, students in first-year communities will generally follow this process:
- Students should go to their designated check-in location at their assigned move-in appointment time. Refer to your Dash Pass for this information. (Campus Green Garage, Calhoun Garage, Stratford Garage, etc.).
- Students will be released in groups to go to their halls for unloading vehicles.
- After unloading vehicles, students with parking passes should park in their designated locations. Guests may park in the check-in garages.
- Note: First-year students at USquare will NOT be sent Dash Passes and will go directly to their communities for check-in and unloading.
During Spring semester move-in, students will generally check in directly at their assigned communities.
First-Year Communities
- Calhoun Hall
- Campus Recreation Center Hall
- Dabney Hall
- Daniels Hall
- Marian Spencer Hall
- Morgens Hall
- Schneider Hall
- Scioto Hall
- Siddall Hall
- Stratford Heights
- Turner Hall
- U Square Apartments (no Dash Pass)
- University Park Apartments
Upperclass Move-in Communities
Students in our upperclass communities will generally follow this process:
- Upperclass students will NOT receive a Dash Pass and should go directly to their assigned communities to check-in and unload.
- After unloading vehicles, students with parking passes should park in their designated locations. Guests may park in the check-in garages.
Please make every effort to arrive at your communities between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to ensure a smooth move-in experience. This includes the following communities:
- 101 East Corry
- Gateway Lofts
- U Square
- The Verge
Map
Click image for printable PDF
The move-in/move-out map shows parking (green structures) in relation to residence communities, as well as unloading areas for leased propertoes.
U Square residents please note that a construction project is currently blocking your building on Calhoun Street. Please follow instructions for check-in and unloading in Calhoun Garage in the Campus Core Traffic Maps below.
More detailed Google maps and coordinates can be found on the Parking website.
Bed Adjustment Requests
Advance bed adjustment requests may generally be made in late July through the housing portal. Information about requesting adjustments will be included in the July assignment letters or in a separate communication for any June assignments.
Due to safety considerations, university policy does not permit residents to construct their own bed lofts or bunks for use in the residence hall rooms. Residents are not allowed to loft, bunk or de-loft their own beds.
For more information about options available in your community, visit our Bed Adjustments page.
Cardboard
There are recycling bins located near each campus residence hall. Please use these bins to dispose of any cardboard boxes and other recyclable materials from move-in.
If you live in USquare, 101 E. Corry, Gateway Lofts or The Verge check with property management for recycling options, or use the campus bin closest to your apartment.
How to Submit Your Room Condition Report
The electronic Room Condition Report (eRCR) system allows you to quickly note any issues or imperfections in your room when you move in or out, helping us keep your space in great condition from day one and the next resident!
Campus Core Traffic Maps
Click image for printable PDF
U Square residents please see the U Square section below for more information and refer to the email you received Aug. 12 regarding construction.
Click image for printable PDF
Click image for printable PDF
Click image for printable PDF
Click image for printable PDF
Click image for printable PDF
Moving In Aug. 18 - 20
Moving In Aug. 21 - 23
Click image for printable PDF
Tips & Tricks: Aug. 3 Coffee Chat Replay
Parent & Family Programs hosted a Coffee Chat on Aug. 3 featuring University Housing move-in experts. While all the information covered is on this website, the video replay covers the high points and critical information you'll need for move-in. You'll also get answers to many of the frequently asked questions.
UPDATE for U SQUARE residents: please refer to the email sent Aug. 12 for updates to your move-in instructions due to construction project in front of your building.