MOVING IN

University Housing strives to make the process of moving into the residence halls as easy and stress-free as possible through providing dorm essentials check-lists, easy-to-navigate express check-in services, and other resources to help make students feel welcome and comfortable during their on-campus residency.

Express Check-in

For students moving in for fall semester 2025, the Express Check-in will be available beginning Thursday, July 24, 2025.

Steps to complete Express Check-in:

  1. Log in to the Housing Student Portal.
  2. Select the Express Check-in link from the menu on the left.
  3. Follow the process and complete the necessary online forms.

Drop N Go

All students living in the residence halls are required to register for a Drop N Go appointment time to move in for the fall semester. During the student’s appointment time, they will receive their residence hall room key, and have the opportunity to move their belongings into their room before returning home that evening.

For Drop N Go 2025, sign-ups open at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 24, and close at noon Monday, August 18. Room key pickup will be located in Lot 2.

To sign up, students need to log in to the Housing Student Portal. A confirmation email will be sent to the student after their appointment time has been accepted.

  • Your Hawkcard (or another valid government-issued photo ID). This will be required to receive your room key.
  • Bedding, blankets, and pillows. (Student mattresses are Twin XL size, which is 5 inches longer than a standard Twin mattress.)
  • Personal belongings that will help make campus feel like home, decorations, and any items that will save you time when you return to campus on September 2nd. Be sure to check out our list of suggested items.
  • Remember to bring water to drink while you bring items into your residence hall room! There are water bottle filling stations located in every building.

Make sure to review our housing policies to know which items are prohibited in the residence halls. University Housing policies are enforced at all times, regardless if classes are currently in session.

To ensure a smooth and efficient process during Drop N Go, please adhere to your scheduled date and time. If you need to change your appointment date or time, please contact us at housing@uww.edu.

  • Arrive at Parking Lot 2, (located off Prince Street between the Greenhill Center of the Arts and Laurentide Hall), where you will receive your room key and check-in packet. No keys will be available for you to pick up in your residence hall.
  • Remain in your vehicle and follow the drive through line to receive your key from the staff working in the purple tent. The student should be the person who claims the room key and have either their Hawkcard or driver’s license ready.
  • After you receive your room key and check-in packet, exit Lot 2 and follow the signs that will direct you towards your residence hall.
  • Park in the temporary unloading zone outside your residence hall to unload your items from your vehicle.
  • Keep in mind, unloading zones allow parking for 30 minutes or less. You will need to move your vehicle after 30 minutes and park in the residence hall lot (yellow) near your building.
  • Vehicles will not need to have a parking permit during the Drop N Go hours each day (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Vehicles left overnight in the residence hall lots will be required to have an appropriate parking permit. (Parking permits can be purchased online.)
  • After you have unloaded your vehicle, bring all of your belongings to your residence hall room. Carts will be available for use in the lobby of each building to make item transportation within the buildings easier. Please return carts to the lobby when you are done so others can use them.
  • University owned furniture must be left in rooms and common areas to which it has been allocated. The removal of any university owned furniture from student rooms or common areas is prohibited.
  • Once you have finished unpacking your items and setting up your room, be sure to close the windows/blinds, turn off the lights, and lock your door upon departure from campus. Students should keep their key until they arrive back on campus August 30 for the academic year. Students do not have to return their key after their Drop N Go appointment.
  • All trash should be brought outside to the garbage and recycling center for your building. Do not leave any personal items or trash in the hallways or common areas throughout the building.
  • Outside doors of the residence halls will be open until 7 p.m. each day. Student e-access will not be enabled until August 30, unless they are approved for Early Arrival through completing the application process on the Housing Student Portal.
  • If a student ordered a bed loft from Bedloft.com prior to August 5, the loft will be set up in the student’s room before their Drop N Go time slot. For questions regarding Bedloft, please contact our office at 262-472-5275.
  • After Drop N Go, return home and enjoy your last days of summer before returning to campus. First year students should return to campus for Warhawk Welcome orientation activities beginning August 30. Continuing students may return to campus any time between August 30 and September 1. Classes begin Tuesday, September 2 for all students.
  • Students signed up for Drop N Go August 21 - 27 will not be permitted to remain overnight in the residence halls.
  • Students signed up for Drop N Go August 28 - 29 are also encouraged to go home and return to campus as indicated above, but will not be required to do so. If students have Drop N Go during these dates and plan to stay on campus until the academic year starts, they should submit an Early Arrival request on the Housing Student Portal.
  • Dining Dollars will be accepted beginning on August 25, and Weekly Meal Plans will begin on August 30. Visit Dining Services for location hours and additional information.

Returning to campus after Drop N Go

When you return to campus for the academic year, there’s no need to check in at your residence hall’s front desk. Simply go to your residence hall room and unlock the door using your room key that you received during Drop N Go.

Your Resident Assistant (RA) will be stopping by to introduce themselves and answer any questions on August 30. RAs will also be hosting mandatory floor meetings within the next following days to go over ground rules and expectations for the year. Be sure to attend to receive important information on living in the dorms.

Early arrival

A student wearing a backpack with baseball bats sticking out gives thumbs up to the camera.

 

If you plan on arriving on campus and staying overnight prior to August 30, you will need to complete an Early Arrival application on the Housing Student Portal. Log in with your student Net ID and password, then select the “Early Arrival Request” tab on the side menu to access the application.

Confirmation of your early arrival will be sent to you though your UW-Whitewater email account. Once the application is approved, a non-refundable charge of $15 per day until August 30 will be applied to your student bill.

Students choosing Early Arrival will also need to sign up for a Drop N Go time slot to receive their residence hall key, and move their belongings (and themselves) into their dorm room.

What to bring to college: a checklist of items

A student lifts a large white teddy bear onto the top bunk..

 

Are you wondering, “What should I bring with me to my dorm room?” Below is a recommended list of items many students choose to bring when they live on campus.

  • Shower shoes
  • Towels/washcloths
  • Bath robe
  • Shower caddy
  • Pillows/pillow cases
  • XL twin sheets
  • Comforter
  • Blanket(s)
  • Liquid detergent (no laundry pods)
  • Dryer sheets
  • Mesh bags for socks/underwear/small items
  • Fabric softener
  • Laundry bag/basket
  • Lint roller
  • Wrinkle remover spray
  • Cleaning supplies (Clorox Wipes, Windex, Febreeze, etc.)
  • Computer screen cleaner
  • Ear plugs
  • First aid kit
  • Thermometer
  • Prescription medications
  • Personal hygiene products/toiletries:
    • Soap/shampoo/conditioner
    • Toothbrush/toothpaste/dental floss
    • Retainers
    • Shaving accessories
    • Hair brush/hair products/hair dryer
    • Makeup products/moisturizer
    • Lotion
    • Sunscreen
    • Deodorant
    • Nail clipper
  • Credit/debit cards
  • Driver’s license
  • Insurance cards
  • Passport/visa
  • Social security card
  • Lock box
  • TV
  • Alarm clock (or phone alarm)
  • Computer/laptop/iPad
  • Cell phone and charger
  • Portable charger(s)
  • Ethernet cable
  • Power strip with surge protector
  • TV coax cable
  • Microwave (900 w or less)
  • Compact refrigerator
  • Smart watches
  • Small vacuum cleaner (also available for check out at the front desks of each residence hall)
  • Futon (that can fit underneath a lofted bed)
  • Throw blanket
  • TV stand
  • Decorations
  • LED lights
  • Pictures/posters
  • Storage ottoman
  • Rug(s)
  • Clothes/winter jacket/hats/gloves/scarves
  • Umbrella/rain gear
  • Step stool/ladder (good for lofted beds)
  • Desk mirror
  • Command strips
  • Fan
  • Stamps
  • Backpack(s)
  • Calendar
  • Flashlight
  • Plastic food storage containers with lids
  • Dishware/silverware
  • Can opener
  • Sports equipment
  • Sunglasses
  • Scotch tape
  • School supplies (pens, pencils, paperclips, stapler, note cards, etc.)
  • Tool kit
  • Fridge magnets
  • Craft supplies (glue, construction paper, markers, colored pencils, etc.)
  • Rolling cart organizers
  • Planner
  • Post-it notes
  • Text books (available for pick-up at the University Bookstore)
  • Clothes pins
  • Jewelry/jewelry box

Warhawk Welcome

Warhawk Welcome

Helpful links

Here are some links to resources that may be helpful while you get settled into your on-campus living space: