Move-in Fall 2021

• New students:  Residence hall move-in begins 9 a.m. Aug. 24. Apartment move-in is on the apartment complex’s designated move-in day.
• Returning students:  Residence hall move-in begins 9 a.m. Aug. 29 – 31. Those arriving Aug. 29 may have arrival time based on last name. Apartment move-in is on the apartment complex’s designated move-in day. 

 International student arrival information from Sindecuse Health Center

 

Aug. 9		Students choose an arrival time. Directions will be emailed Aug. 9.
Aug. 24	7 – 9 p.m.	Local drop-off day: Kalamazoo County students drop off belongings, return for Fall Welcome move-in. Eligible students to be emailed the week of Aug. 2.
Aug. 26-28	Assigned	Fall Welcome move-in for first-year and registered transfer students. Assigned days are below. Arrival times will be sent in early in August. Thursday, Aug. 26: AROTC, AFROTC College of Aviation College of Education and Human Development Lee Honors College Friday, Aug. 27 College of Engineering and Applied Sciences First-year seminar students (course FYE-2100) Transfer students participating in Fall Welcome Saturday, Aug. 28 All remaining first-year students Sophomores who lived at home, had all online classes 2021-22 and are registered for Fall Welcome
Aug. 29-31	Begins at 9 a.m.	Transfer students not participating in Fall Welcome

Athletes and Bronco Marching Band move-in will be communicated by coaches and the band director.

Returning students arrive Aug. 29 - 31. Those coming Sunday, Aug. 29 may have designated arrival times based on their last name. There are no designated arrival times on Monday, Aug. 30 and Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Sophomores who lived at home, had all online classes 2021-22 and are registered for Fall Welcome arrive Aug. 28.

COVID testing

WMU is discussing a COVID testing event for students on major residence hall move-in days. Information will be posted here and in emails to students once more is known.

What to bring

Click here to see what comes in the room, TV compatibility, wireless compatibility for gaming systems and other devices, and what is not allowed. There is also a printable packing list that covers all the bases. If you are ordering a microfridge, carpet or futon for in-room delivery from one of our vendors, orders are due at the end of July or early August.

Student ID

Students participating in the optional in-person orientation sessions will get their student ID while on campus. Those not coming to Kalamazoo will submit their photo online and pick up their ID at check-in. Photos must be submitted by Aug. 1. Contact Parking Services with questions.

Pre-arrival form

Aug. 20, the pre-arrival form link will be sent to your WMU email. It must be completed before a room key can be issued. Once submitted, a copy will be emailed to you.

Lofts

All halls come with loft kits already in the room. Some beds may already be lofted. If not, the extra head and footboard, stabilizer rail and safety bar will be in the closet. You can set the loft to any height you desire. Watch our video showing how to loft your bed so you know what to do.

• Harrison/Stinson residents: Beds are different in Harrison/Stinson. Please watch this video for how to loft your beds.

Other

Check the Golden Gateway for any information needed for Fall Welcome.

Download the WMU Mobile app. It provides access to online menus, the bus system and more.

Arrival time

Fall Welcome participants will have a move-in block of 60 minutes, with a maximum of 33 students arriving each block per hall. During that time, students arrive, get their room key, unload belongings, and park their car. You have all day take things to your room and set it up. Students will be emailed Aug. 9 with directions on how to choose a time.

Returning students moving in Aug. 29, do not have arrival blocks.

COVID testing

WMU is discussing a COVID testing event for students on major residence hall move-in days. Information will be posted here and in emails to students once more is known.

Unloading zones and parking

Volunteers will be in roadways to greet you. They will issue a 15-minute unloading permit, and direct your car into a temporary unloading spot in front of the residence hall.

• Move-in parking map

While students get their room key, family unloads the vehicle onto the grass. Once unloaded, the vehicle is moved to a nearby parking lot for the day.

Students and parents can park in any student space in lots designated A, C, F, K and W during move-in week. Valley parking lots fill quickly, so Valley overflow parking is designated in nearby lots (see map). Cars in employee, reserved and handicapped (unless a permit is displayed) spaces will be ticketed, as well as vehicles on sidewalks and the grass. Unloading areas in front of the residence halls will also be enforced.

Valley 2 drive is converted to one-way roads between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for new student move-in.

Check-in

Check-in stations will have one-way traffic in and out of the space. New students should have their phone cued to the Fall Welcome QR code to check in for the program and receive your materials. A government-issued photo ID or WMU ID is needed to get your room key. You will also receive directions on how to complete your online room inventory to document the condition of your room.

Carts and dollies

Each hall will have 15-20 large bins students or families can check out to help get belongings to the room. Bins will be wiped down between families. Families can also bring their own carts and dollies to move boxes and belongings.

Dining Services

Throughout Fall Welcome, Aug. 26 - 31, WMU Dining Services will be open for enrolled students and Fall Welcome program staff.  Due to occupancy restrictions, families are encouraged to eat before or after moving their student into their residence hall at an off-campus location or pack their own beverages and meals. To ensure that our enrolled students receive the best service, this also means that Guest Passes from student meal plans will not be accepted during Fall Welcome. Dining apologizes for this inconvenience, as usually they are thrilled to invite families and others to try the dining experience at WMU. 

Doors, elevators and stairs

All front doors, security doors and stairwell doors will be propped open until 6 p.m. on major move-in days to eliminate a high-touch surface area.

All halls have elevators. Please respect social distancing when using the elevators. To expedite the use of elevators, we encourage you to take the elevator up with belongings, but use the stairs to come down, as long as you are able to do so.

Valley halls have two stairwells, so one will be designated for traffic going up, and the other for traffic going down. Where possible, lobbies will have designated one-way lanes for people coming in and out of the building.

Problems with your room?

If you have any concerns with your room upon arrival, please speak with the hall director or graduate assistant. They can be found in the hall office or check-in room. Custodial and maintenance are on standby to assist.

Recycling

Move-in brings a lot of cardboard and Styrofoam. Large dumpsters are outside the hall where you can drop off your cardboard. Please remove Styrofoam and break down the boxes. There are large bags staked next to the dumpster for the Styrofoam. Visit the Facilities move-in recycling page for more information.

Pets

Pets, other than fish and service animals, are not allowed into the residence halls.  We recommend leaving family pets at home so you do not have to leave them in the car during August’s hot temperatures.

Room inventory

Complete the online room inventory found in the housing portal. This documents the state of your room, furniture, etc. upon arrival. When you move out, housing staff compare the inventory to the room's move-out condition to determine if damages happened. Room inventories are due a few days after you move in.

Logging on – computer, phone, gaming systems, TVs

Once you get into your room, register your computer or phone on the wireless network. If you have a gaming system or TV, register them on the network too. The site includes a list of incompatible devices.

Mail

Mail will begin to be delivered to the residence halls the first day of move in. Click here for details about sending and receiving mail.

Hall postings

Please take time to look at the information posted in the halls. This will include information about policies and campus services, as well as information about campus and hall events.