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Students smile as they move-in.

Move-In

Move-In for Fall 2024 will begin on Monday, August 12 and will go through Sunday, August 18. All residents will be able to self-select their own move-in date and time. Students will be notified of the sign-up process in the summer. Meal plans will be activated on Monday, August 12. 

Planning Your Arrival

  • Move-In Tips

Keep these things in mind as you prepare to Move-In:

  • Plan Ahead - If you know that you will be going home over Labor Day weekend or later in the semester, don’t pack all of the clothes that you will need for the entire year. Lessen your initial load to see what you really need later.
  • Be prepared for traffic - Try your best to remain patient.
  • Do not leave your car or belongings unattended - Your car might get towed and your belongings might go missing. University staff are not responsible for lost or stolen property during the Move-In process.
  • No trailers allowed - Sorry.
  • Pay Attention - Watch out for extra pedestrians during Move-In. Look for and follow all traffic and parking signs. Do not block things like:
    • Entrances
    • Exits
    • Public Transit pick-up/drop-off locations
    • Other vehicles that are parked
  • Not quite sure what happens at Illinois State during Move-In? Our demonstration video gives a glimpse of key moments you will encounter during your Move-In experience and important information to prepare yourself before your Move-in day!
  • What Should I Bring?

Below is a packing list of items to consider bringing to campus to make you comfortable in your new home.

Move-in Packing List

  • What to Expect on Move-In Day

Unloading Your Belongings

  • Unload your belongings in the designated area.
  • Move your car to a designated parking area immediately after unloading (there will be directional signage).
  • Check out a cart if needed.
  • Go to your designated check-in area to receive your room key from hall staff.
  • Allow staff to help load your cart onto the elevator for you.
  • Enjoy Welcome Week activities and your new Redbird home.

Getting Items to Your Room

  • Put the sturdiest boxes on the bottom and soft items on top, without packing your cart more than three feet high.
  • Make sure everything is stable before you begin to move by bringing plastic wrap or bungee cords.
  • Allow our staff to load your cart onto the elevator for you
  • Directions
  • Hewett-Manchester

    Because of planned street closures on campus, please rely on these directions rather than directions from GPS or other mobile devices. Hewett-Manchester Driving Direction Map.

    • Traveling on I-55 North

      1. Exit 167-Veterans Parkway
      2. At the stoplight, go right onto Veterans Parkway
      3. Take slight right (west) onto Shelbourne Drive
      4. Turn right (west) at stop sign, continue on Shelbourne Drive
      5. After three stop signs, turn left (south) onto Linden Street
      6. After two stoplights, turn right (west) onto Mulberry Street
      7. Continue to Hewett and Manchester Halls
    • Traveling on I-55 South

      1. Exit 167-Veterans Parkway
      2. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto Veterans Parkway
      3. Take slight right (west) onto Shelbourne Drive
      4. Turn right (west) at stop sign, continue on Shelbourne Drive
      5. After three stop signs, turn left (south) onto Linden Street
      6. After two stoplights, turn right (west) onto Mulberry Street
      7. Continue to Hewett and Manchester Halls
  • Tri-Towers

    Because of planned street closures on campus, please rely on these directions rather than directions from GPS or other mobile devices. Tri-Towers Driving Direction Map.

    • Traveling on I-55 North

      1. Exit 165A-Main Street
      2. Turn right (west) onto Gregory Street
      3. Turn left onto Adelaide Street to arrive at the residence hall entrance
    • Traveling on I-55 South

      1. Exit 165-Main Street
      2. Turn left (south) onto Main Street
      3. Turn right (west) onto Gregory Street
      4. Turn left onto Adelaide Street to arrive at the residence hall entrance
  • Watterson Towers

    Because of planned street closures on campus, please rely on these directions rather than directions from GPS or other mobile devices. Watterson Towers Driving Direction Map.

    • Traveling on I-55 North

      1. Exit 165A-Main Street and continue south on Main Street
      2. Turn left (east) onto College Avenue
      3. Turn right (south) at second stoplight onto School Street
      4. Turn left (east) onto North Street
      5. Turn right (south) onto Fell Avenue
      6. Continue to Watterson Towers
    • Traveling on I-55 South

      1. Exit 165-Main Street and turn left (south) onto Main Street
      2. Turn left (east) onto College Avenue
      3. Turn right (south) at second stoplight onto School Street
      4. Turn left (east) onto North Street
      5. Turn right (south) onto Fell Avenue
      6. Continue to Watterson Towers

    Finding Your Room

    If your room number starts with a “3”, the elevator stops on your floor in your House (your “House” is one of the following: A-North, A-South, B-North, B-South, C-North, C-South, D-North, D-South, E-North, E-South). If your room number does not start with a “3”, you will need to walk up or down stairs to your floor. For example, Watterson C-North Room#203: Take the elevator to the third floor of C-North House and walk down one flight to the second floor of C-North. If you need help on move-in day, any of our staff members will be happy to show you the lay of the land!

  • Cardinal Court

    Because of planned street closures on campus, please rely on these directions rather than directions from GPS or other mobile devices. Cardinal Court Driving Direction Map.

    • Traveling on I-55 North

      1. Exit 165A-Main Street and continue south on Main Street
      2. Turn right (west) onto Gregory Street
      3. Turn right into Cardinal Court entrance
    • Traveling on I-55 South

      1. Exit 165-Main Street and turn left (south) onto Main Street
      2. Turn right (west) onto Gregory Street
      3. Turn right into Cardinal Court entrance

Move-in Demonstration

Other Helpful Information

  • Meal Plans
All meal plans will be activated on Monday, August 14. More detailed information, including hours of operation, will be shared on the Dining website.
  • Security

During Move-In hours, our doors are unlocked for easier access throughout the day. However, once Move-In hours are over, you will need your Redbird ID to access the residence halls. Take time during your Move-In day to go to the Redbird Card office and get your ID. The Redbird Card Office will be open at various times throughout Move-In week, including extended hours during Move-In weekend.

If you have any guests staying with you past Move-In hours, you must register all guests at the front desk.

  • Roommate Agreement

Once you are moved into the residence halls, you and your roommate(s) will complete a roommate agreement to ensure a better shared living environment. Start thinking about your answers during the roommate selection process to ensure you will be a good match!

  • Trash and Recycling
Dumpsters and recycling receptacles are located outside each residential building. You are responsible for regularly removing trash and recycling from your space.
  • Lofting Beds

Beds can be lofted (only with the lofts provided by the University) at multiple heights to give plenty of room underneath for storage space or other furniture. If interested, visit your building front desk to request a loft kit during your move-in time free of charge based on availability.

Pro-Tip: For a junior loft height (ranges from 10 to 33 inches from the floor) you will not need a loft kit. A two-pound rubber mallet will be needed when lofting your bed and we will provide one at the front desk.

View our Video Tutorial to learn how to set one up!

  • Room Changes

Room changes are not permitted from the time you receive your assignment through the first 10 days of classes. Changes must be approved by your Residence Hall Coordinator (RHC).

  • Contract Cancellations

Requests for cancellation must be submitted using the Online Contract Cancellation Form. Notification to other university offices does not terminate the contract. IMPORTANT: Depending on the date you cancel; charges and fees may apply. Please review cancellation dates and information under Housing Contracts.

  • Care Packages and Linens

Through the Association of Residence Halls and SWAK University Services, Care Packages and Linens are available for purchase. *A portion of the proceeds from this service goes to the Illinois State University Association of Residence Halls, a student run organization that provides valuable services and programming to all on campus residents. More information can be found at the Association of Residence Halls Website.