Moving Into The Residence Halls

Whether you are a new or returning student, moving in can be both fun and exhausting. We’ve worked with our students and staff to make the process more efficient. We offer suggestions on what to bring and what to leave at home, preparations you might need to make, move-in times, dining hours, helpful tips for moving in and more.

Fall Semester Move-In Schedule

New students: The Wednesday before classes begin.
Returning students: The Friday–Sunday before classes begin.
- Due to summer transitions, student staff training, and maintenance projects, students may not return earlier than the posted opening date and time.
- Students participating in Dawg Days, SIU Athletics, or Marching Salukis will receive arrival information directly from their program.

If you cannot move in on your designated day, you may move in the following day. Go directly to your assigned residence hall beginning at 9 a.m. to check in. Siblings may move in on the same day.

If you will move in later than 4:30 p.m. or arrive after Sunday, contact your area office: East Campus at (618) 453-3889 or West Campus at (618) 453-2471.

New Student Move-In Information

Last names A–M: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Last names N–Z: 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Automotive students will move in during the morning time slot. Aviation students will move in during the afternoon time slot.

East Campus: Mae Smith, Neely, and Schneider Halls

Park and unload where directed. Leave someone with your belongings and move your vehicle to Lot 45 (Rinella Field). With a government-issued photo ID, proceed to your residence hall check-in area to receive your key or fob. Use elevators to move belongings; lower floors may use stairways. Rolling carts are available to assist with move-in.

West Campus: Thompson Point

Unload curbside at your building. Leave someone with your belongings and move your vehicle to Lot 4 (Communications Building corner lot), Lot 23 (behind the Communications Building), or Lot 59 (past Greek Row). With a government-issued photo ID, go to Lentz Hall to complete check-in and receive your key or fob. Signage will direct you to the correct location.

Returning Students Move-In Information

Returning students may move in Friday–Sunday before classes begin, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check in at your assigned hall with a government-issued photo ID.

Note: Students arriving after assigned times must call the Residence Life duty phone at (618) 453-3889.

Spring Semester Move-In Schedule

Spring move-in takes place on the Saturday before classes begin, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Returning students

Students returning after Winter Break should follow the instructions on the winter break page.

New students

New students attending New Student Orientation on Friday may move in prior to orientation from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

If you are new to SIU this semester, follow the move-in instructions below.

To move in, pull your vehicle near your building and unload curbside. Leave someone with your belongings while you move your vehicle to a designated parking lot. East Campus parking is available in Lot 45 (Rinella Field) or Lot 106 (Wall Street). West Campus parking is available in Lot 4 (Communications Building corner lot). Vehicles must be moved immediately after unloading. Unattended vehicles may be towed at the owner’s expense.

After parking, bring a government-issued photo ID and check in at the area office on West Campus or in your building lobby on East Campus to receive your key. Once checked in, you may move your belongings from the unloading area to your room.

Lofts & Handcarts

A limited number of lofts and handcarts are available for check out at the following times and locations. If there is a long line for lofting items, you may come back later. If you own a handcart, we recommend you clearly label it with your name and bring it with you. A photo ID is required to check out a loft or handcart.

Learn how to loft or bunk your bed.

For rooms with beds already lofted, lofts may not be removed from room. If you wish to unloft your bed, you may store the lofting legs under the bed.

Lofts and moving carts may be checked out on designated move-in days between AM and PM at the locations listed below. Please view the Housing Calendar to see designated move-in days.

Fall Move-In

Area Loft Kits Carts

Mae Smith and Neely Follow directional signage Follow directional signage

West Campus Beds are already lofted Lentz, lower level, room 9D
Spring Move-In

Area Loft Kits Carts

Mae Smith and Neely Mae Smith, room 116B At the front desk

West Campus Beds are already lofted Lentz, lower level, room 9D

Area	Loft Kits	Carts
Mae Smith and Neely	Follow directional signage	Follow directional signage
West Campus	Beds are already lofted	Lentz, lower level, room 9D

Area	Loft Kits	Carts
Mae Smith and Neely	Mae Smith, room 116B	At the front desk
West Campus	Beds are already lofted	Lentz, lower level, room 9D

Dining Hours

Special dining hours are available during move in. During spring semester, the dining halls open with normal hours of operation on the Saturday prior to move-in. The dining halls offer regular hours of operation and full service at all meals during fall semester move in. Hours and services are subject to change.

Students sharing a meal in the dining hall, smiling and talking at a table.

Helpful Tips

The tips below will help your move-in experience go a bit more smoothly and help you more easily acclimate to campus life. The biggest tip for our residents is to read the material provided and ask questions if you're unsure of the answers. Also, be sure to carry your student ID on you at all times. You'll need it more often than you think.

Parking

Parking during Move-In is not typical of parking on the SIU campus. We have many additional vehicles on campus during this time. Department of Public Safety officers will tell everyone where to park during move in. After move-in, parking lots will resume normal restrictions and a parking decal will be required.

Students may purchase a parking decal from the Parking Office, located on the lower level of Trueblood Hall on East Campus (next to Neely Hall).

Guests visiting campus after Move-In should request a temporary parking decal at the Parking Office.

Departure of Parents/Families

We are frequently asked by parents and family members when they should say their goodbye's and head home after moving their student into the residence halls. This answer is different for every family. Some are ready to depart as soon as their student is moved in. Others stay and go out to dinner or take their student shopping for last minute items.

The latest that we would recommend families staying would be breakfast on Sunday, before the floor meetings or house programs begin.

Housing Calendar

Be sure to add dates from the Housing Calendar to your personal calendar and share the dates with your family. Important break closing and opening dates are listed in this calendar.

Special Dining Hours

Special dining hours are typically offered during move-in. These hours will be posted online and at the dining halls.

Student ID Cards

Please be sure to bring a government-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID card, or passport) with you when you move in so you can claim your SIU Student ID card. Your Student ID card is required to access the dining halls, use on-campus laundry facilities, and enter many residence halls. After move-in is complete, guests must present a valid state ID or student ID card to accompany you into the residence halls.

The ID Card Office is located in the Student Center and is open Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm. Fall move in expanded hours are available. If you lose your card, report it immediately through SalukiNet, at the ID card office in the Student Center at (618) 536-3351, at a dining hall or with the Department of Public Safety at (618) 453-3771.

You are responsible for misuse of your card until it is reported lost or stolen.

Getting Connected

Learn how to get connected to campus with Internet and phone usage in the residence halls.

Lodging

Local hotel information is available online. Hotels fill up fast so be sure to make your reservations early.

Smoking Policy

SIU is a smoke-free campus.

The university’s policy, which aligns with the requirements of the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act, prohibits smoking on all campus property, including buildings, grounds, parking lots and university-owned or operated vehicles.

Pets

Fish are the only pets allowed in the residence halls. Move-in temperatures may be very low in January and high in late August so, for the safety of your family pet, we recommend you leave your pets at home, regardless of the semester that you are moving in.

What size carpeting should I get for my room?

The following sizes of carpets are the largest possible, based on the measurements that will not be obstructed by a convector, closet or sink (in suite-style rooms). Some students buy bigger rugs and cut them to size.

Mae Smith, Schneider & Neely: 9ft 8in x 14ft 6in
West Campus (single & double rooms): 17ft 8in x 9ft 5in
West Campus (triple rooms): front room is 13ft 6in x 11ft, rear room is 9ft x 12ft