Move-in day is an exciting time for all students. New Jags experience the thrill of starting a new chapter here at IU Indianapolis, with Bridge Week and Weeks of Welcome events to help settle in.
Returning Jags enjoy the confidence of a comeback, rekindling friendships and preparing for the academic year ahead. All students are supported by staff and volunteers to help make a smooth transition to campus life.
If you have not registered for classes by Aug. 15, you will not be able to move in to your residence hall.
Move-in schedule
Move-in type
Move-in date(s)
Bridge Move-in
For students participating in the Bridge program (Aug. 18–22)
Aug. 16–17
General Move-in For students arriving in preparation for the first day of classes (Aug. 25)
Aug. 23
Scheduling your move-in time
Students will use a move-in scheduler to select which day and time they plan to arrive to campus. Selecting a move-in time is required and we cannot accept early arrivals. After your move-in time is scheduled, it can be updated as needed. Please note that if you select a new time, you automatically give up the original time selected.
Live chat recap
In July, Housing hosted a move-in live chat session to answer questions for students and families.
Arrive only at your scheduled time—early check-in isn’t allowed. Check in at the Campus Center, where you’ll get unloading and parking passes for each vehicle assisting with your move-in. Volunteers will be on site at your building to assist during your scheduled slot.
Traditional residence hall beds are loftable. Furniture can be rearranged but not removed. Removable wall safe adhesives are allowed for decorations.
For University Tower, we encourage bringing a shower curtain for your private bathroom and floor and desk lamps.
Check your housing portal daily for updates to your roommates or housing assignment.
Room and furniture dimensions are available below. If bringing an area rug, a rug that is 5’x8’ or smaller fits well in most rooms. Some rooms are carpeted, but most have been updated with laminate flooring.
You can start using your meal plan on August 16 (or the day you move in). Dining dollars work like a prepaid balance. Microwaves are NOT allowed in rooms unless you rent a MicroFridge. Each residence hall kitchenette also contains a microwave and sink. Rice cookers and hot pots are only allowed in apartments like Riverwalk.
Each hall includes free laundry, water refill stations, elevators (except for the Riverwalk Apartments), and common spaces. Bathrooms are either communal or private depending on the building.
Use your CrimsonCard (physical or digital card) or key depending on your hall. If your card doesn’t work for any reason, please visit the check-in desk. Digital access is available through the IU Mobile app. Digital access still works if your phone is not charged.
Look forward to first-night socials, Bridge Week, and Weeks of Welcome events. Event schedules are posted in each hall.
Email reslife@iu.edu or call Housing at 317-274-7200. Also check your IU email for updates.
Checking in at the Campus Center
All students must check in with Housing and Residence Life (HRL) staff at the Campus Center. Lot 80, located in front of the Campus Center, is designated temporary parking for student and family vehicles.
Family and those assisting with move-in may wait in their vehicles or come in and enjoy refreshments and coffee near the Bookstore while their student completes their check-in process.
During move-in, please be aware of construction projects that may impact traffic around our campus. In particular, some lane restrictions or closures are present on 10th St., West St. and Blackford St. The most up-to-date information about street closures is available from the Indiana Department of Transportation and City of Indianapolis.
Moving into your residence hall
Once your check-in is complete, head to your residence hall. You will receive parking passes that can be used for your unloading process and later Long-Term Parking (LTP). These passes are for you and any additional vehicles helping you move into your residence hall.
Move Crew volunteers, a team of dedicated student leaders, will be available to help expedite your unloading process so you can focus on unpacking and settling in.
Unloading time: 15 minutes*
Where to unload: Pull into the line on Blake St. and North St. and wait for the green light to head to the circle drive on the north side of the building.
What to do:
Start unloading at the curb — a Move Crew member will meet you to help load your things into a cart.
Once the cart’s packed, you and your crew can take your stuff to your room
Someone should stay with the car(s) the whole time. Once you’re all set, move it to Lot 71 or the Tower Garage if you’ve got a TGS permit.
*15 minutes is the timeframe to unload in the unloading zone. Once your vehicle is in Long-Term Parking, you can go back to your room and take as long as you need to unpack and decorate.
Unloading Time: 15 minutes
Where to unload: Enter Lot 69 from Blackford St. (east entrance) and follow directions to a spot at the west end of the lot.
What to do:
Start unloading — Move Crew will meet you or can be found near the courtyard entrance.
They’ll help you load a cart, then you and your helpers can head to your room.
Keep someone with the car at all times. When you’re done unloading, move your vehicle to Lot 71.
Unloading Time: 15 minutes
Where to unload: Head to the front drive of Ball Hall via Riley Hospital Drive.
What to do:
Unload at the curb or nearby lot — Move Crew will help load everything into a cart.
Once it’s full, you and your crew can start taking things up to your room.
Don’t forget: keep someone with the car(s) at all times. Once you’re done, move your vehicle(s) to Lot 63 for the rest of the day.
Unloading time: 30 minutes
Where to unload: Find the assigned unloading zone listed on the front of the unloading pass you received at check-in– there are five zones throughout Riverwalk.
What to do:
Start unloading and moving things into your apartment.
Move Crew volunteers will be floating around to help, and you can grab a cart from the community office or nearby tent/kiosk.
Make sure someone stays with your vehicle(s), and once everything’s unloaded, move to Lot 63.
Parking
Once your vehicle is unloaded, students and families can park their vehicles in one of two Long-Term Parking (LTP) lots. Once your vehicle is in Long-Term Parking, you can unpack and decorate.
LTP parking is free all weekend. Use the IU Indianapolis Map for an interactive view of various campus locations.
What to bring
The best part of Move-in is making your new space feel like home. See our recommendations of what items you’ll need. Take a moment to learn about our residential policies, too.
University Tower, North Hall, and Ball Hall packing list
Each resident is provided:
3-drawer dresser
Desk
Lofting bed
Safety bed rail (upon request)
Twin XL mattress
Wardrobe or closet
Bathrobe, towels, washcloths
Charging cables/station
Cleaning supplies
Clothing hangers
Command strips and painter’s tape
First aid kit
Hair dryer
Laptop/computer
Laundry detergent, basket/bag/hamper
Personal toiletries
Prescription medications
Seasonal clothing
Shower caddy/shower shoes
Shower curtain (Tower only)
Surge protector
Toilet paper (Tower only)
Trash can
Twin XL linens, pillows, blanket
Umbrella/rainwear
Bicycle with U-lock
Coffee maker (with auto shutoff)
Decor/posters
Desk/floor lamp
Ethernet cable (Cat 5 or 6)
Fan
Hanging closet shelves
Kitchen appliances w/ auto shutoff (e.g., air popper, electric kettle, rice cooker, slow cooker, blender, juicer)
Microwave only permitted through MicroFridge rental
* For bed kits - Variable height. Beds in Ball, North,and University Tower can be lofted or un-lofted by the resident. All lofting pieces are in the room at move-in and cannot be removed. Mallets, instructions, and extra bed pins (used to connect lofted pieces) are available at community desks.
Individual microwave units are not allowed in the dorms. We have partnered with MicroFridge to provide students the option to rent their own mini fridge that comes with a smoke detecting microwave. Combined with your roommates, students are allowed up to 7 cubic feet of fridge space in their dorm.
Register withMicroFridgeby August 1 to have your MicroFridge set up in your room before your move-in date!
