Housing & Dining Services

Move-In

FAQs

Why are reservations needed? How will it help me move-in?

Move-in is an exciting and hectic time on campus and for students. With more than 6000 students arriving in a limited period, use of the reservation process has proven helpful for everyone by spreading out arrivals a little more evenly throughout the primary move-in days, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. While every day is busy, organizing the process through reservations helps alleviate some of the competition for vehicle unloading, moving carts, elevator rides, FSL volunteers, lines for check-in, and lines for meals. Positive feedback from students, families, and guests have been very favorable about this experience.

When will move-in reservations open?

Move-in reservations are connected to where a student is assigned, so reservations open as most assignments conclude in the later part of July. Students will get a notification on the CSU Housing Portal and via email to alert them when reservations will open and a reminder when the process has begun. A link to the reservation form on the portal will also update on the website here.

What if I need to schedule travel, time off, etc. before reservations open?

We are aware that, for some, getting to campus in August requires time to plan before the reservation process opens.  Some students and families need to book plane tickets, request time off work, or coordinate moving multiple students to college around the same time.  Please go ahead and make the arrangements you need with a plan to arrive during the move-in days, Monday-Wednesday.  Then, when reservations open, the student should select a time and date that coincides with, or is as close as possible, to that arrival.  To date, we have been able to work with all such travel and move-in plans. 

I am part of an RLC. Do I need to arrive on a particular date?

HDS collaborates with a number of other offices around campus to help coordinate details of the Opening and Ram Welcome experience. Specific information about move-in and other opening week activities for RLCs will be communicated by those offices and their staff. Please continue to monitor your CSU email and other campus resources for important communication.

What if we arrive early or late for our reservation time?

Travel can be unpredictable, regardless of how far you must go or how well you have planned. We understand that may mean people getting here faster or slower than anticipated. Please try to arrive during your reserved time to have the best possible arrival experience. This will also limit sudden surges and competition for resources like unloading spaces and carts. There is no penalty for early or late arrival; everyone will be checked-in as timely as possible. If you arrive early, you may be asked to step aside momentarily if there is a line of people for that scheduled arrival time. If you arrive late, options for check-in will still be available every day. Please note that a later arrival, after 6:00pm, Monday-Wednesday, or any time Thursday-Sunday, may mean fewer available resources, such as move-in volunteers and other supports arranged for the primary move-in times.

Is there an option to arrive early? If so, how can I qualify?

Yes, when reservations open, students will see an option to select arrival on the Saturday or Sunday prior to move-in. There is an added fee, $75.00/day, that includes meals. Students do not need to be approved or part of a University program or activity to select this option, though we certainly see a number of campus offices encouraging students participating in their activities to arrive on these dates. Past examples have included marching band, campus employment, international orientation, and others. On these dates, check-in will be via the front desk and there are no specific arrival times but we do suggest checking in between 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., if possible. The front desk is open 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. and a duty number will be posted to call for assistance, if needed.

Will there be carts and elevators available at every building?

We cannot guarantee availability of carts or space in elevators, so we encourage students and families to plan accordingly. The supply of carts is limited, but we do manage a check-out process that aims to make these available for as many arriving students as possible. If you can bring your own dolly, cart, wagon, or similar, it may prove useful to you and help keep carts for check-out available to others in need. Some of our older buildings do not have elevators or may only have a service elevator with limited availability: Allison, Edwards, Ingersoll, and Newsom Halls. Corbett Hall has two service elevators that will be available, but limited. These buildings are places where our Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) volunteers are most helpful in hauling belongings up stairs to lighten your load as much as possible. Please keep this in mind as you prepare for your move-in experience.

As described elsewhere among these questions, a key reason for the move-in reservation process, is to help spread out resources to be as available as possible for students arriving to campus.

When are volunteers available to help me unload and move stuff into my room?

We partner with the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) to provide hundreds of volunteers during our primary move-in days, Monday-Wednesday. As available, we have also been fortunate to have members of several CSU athletic teams help for some time as well.

These volunteers are scheduled from 8 am to 6 pm, to coincide with the reservation and primary arrival times. The volunteers are trained and supervised to be helpful and considerate of handling student property.

Volunteers are not available outside of these scheduled days and times.

Are we allowed to bring a moving truck, trailer, shipping pod, or similar?

Moving trucks and trailers, including horse trailers or similar, are permitted, but with caution. These can cause numerous issues during this busy time. Arrival and unloading areas can create tight quarters, that may be difficult to navigate with larger or extended vehicles. That difficulty can be heightened with all the other added traffic in and around campus. If your driver is less experienced handling such vehicles, this can cause further delays. Drop-off shipping pods are NOT ALLOWED due to parking restrictions, as well as difficulty caused if they are mis-delivered, or their owner/user cannot be identified.

Will parking be enforced during Move-In Week?

Yes, with some added patience and understanding.  Please be attentive to all signs. Also watch for any staff present who will offer directions for unloading, and guide vehicles without permits to temporary parking areas when unloading is complete.  More specific details about parking and traffic will be shared near the end of the summer. We encourage you to review details on the Parking & Transportation Services websitehttps://pts.colostate.edu/. 

Am I required to participate in Ram Welcome?

Ram Welcome provides an opportunity for new students to build upon their orientation experience and begin their successful adjustment to CSU by exploring academic programs, engaging with faculty and staff, learning about services available to support the college experience, becoming part of the CSU campus community, connecting with other new and current students, learning traditions and discovering what it means to be a CSU Ram. New students should plan on arriving in order to attend Ram Welcome programming. For more information on Ram Welcome visit ramwelcome.colostate.edu or contact orientation@colostate.edu.