Arrival Process
Move-in occurs Thursday, Sept. 18 - Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Sign up for move-in date & time in MyHousing (timeslots open August 16)
Meal Service begins with dinner on Thursday, September 18
Class begins Wednesday, September 24
Early arrival may be an option if you are in a special program. Follow your program’s specific arrival instructions.
Checking In & Unloading
1.
Follow our instructions arrive at your community’s car queue and check-in tent. Bring an official picture ID (driver’s license, passport, Western card) to receive your keys. At the tent you will receive your room keys and car tag, then be directed to your building’s unload area.
Access to Your Room
2. 3.
When it’s your turn to unload, staff will check your car tag and direct you to a parking spot to unload. You will have 30 minutes to unload your vehicle.
After unloading, move your car to the C-lot for free parking during move-in. Students, families, and guests can walk or catch the bus back to their residence hall.
At check-in, you will receive keys and/ or fob that give you access to your community, building, room and mailbox. You are financially responsible for your keys/fobs. Lost or damaged keys create a security risk and must be reported immediately.
Arriving After Sept. 20?
Students moving in after Sept. 20 will need to check in at their community front desk during desk hours. Visit your building’s community page for desk location and hours.
Important Steps for Moving In
1.
Check your student email: We will send important information regarding move-in to your Western email.
2. Move-in Timeslot: Sign up for a move-in date & time in the MyHousing portal. Do your best to arrive to campus at the time you sign up for.
3. Follow our move-in directions: Driving directions to your check-in tent are in the Where to Arrive section. You may have a car line to wait in before you arrive at the check-in tent; only cars that have waited in line are allowed to receive their keys at the tent.
3. Get in the car queue: Waiting in the car line can be anywhere from 5 minutes to several hours, so come prepared with patience, water, snacks, and your cell phone. Have your government-issued photo ID your building/ room number ready for checking in.
4. Receive your car tag & keys at check-in tent: While in the car queue, a staff member will collect your official picture ID to check you in, then bring you your keys. You will also be given a car tag that allows you to park in the unload zone at your building. You will not need to get out of your car.
6. Unload car at building’s unload zone: Let our crew of volunteers help unload your car. Reminder: a car tag is required. For safety reasons, please leave one person with your car at all times.
7. Move car to long-term parking: Move your unloaded car to the C-lot and either walk or bus back to your residence hall.
8. Meet neighbors & attend community events: Don’t miss the first floor/ stack meeting, and dinner with your RA & fellow residents!
Move-in Tip
Reach out to your roommate(s) to find out when they’ll be arriving on campus!
What to Bring
Recommended Packing List
Approved appliances: electric kettles, coffee makers, blenders, electric fans, air purifiers, rice cookers, microwave ovens (up to 900w), mini-fridges (no larger than 4.5 cubic feet)
Clothing: plan for rain, snow, and sun; bring warm layers, sensible shoes, rainproof jacket with hood, warm coat, waterproof boots, scarf, hat and gloves
Emergency kit with rechargable flashlight
Environmentally friendly cleaning supplies
Flashlight: for shorter daylight hours in winter
Laundry: bag, hamper, detergent, hangers
Linens: extra-long twin sheets, bedding, towels
Medical: medications, pain reliver, tissue, antacid
Employment documents: Social Security card, passport, driver’s license, birth certificate
Personal technology: laptop/tablet/desktop computer, printer, fire-safe surge protector
Security items: fireproof lockbox/locking storage chest, laptop cable lock
Storage: food, dishware, clothing, outdoor gear
Toiletries: shower caddy, bathroom supplies
Included with Room
Regardless of room size (single, double triple), your room will come with: twin XL bedframe and mattress, desk and desk chair, clothing storage, blinds/ drapes, recycle bin, compost bucket, and trash can.
Prohibited Items
Firearms or weapons, flammable materials or explosives, hazardous or large appliances that are not UL approved, non-university beds and accessories, wireless routers, pets are prohibited but fishtanks under 10 gallons are allowed.
Resident Checkout Program
Before you buy, borrow for free! Western’s Resident Checkout Program offers on-campus residents free short and long-term rentals of residence hall essentials, games, cleaning supplies, and more.
Long Term Checkout
Our Residence Hall Reuse Program provides popular room essentials to students for free during the academic year! Stocked with donations, items are cleaned and tested before being reserved by incoming residents.
Available items include: mini fridges, microwaves, electric kettles, water filters, storage bins & racks, lighting, mirrors, and bikes!
Please note, due to limited stock and demand requirements, availablility is restricted and there no guarantee that items will be available to all residents. Reservation instructions will be sent via email to qualifying students.
Reserved items must be picked up during move-in. Designated pick up locations and times will be shared via email before move-in.
Short Term Checkout
All residence halls offer free 24-hour checkouts of household & recreational items. Short term items such as brooms/vacuums, moving carts, board games, tools, electronics, and sports equipment are available at your front desk.
Learn more:
Volunteer at Move-in
Be Part of Our Western Welcome Team!
Move-in early on Tuesday, September 16 for no extra cost
Meals provided on the days you train and work, prior to start of meal plans
Meet new people, make friends, and help others
Western Welcome Team volunteers will receive special arrival instructions for early move-in.
What is Western Welcome Team?
Be part of the move-in team that welcomes over 4,000 students to their new home. Volunteers will assist with traffic control, curbside unloading, and carrying stuff to student rooms. Arrive on Tuesday free of charge and receive meals. Shifts occur during peak times on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Sign Up Online!
The priority deadline to register for Western Welcome Team is Friday, August 1, 2025. Scan or click the QR code for details!
Learn more:
Communication & Technology
Shipping & Receiving Items
It may be practical to ship some of your belongings in advance. Use the official address format below:
Your Full Name
Hall Name + Room Number
516 High St, Bellingham WA 99225
Packages are accepted a maximum of 7 days prior to your arrival; any packages sent more than 7 days in advance may be returned to sender. You should always use trackable, insured options when mailing anything of value.
Official Communication
Your WWU email is the University’s official method of communication. Time-sensitive communication will be sent by email. You are accountable for all information sent to your student email. You may set up email forwarding to redirect your Western email to a personal email account.
Using Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is provided throughout the residence halls and is included in your room rate. Wireless routers are prohibited on our network. You can access the internet through WWU WiFi using your universal login. Wireless printers connected to the WWU network can be seen and possibly used by other students.
Tech Support
Need help? The Academic Technology and User Services (ATUS) Help Desk provides tech support for students, staff & faculty! Use the Help Desk portal to request assistance or browse helpful articles.
Residential Computer Labs
There are multiple 24-hour residence hall computer labs with printers located around campus.
Move-in Tip
Explore what to do around Bellingham before your family leaves!
North Campus
Check-in Tent
Buildings: Edens Edens North Higginson Mathes Nash
Northbound on I5
1. Take Exit 253 (Lakeway Dr)
2. Turn right onto King St
3. Turn right onto Lakeway Dr
4. Continue on Lakeway Dr for .5 miles
5. Bear right onto E Holly St
6. Turn left onto Billy Frank Jr St
7. Turn left onto East Chestnut St
8. Turn right onto Jersey St
9. Follow signs and staff to your building’s check-in area
Southbound on I5
1. Take Exit 253 (Lakeway Dr)
2. Turn right onto Lakeway Dr
3. Continue on Lakeway Dr for .3 miles
4. Bear right onto E Holly St
5. Turn left onto Billy Frank Jr St
6. Turn left onto East Chestnut St
7. Turn right onto Jersey St
8. Follow signs and staff to your building’s check-in area
Where to
Feel free to use your phone to navigate close to the city limits, follow our specific and navigation to campus. This will check-in tent, where you will be issued
Ridgeway
Buildings: Clark Glass
Take Exit 252 (Samish Way, W Wash
Turn left at stop sign onto Samish
Turn left at light onto S Samish Way
Turn left at light onto Bill McDonald
Continue on Bill McDonald Pkwy for
Follow signs and staff to your building’s
Take Exit 252 (Samish Way, W Wash
Turn right onto Samish Way
Turn left at next light onto Bill McDonald
Continue on Bill McDonald Pkwy for
Follow signs and staff to your building’s
to Arrive
navigate to Bellingham. Once you are specific directions for freeway exit will help you arrive at your building’s issued your keys and car tag.
South Campus
Check-in Tent
Buildings: Fairhaven Buchanan Towers Buchanan Towers East
Northbound on I5
1. Take Exit 252 (Samish Way, W Wash University)
Tent
Delta Alpha Kappa Beta Gamma
Wash University)
Way Way
McDonald Pkwy for 1 mile building’s check-in area
Wash University)
McDonald Pkwy for 1 mile
building’s check-in area
2. Turn left at stop sign onto Samish Way
3. Turn left at light onto S Samish Way
4. Turn left at light onto Bill McDonald Pkwy
5. Follow signs and staff to your building’s check-in area
Southbound on I5
1. Take Exit 253 (Lakeway Dr)
2. Turn right onto Samish Way
3. Turn left at light onto Bill McDonald Pkwy
4. Follow signs and staff to your building’s check-in area
Birnam Wood
Check-in
Birnam Wood residents will check in at the Birnam Wood desk
To arrive at Birnam Wood desk:
Use the same directions as above for South Campus, but follow signage to Birnam Wood.
Move-in Tip
Check your student email prior to move-in. We’ll be sending directions & instructions!
Campus Map
Check-in Tents
North Campus
Edens Hall (EH), Edens North (EN), Higginson (HG), Mathes (MA), Nash (NA)
Ridgeway Complex
Alma Clark Glass (CG), Alpha (RA), Beta (RB), Delta (RD), Gamma (RG), Kappa (RK), Omega (RO), Sigma (RS)
South Campus
Fairhaven (FX), Buchanan Towers & Buchanan Towers East (BT)
Birnam Wood
Birnam Wood (BW)
Keep an eye out for signs along the road that will help guide you to your check-in tent!
The North Campus check-in tent is located off campus down Billy Frank Jr in a lot on Jersey St.
BillMcDonaldPkwy
BillMcDonaldPkwy
Sustainable Move-in
Check out our waste mindfullness tips for having an environmentally friendly move-in! Learn more:
Getting Ready to Pack
Pack only what you need! Many students overpack and then realize they don’t need as much as they thought once moved into their residence hall.
Bring what you already have from home
Buy only what you think you’ll really need & use
Connect with your roommate on what you can share
Choose to reuse before you buy new (check out our reuse program on pg 5, get items from thrift stores)
Wait until you’ve tried your bed to buy a mattress topper
Know what campus resources will be available to you:
- Short-term checkout items (vacuums, brooms, etc.)
- Community space amenities (print labs, kitchens, etc.)
Help reduce Western’s footprint by limiting the waste you bring to campus!
Unpackage as much of your new purchases as you can at home and recycle according to local guidelines
Limit cardboard boxes brought to campus
Western’s Three Waste Streams
Get familiar with Western’s three waste streams: recycling, composting (food waste), and landfill.
Commingled recycling: all plastic, tin, glass, mixed paper & aluminum go into one drop-off container.
Cardboard recycling: for corrugated (thick) cardboard, collapse it and place it in the cardboard only dumpster.
Common Contaminants
Be aware of common contaminants! Styrofoam, plastic binding and plastic bags are landfill, so be sure to place these in the garbage.
