Fall Move In Guide
Student Journey
We’re excited to welcome you to your UNC home! Whether you’re a new or returning student, this guide will walk you through everything you need to prepare for a smooth move-in. Keep an eye on your BearMail for campus updates and log in to your Housing Portal to check your room and roommate info anytime.
Before You Arrive
Get ready to begin your journey as a Bear by confirming your move-details, getting your Bear I.D., connecting with your roommate, packing, getting familiar with campus policies, and more!
Confirm Your Move-In Details
Move-in begins on Wednesday, August 20, and continues through the week.
You’ll receive an email with your specific move-in date and time.
- New and transfer students typically begin moving in on August 20
- Returning students typically begin on August 21
Need to Arrive Early?
We understand that travel plans and special circumstances don’t always line up with your assigned move-in time. If you need to arrive before Wednesday, August 20, please submit an Early Arrival Application in the Housing Portal.
Early move-in requests are considered on a case-by-case basis based on space, staffing, and logistics. Approved early arrivals may be subject to a daily fee.
Have questions? Reach out to the Housing & Residential Education team—we’re happy to help.
Get Your Bear I.D.
Your Bear I.D. is required for move-in and gives you access to your room, dining, BearPrint, and more.
You can pick up your card during New Student Orientation or request it by submitting a photo:
- Undergraduate students: Use the Student ID Questionnaire in your Admissions Portal
- Graduate/international students: Email the UNC Card Office
If you’re not attending Orientation in person, your card can be mailed to your permanent address.
Plan With Your Roommate
Here are a few things to talk about:
- Who’s bringing which shared items (microwave, fridge, etc.)
- Do you want to rent a fridge/microwave combo together?
- What’s your plan for decorating and organizing the space?
Before you arrive, take a few minutes to review the Student Code of Conduct and campus housing policies. These guidelines help create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone in the UNC community.
You’ll also receive reminders of key policies during your first floor meeting, but getting familiar ahead of time will help you feel more confident during your transition to campus life.
What to Bring—and What Not to
You’ll find a full list of approved and prohibited items at What to Bring but here are a few essentials.
Popular Items to Pack
- Twin bed linens and bathroom supplies
- School supplies, laptop, surge protector
- Storage bins, laundry basket, shower caddy
- Mini fridge (6 cu. ft. max), microwave (1250 watts max)
- Safe or lock box, alarm clock, bike lock
Leave These at Home
- Combustible decor, lampshades or light fixtures
- Modified or homemade light fixtures
- Halogen lamps or lava lamps
- Extension cords
- George Foreman grills/waffle irons/hot plates/air fryers
- Open-coil cooking devices
- Space heaters or air conditioners
- Toasters and toaster ovens
- Electric scooter
- Pets other than fish (with the exception of the Pet-friendly communities)
Need to rent a fridge or buy a bed set? Visit College Products for sustainable, space-saving options.
Protect Your Belongings with Renters Insurance
All students living in the on-campus should consider insurance to cover personal items (bikes, books, computers, electronics, etc.) that may be lost, damaged, and/or destroyed by accident, theft, or other means.
- The University does not cover students’ personal items
- Family homeowner policies may provide coverage
- Not all homeowner policies cover everything students bring to school
Apps and Policies
Review Our Policies
- Familiarize yourself with the policies on campus to help ensure your time on-campus is a successful experience
- Read the Student Code of Conduct and other campus policies, rules and regulations
- Review your Lease Agreement and the Housing & Residential Education Handbook.
Download These Helpful Apps
- My UNC: Academic and housing tools
- Grubhub: Order ahead from campus dining
- Rave Guardian: Campus safety alerts
Pick Your Meal Plan
How do I sign up?
You can find step-by-step instructions by visiting our Meal Plans page. If you need any assistance, reach out to the dining team!
Are all first-year students who live on campus required to have a meal plan?
Yes! Visit our Meal Plans page to learn more and explore your options.
Order A Parking Permit
Order a parking pass, if needed, at UNC Parking. All parking areas on the UNC Campus require an official UNC parking permit. Once purchased, the cost of the permit will be applied to your student bill. After you place the order for your permit, a temporary permit will be emailed to you. Please display this temporary permit until your permanent permit arrives in the mail. If your permit does not arrive within three weeks, please contact parkingservices@unco.edu.
Move-In Day: What to Expect
Our residential halls are broken into three neighborhoods. These neighborhoods and the Arlington Park Apartments and houses feature a front-desk operation, study rooms, social lounges and community engagement centers. You have access to these things using your Bear I.D. Card to get into the buildings.
Getting Here
If you are flying to Denver, you will want to fly into Denver International Airport (DIA). Greeley is about an hour northeast of DIA. You are responsible for your own transportation to get to the UNC Campus. Shuttle service from DIA to the UNC Campus in Greeley is available through several companies. All transportation services are located on Level 5 outside the main terminal of DIA. Most shuttles offer door-to-door service to the residence halls, upon request. Reservations are required for shuttles, and you will want to specify that your drop-off location will be North Hall on the UNC Campus. You should make reservations ahead of time and use reservation zip code 80639.
Directions, campus maps and virtual tours can be found on the UNC Campus Map. Please view this parking map, which shows the proximity of I and J lots to North Hall.
Where to Check In
Go to your neighborhood’s designated check-in location.
Once you’re there you’ll:
- Complete a room inventory
- Pick up your room key or encode your Bear I.D. for room access
Staff and volunteers will help guide you through the process.
Moving Help
- Dollies and carts will be available on Central and West Campus
- Volunteers will assist in getting your items to your room
- Elevators are available in Brown, Harrison, Lawrenson, North, South, and Turner Halls
- Heads-up! Some buildings have stairs only or service-only elevators.
Community Arrival and Check In
When you arrive for your specific check-in time, begin by visiting your check-in location to receive directions for your room inventory. Once you complete your room inventory, you will be able to receive a key for your room and/or encode your Bear I.D. for your room.
Building Check-Ins
- You will proceed from J Lot toward Lawrenson Hall.
- You will then check-in with Lawrenson Hall staff at the front desk. Don’t forget your Bear ID and Bear Number!
- Lawrenson Hall staff will escort you to your room.
- You will complete the room condition report of your space.
- You then can move in!
- You will proceed from J Lot and enter South Hall from the south main entrance or from I Lot and enter South Hall from the north main entrance
- You will check-in with South Hall staff at the front desk. Don’t forget your Bear ID and Bear Number!
- South Hall staff will escort you to your room.
- You will complete the room condition report of your space.
- You then can move in!
- You will come in from east entrance from I Lot or the west courtyard.
- You will check-in with North Hall staff at the front desk. Don’t forget your Bear ID and Bear Number!
- North Hall staff will escort you to your room.
- You will complete the room condition report of your space.
- You then can move in!
- You will check-in at the front desk in Building 1 of Arlington Park Apartments. Don’t forget your Bear ID and Bear Number!
- Arlington Park staff will escort you to your room.
- You will complete the room condition report of your space.
- You then can move in!
- You will proceed from J Lot and check-in at the front desk with Harrison Hall staff inside Harrison Hall.
- Don’t forget your Bear ID and Bear Number!
- Harrison Hall staff will escort you to your room,
- You will complete the room condition report of your space.
- You then can move in!
- You will proceed from J Lot and check-in at the front desk with Turner Hall staff inside Turner Hall.
- Don’t forget your Bear ID and Bear Number!
- Turner Hall staff will escort you to your room,
- You will complete the room condition report of your space.
- You then can move in!
- You will come in from east entrance from Q Lot or the west entrance from T Lot.
- You will check-in with one of the Mesa Neighborhood staff at the Wiebking Hall Front Desk. Don’t forget your Bear ID and Bear Number!
- Mesa Neighborhood staff will escort you to your room.
- You will complete the room condition report of your space.
- You then can move in!
Once You’re Settled
Get support from campus resources, start building your community, and more!
Day to Day
Tech and Internet
UNC offers both wired and wireless internet in the residence halls:
- For Wi-Fi, connect to UNC-STUDENT using your student login
- For the most reliable connection, bring an ethernet cord.
- Learn more at IM&T Support or call 970-351-4357
Avoid wireless printers—they don’t connect well to the network. Instead, use BearPrint stations throughout campus.
Mail & Packages: Sending It Right
Each residence hall has its own mailing address. Be sure to use the correct hall address (found here) and do not include “UNC” or “University of Northern Colorado” in the address to avoid delays.
Mail delivery starts AFTER August 15—please don’t schedule package deliveries before then. You’ll get a notification when your package is ready for pickup at the front desk.
Laundry: What You Need to Know
All UNC residence halls are equipped with high-efficiency washers and dryers. Use liquid detergent (not pods) for best results.
Check machine availability or monitor your load using the LaundryView system.
Laundry is included in your housing fees—no quarters or swipe cards needed.
Something Not Working? We’ve Got You.
If something breaks or needs attention in your room, just fill out a quick Work Request. Our maintenance team will take it from there and keep you updated by email. Please be patient as some repairs take time.
Start Building Your On-Campus Community
Mesa Neighborhood
Belford, Bond, Brown, Dickeson, Gordon, Luján, Wiebking, Arlington Park
Ridge Neighborhood
Lawrenson, North, South
Basin Neighborhood
Harrison, Turner
You’ll be supported by a full team of student and professional staff—including Resident Assistants (RAs), Community Assistants (CAs), Assistant Residential Coordinators (ARCs), and live-in Residential Coordinators (RCs). They’re here to help you connect, answer questions, and build a strong, welcoming community.
Some halls also feature Faculty in Residence and Coaches in Residence who host events, mentor students, and bring leadership and learning into the spaces where you live.
Want to make a difference where you live?
Get involved with the Residence Hall Association (RHA)—a student-led group that plans events, advocates for the needs of residents, and gives you a voice in campus housing. It’s a great way to meet others, build leadership skills, and shape the on-campus experience. Keep an eye out for welcome week events and first meetings in your hall.
Safety & Security
UNC is committed to student safety. Here are a few reminders:
- Program UNC Police: 970-351-2245 (for emergencies on campus)
- Always lock your room and never prop exterior doors open
- Report lost Bear I.D.s immediately to the Card Office
- If you see something suspicious, contact staff or UNC PD right away
- Use the Rave Guardian App to text the police or set safety timers while walking across campus.
Supporting Your Student Through Move-In: For Families & Supporters
During move-in, your student will complete the check-in process, room inventory, and key pickup themselves. As a reminder, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) grants students full rights over their education records—including housing—once they turn 18 or begin college.
We know this is a big transition. You might feel proud, nervous, emotional—or all of the above. That’s completely normal.
Here are a few things to think about as you support your student:
- How long you’ll stay on move-in day
- What kind of goodbye feels meaningful and supportive
- How you’ll care for yourself as you navigate this change
We’re so glad you’re part of the Bear community. Your student has a strong support system here—and you do too.
Explore Greeley—Starting Right Here on Campus
You don’t have to go far to find what you need—UNC’s campus is full of helpful services to support your daily life, all just steps from your residence hall.
Knowing where to go for a haircut, a snack run, or a night out will help you feel right at home.
- Mana Jo’s Hair Salon
- Bear Pantry
- Bookstore and ATMs
Target, Walmart, King Soopers, Safeway, Walgreens and CVS for prescriptions and essentials
- Friday Fest in downtown Greeley
- Greeley Farmers’ Market
- Poudre River Trail for biking and walks
- The Kress Cinema for indie films and events