What to Bring
For residence halls and apartments
Think about how you might want to personalize your space and talk with roommates in advance to decide what shared items you will each bring such as large items or certain electronics.
Don’t bring too much and think sustainably. Leave yourself room to assess, add, and edit once you’ve got your essentials in place. Try packing with reusable bins or laundry baskets to reduce waste and consider making a list of items to purchase once you've settled in to streamline your move.
What's in your room
✔ Extra-long twin bed (80 inches)
Different in Radius and Keeler (see Bedding section below).
✔ Closet or wardrobe and dresser
✔ Desk and chair
✔ TV and internet connections
Different in Radius and Pioneer. Cables are not provided, so plan to bring your own (see Tech section below).
✔ Window coverings (blinds or drapes)
✔ Smoke detectors
✔ Trash and recycling containers
Essentials and suggestions
Consider Bringing
- Pillows, pillow cases
- Comforter and blanket
- Sheet set and mattress pad/topper
- Residence Halls, Wilkins & Yudof Apartments: Twin XL
- Radius Apartments: Private room - standard full size; shared room - standard twin
- Keeler Apartments: Standard full
Bed configuration
Beds can be adjusted for extra storage space (up to 27 inches), bunked or lofted. Lofted beds provide 55 inches of space below the bed.
Your online assignment guide will show whether the beds in your room are lofted, bunked, or un-lofted. There are a few residence hall rooms that cannot be altered due to space limitations or that will need to be reset before moving out.
Consider Bringing
- Towels
- Washcloths
- Bathrobe
- Shower shoes
- Shower caddy
- Toiletries (e.g. toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, body soap, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, brushes/combs, etc.)
- Hairdryer and other styling tools
Consider Bringing
- Computer, laptop, tablet
- Ethernet cord (14-foot minimum length)
- Mobile phone
- Headphones
- Charging cords, cables, and adapters
- Smart tv and coax cable
- Gaming console
- UL-listed extension cords/surge protectors
- Alarm clock
What NOT to Bring
WiFi router: Each resident has high-speed internet access, including one wired connection in their room and access to WiFi. Using your own router to expand the WiFi network is a violation of University policy and reduces the overall quality of WiFi for you and your neighbors.
Personal printer: Printers can take up a lot of space and wifi printers can interrupt wireless service for you and your neighbors. Instead, print to the Tech Lounge in your building (which you can do right from your room).
TV set-top box: UMN-TV provides more than 120 channels of digital content over coax cable and over 200 channels streaming online, including HBO Now. TV set-top boxes are not required to view coax content on your TV. UMN-TV can be streamed on computers, Roku, and iOS/Android devices with the Xfinity Stream app.
Consider Bringing
- Personal prescriptions
- Glasses and contact lens supplies
- Preferred over-the-counter medications
- First aid kit
- Reusable face coverings/masks
- Hand sanitizer
- Thermometer
- Tissues
- Sunscreen
Health Advocates
HAs are student volunteers trained by Boynton Health professionals to help you with health questions and concerns. They can connect you with campus resources and provide a variety of health items like cough drops, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, bandages, condoms, and pregnancy tests.
Consider Bringing
- Laundry basket/bag
- High-Efficiency detergent (detergent pods are not recommended)
- Dryer sheets and fabric softener
- Clothes hangers
- Collapsible drying rack
- Clothes iron, ironing board/mat
- Cleaning supplies
- Trash bags for the provided trashcan (11-13 gallon bags recommended)
What do I clean?
Our staff maintains common areas for residents, but students are responsible for cleaning their own rooms, including rooms with private bathrooms.
Cleaning equipment like vacuums, brooms, dustpans, and buckets are available for checkout at your building's Information Desk. Cleaning solutions or other chemicals are not provided.
Consider Bringing
- Reusable bowl, plate, cup/mug, and utensils
- Reusable food-storage containers
- Reusable water bottle and travel mug
- Drip coffee/espresso maker, electric kettle
- Mini Blender
- Air popcorn maker
friDges & microwaves
Students in residence halls may purchase their own microwave (700 watts or less) and/or refrigerator (4.3 cubic feet or less). You may purchase a small refrigerator and/or microwave that meet Housing size requirements on campus. University Bookstores will accept orders while supplies last and notify you with pick up information prior to move-in.
Refrigerators and microwaves are provided in Keeler, Radius, and Yudof apartments. Wilkins provides refrigerators but microwaves are only provided in efficiency singles.
Community Kitchens
All buildings have community kitchen areas with a stovetop, oven, microwaves, sink, and counter space. Cooking equipment is available to check out from your building's Information Desk.
Prohibited Appliances
Appliances with open heating elements are not allowed in residence halls, including electric grills and all-in-one makers (e.g. waffle iron, griddle, panini/pizza/quesadilla maker, etc.), toaster/toaster oven, hotplate, oil popcorn maker, air fryer, slow cooker, rice cooker, pressure cooker, etc.
Note: If you are assigned to an apartment, you may bring these items for use in the kitchen area.
Consider Bringing
- Umbrella
- Winter coat, hat, gloves
- Wool socks
- Waterproof/resistant shoes or boots
Pro tip: Layers
You'll experience all the seasons in Minnesota. Plan for clothing items you can easily layer as it gets colder (and shed when you're warm inside).
Outdoor Gear
You will have limited space in your room for things like skiing, snowboarding, or equipment for other sports or outdoor activities. There may be options to check out gear right on campus, either from the Information Desk or University Recreation and Wellness Gear Rentals.
Consider Bringing
- Academic supplies (backpack, pens, highlighters, notebooks, etc.)
- Photo ID, U Card, credit/debit card, insurance cards, emergency contact information
- Desk/bedside lamps with LED or CFL light bulbs
- Fan (for air circulation and white noise)
- Room decor (string lights, area rugs, art, throw pillows)
- Board games, books, or other entertainment (some are available to check out at your Information Desk!)
- Yoga mat or other wellness/workout items
- Bike, helmet, headlight, and U bike lock
Plan ahead
When planning decorations for your room, be mindful to avoid adhesives that may damage walls and other surfaces. The adhesive backing on LED light stips has shown to significantly damage walls and other surfaces.
During move out, all personal items and adhesive residues must be removed. You may be charged if surfaces are damaged.
Prohibited Items
🚫 Appliances with open heating elements are not allowed in residence halls, including electric grills, toasters, hotplates. See "Kitchen & Appliances" above for more.
🚫 Alcohol or alcohol containers
🚫 Illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, and hookahs
🚫 Tobacco and electronic cigarettes (may be stored but not used on campus)
🚫 Firearms, weapons, fireworks/explosives
🚫 Candles, incense, and electric fireplace
🚫 Pets (fish in up to a 10 gallon tank are permitted)
🚫 Wireless routers
🚫 Air conditioners
🚫 Space heaters and electric dryers
🚫 Halogen lamps
🚫 Hoverboards
University ReUse
The ReUse Program's Pack & Give Back is aimed at reducing waste generated by students moving at the beginning and end of each semester. When students move out in the spring, they are encouraged to donate things they no longer need.
In the fall many items from Pack & Give Back are available in the Free Store, held for two weeks at the beginning of the semester. Check out the Free Store before purchasing new items such as futons, furniture and refrigerators.
Renter's Insurance
The University does not provide insurance for your personal property. Remember to check your or your family's homeowner’s insurance information to see if your personal items are covered. If not, you may want to speak with your provider about purchasing renter’s insurance.