In accordance with Pennsylvania law, all students living in university housing must submit their meningitis information. We strongly recommend completing this requirement as early as possible, before arriving on campus. Submitting your form in advance helps ensure a smooth and efficient move-in process. Please note that we cannot issue your keys until the form is completed.
Moving-In
Quick Links
Settle In, Start Fresh!
Move-in day is the first big step in your PennWest journey! It’s an exciting milestone filled with new faces, big emotions, and plenty of anticipation. Whether you’re feeling thrilled, nervous, or somewhere in between, we’re here to make your arrival as easy and comfortable as possible. From meeting your roommates to discovering your residence hall, it’s the beginning of something special.
Weather delays, traffic, or unexpected slowdowns can happen, so we encourage you to stay patient and flexible throughout the day. If you arrive before your roommate(s), we recommend holding off on rearranging the space until everyone has arrived. It’s best to work together to decide how the room will be set up- unless, of course, you've already discussed and agreed on a plan beforehand.
Pre-Move-In To-Do List
All students will receive an email with instructions on how to submit a photo for their OneCard. You must submit a headshot photo for your ID to be created which will be available for you when you arrive at move-in.
New incoming students will pick up their OneCard at their designated move-in check-in location.
Returning students should bring their existing OneCard with them.
Below is a brief, not exhaustive, list of items to consider when packing for PennWest. Don’t forget to talk with your roommate(s) about what they intend to bring. Too much stuff can easily crowd a room!
What to Bring
- Refrigerator (4.5 cu. ft. max – 1 per resident)
- Microwave (700-watt max) – 1 per bedroom
- Bedding
- Curtains for your bedroom (36” windows)
- LED desk lamp or other lights (electric lamps and string lights must be UL approved)
- Desk supplies (stapler, pens/pencils, calculator, tape, etc.)
- Dolly for moving in (limited carts available in the residence halls at move-in)
- First-aid kit (band-aids, topical antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, etc.)
- Flashlight and batteries
- Hair dryer
- Laundry bag, detergent, fabrc softner
- Download Laundry App: CleanPay Mobile
- Personal computer and printer (not required)
- Power strip (with 15-amp circuit breaker and built-in surge protector)
- Prescribed and over-the-counter medications
- Season-appropriate clothing (umbrella, raincoat, boots, hat, gloves,etc.)
- Storage boxes or totes
- Key ring or lanyard
- Toiletries (toothpaste, brush, shampoo, soap, etc.)
- Towels and washcloths
- Shower curtains
- If you bring a car to campus, pack a snow shovel and a snow brush
- Cleaning supplies to maintain your room throughout the year
Refer to the Residence Life and Housing Handbook for a more comprehensive list for your campus specific information. You can find the most recent version of the handbook on the PennWest Housing web page.
What Not to Bring
- Halogen lamps
- Illegal drugs/ paraphernalia (though approved medicinally in several states, marijuana is still illegal in the state of Pennsylvania)
- Candles/candle warmers/incense are not permitted in any residence hall (even for decorative purposes)
- Alcohol including empty alcohol containers
- Ceiling fans
- All smoking devices (smoking is prohibited in student housing, including vapes)
- Extension cords
- LED rope lights (while the lights are not prohibited themselves, fastening them to the wall with adhesive will damage paint, leading to wall damage)
- All cooking/brewing devices unless listed as approved in the Residence Life and Housing Handbook
- Non-university provided beds
- Command Hooks and Strips, nails, screws, tacks, glue, masking tape, or other items designed to hang items from the walls or ceilings that might damage the surface
- No pets, except fish (10-gallon tank or less)
- For Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals please register them witht the office for Students with Disabilities prior to bringing them to campus
- Space heaters
- Wireless routers and printers (they interfere with the university's wireless internet system)
Fall 2026 Move-In Schedules
We can’t wait to welcome you, whether you're joining us for the first time or returning to your home away from home. Mark your calendars and get ready for the Fall 2026 Move-In Schedule!.
New Incoming Students
Friday, August 21, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Last Name A-M, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Last Name N-Z, 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Returning Students
Saturday, August 22, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 23, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Check out our Welcome Weekend page for campus-specific events happening during move-in weekend.
Move-In Maps
Updated maps coming soon.
Fall Early Arrivals
If you are in a program that moves in early (e.g., Fall Sports, BASIS, Marching Band), please contact your program directly for move in details.
If you are not part of a designated early arrival group but need to move in early, you may submit an individual early arrival request. The application will be available in your Housing & Dining portal from Monday, July 13 through Wednesday, August 19.
A nightly fee of $50 may apply. Approval is not guaranteed and is based on availability and reason for the request.
The first day international students may begin arriving to campus with approval from the Residence Life and Housing Office is Monday, August 17. International early arrivals are scheduled between Monday, August 17 through Sunday, August 23 only. Staff availability for weekend arrivals cannot be guaranteed, and all check-ins, regardless of day or time, must be scheduled and confirmed in advance. International Early arrivals should complete the individual early arrival request, so housing is aware when you are planning to arrive.
All times listed are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
- International early arrivals will only be permitted between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
EDT.
- Please avoid planning travel that would result in arrival before or after these hours.
- All international earlyarrivals must be scheduled in advance, including those during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.).
- International early arrivals outside of business hours (after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays or on weekends) must schedule an appointment with their campus Residence Life and Housing Office for check-in between 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. EDT. Weekend appointments are limited and not guaranteed.
- First-year international students: Please coordinate your arrival and any linen requests with the International Education Office at internationaled@pennwest.edu and also complete an early arrival request form if you plan to arrive outside the scheduled Move-in days
- Returning early international students arriving as part of an early arrival group (athletics, student organizations, etc.): Please follow your group’s check-in process and arrive during their scheduled times. If you are unable to arrive at your group’s scheduled time (e.g., due to flight schedules), you must complete an Individual Early Arrival Request Form.
- Individual returning early international students not affiliated with a group: You must complete the early arrival request form for approval. Staff will be in touch to review and you must schedule your arrival directly with your campus Residence Life and Housing Office.
We strongly encourage international students to finalize their travel plans in coordination with these guidelines to ensure a smooth arrival experience.
TENTATIVE Spring 2027Move-In Schedules
We can’t wait to welcome you, whether you're joining us for the first time or returning to your home away from home. Mark your calendars and get ready for the Spring 2027 Move-In Schedule!.
New Incoming Students
On Campus: Sunday, January 17 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at your assigned residence
hall.
Reinhard Villages: Sunday, January 17 from 9:00a.m. – 6:00p.m. at the Reinhard Community Center.
Returning Students
Students returning from winter break that resided on campus in the fall may begin to return at 12:00PM on Sunday, January 17.
Spring Early Arrivals
If you are in a program that moves in early (e.g., Spring Sports or BASIS), please contact your program directly for move in details.
If you are not part of a designated early arrival group but need to move in early, you may submit an individual early arrival request. The application will be available in your Housing & Dining portal from Friday, December 4 through January 15.
A nightly fee of $50 may apply. Approval is not guaranteed and is based on availability and reason for the request.
The first day international students may begin arriving to campus with approval from the Residence Life and Housing Office, is January 11, 2026. International early arrivals are scheduled between January 11 through January 15 only. Staff availability for weekend arrivals cannot be guaranteed, and all check-ins, regardless of day or time, must be scheduled and confirmed in advance.
All times listed are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
- International Early Arrivals will only be permitted between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. EDT.
- Please avoid planning travel that would result in arrival before or after these hours.
- All international early arrivals must be scheduled in advance, including those during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.).
- International Early Arrivals outside of business hours (after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays or on weekends) must schedule an appointment with their campus Residence Life and Housing Office for check-in between 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. EDT. Weekend appointments are limited and not guaranteed.
- First-year international students: First-year international students: Please coordinate your arrival with the International Education Office at internationaled@pennwest.edu and also complete an early arrival request form if you plan to arrive outside the scheduled Move-in days.
- Returning early international students arriving as part of an early arrival group (athletics, student organizations, etc.): Please follow your group’s check-in process and arrive during their scheduled times. If you are unable to arrive at your group’s scheduled time (e.g., due to flight schedules), you must complete an Individual Early Arrival Request Form
- Individual returning early international students not affiliated with a group: You must complete the early arrival request form for approval. Staff will be in touch to review and schedule your arrival directly with your campus Residence Life and Housing Office.
We strongly encourage international students to finalize their travel plans in coordination with these guidelines to ensure a smooth arrival experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall: No, you are not required, but we strongly recommend arriving on this date. There are events planned specifically for new students during Welcome Weekend. Additionally, we have many volunteers to assist you in bringing your items in on New Incoming Student Move-In Day.
Spring: No, you are not required to arrive on this date; however, we strongly encourage it. The University is closed on Monday for MLK Day, and staffing will be limited.
Fall: New transfer students may arrive on New Incoming Student Move-In Day, if they are planning to participate in Welcome Weekend.
Spring: New transfer students may arrive on New Incoming Student Move-In Day.
University carts are limited so we recommend bringing dollies or carts to help with your move-in experience.
As noted in your housing contract, PennWest does not assume any financial responsibility for students' personal property or any large-scale unintentional damage that may occur to housing property. We strongly encourage residents to obtain renters insurance prior to moving on campus.
For more information, please check out our Campus Parking page.
Fall: Meal plans will begin with brunch on Sunday, August 23; however, new incoming students participating in Welcome Weekend and arriving on Friday, August 21, will eat at the open dining facilities while attending the orientation program.
Spring:Meal plans will tentatively begin with brunch on January 17, 2027.