Congratulations on becoming a Wildcat! We can’t wait to see you when school opens! This summer, when you’re thinking about what to pack, you can use this guide so you know exactly what you can bring to campus, and what’s best to leave at home (your pet fish, for example).
Whether you’re in Emily McFadon Vincent House, John Hazen White House, Ford Hall, or Mem East or West, your dorm room will already have a bed, bureau, desk and straight chair, and mirror. You are allowed to bring your own desk chair, if you like. We’d love for you to express your personality through how you decorate your room, from minimalist to bohemian. And when it comes to packing up, here’s the list of what you may bring for your dorm room:
- comfy blankets
- your favorite pillow
- sheets (twin XL size) and pillowcases
- a mattress pad or cover
- towels
- a laundry bag (and detergent if you’re doing your own laundry; laundry service is available through E&R, The Campus Laundry, at eandrcleaners.com.)
- clothes/outerwear for the season ahead
- a bathing suit (sometimes we have pool parties!)
- a few “semi-formal” outfits for residential life dinners and other dressed-up events (reach out to your summer mentor if you have questions)
- your personal care products
- a study lamp
- a dorm-sized refrigerator, 2.0 cubic feet or smaller
- clothes hangers
- a cell phone and charger
- headphones
And here’s what to leave at home (because they’re a safety risk and we want you to be safe):
- televisions
- monitors larger than 32 inches in size
- space heaters
- electric blankets
- halogen lamps
- clothes iron
- furniture that’s not fire retardant or is too big
- battery-powered hoverboards, drones, electric bikes, or any lithium battery charged item
- any cooking/heating appliance (toasters, coffee makers, etc.)
You can bring wall decorations (hung with DormTape or Mounting Putty, both of which are for sale at the Campus Store). Many students bring flip-flops, a shampoo caddy, and a bathrobe for the walk to and from the shower. Feel free to bring a clock, speaker, personal computer/tablet, hair dryer, razor, hair straightener/curler, and a fan (box fans are provided in any dorms without central air conditioning). Computer monitors are limited in size to 32 inches. There are plenty of televisions located in common spaces of dorms, so no need to bring yours. You can bring circuit breaker-protected power strips, but that’s the only “extension cord” allowed.
Got it? If you have questions, don’t hesitate to email us. We want your room to feel like home!