Moving In & Moving Out

Moving In

WE ARE getting ready for Arrival, are you?

Visit our Arrival website to learn more about the Arrival process, including the check-in schedule, check-in locations, and checklists.

Moving Out

It's exciting to plan your move back home! To expedite moving out, it is recommended that students start packing their personal items BEFORE their planned departure (especially if someone is picking them up, to reduce time cars are parked on campus).

Each student living in University Housing is responsible for the condition of that room at the time of check-out. Roommates need to develop a plan together for cleaning and returning the room, suite, or apartment to its original, move-in state. Cleaning supplies and vacuum cleaners are available at each Commons Desk. All students must check out (by returning the room key to the Commons Desk) and leave University Housing by the day after their last final examination.

Fall semester: University housing closes at 4:00 p.m. on the day following the last scheduled examination for official University courses, as announced by the University Registrar.
Spring semester: University housing closes at 4:00 p.m. either one (1) or two (2) days following the last schedule examination for official University courses, as announced by the University Registrar.
Summer Session: University housing closes at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, the day following the last scheduled examination for official University courses, as announced by the University Registrar.
Early Building Closures: Due to summer housing needs and construction projects, several residence halls will close a day earlier than the rest of campus. Students assigned to those buildings will be notified in advance. These buildings are used for Maymester housing, which begins on Sunday, the same day as spring closedown. Time is required to clean the building for use.
Withdrawals: If a student withdraws from the University, the student must officially check-out within 24 hours.

Move-Out Instructions

2024 Spring Semester: Students may move out on a date/time that is convenient for them; students living in East Housing Area must vacate prior to 4:00 p.m. ET Saturday, May 4. Students living in other areas must vacate prior to 4:00 p.m. ET Sunday, May 5.

Housing Operations will provide each room a Move-Out Instructions Checklist (see below for a PDF file or pick up a copy at the Housing Operations office), or you can pick up a copy at the Housing Operations office or Commons Desk. ollow these instructions to officially move out of University Housing. Adhering to these instructions will avoid damage and cleaning charges being applied to your LionPATH account.

Room Keys

Students with a keyless lock: complete the Self Check-Out function in eLiving once you have moved out. Failure to complete this action may result in a $25.00 administrative fee for failing to follow checkout instructions billed to your LionPATH account.
Students with a physical room key: return your room key to the Commons Desk Operations to avoid a core change being processed and billed to your LionPATH account. You will receive a confirmation email that your room key has been returned.

Room Inspection

Each roommate may request an inspection at time of departure; inspection is required for the last roommate to depart when your space is empty. Roommates need to develop a plan for cleaning and returning room, suite, or apartment to its original, move-in state. Adhering to these instructions will help avoid damage and cleaning charges being applied to the student's LionPATH account. Regardless of the first or last resident to move out, students are responsible for charges incurred from damages or cleaning, which may be assessed by Housing during a final inspection AFTER move-out; not completed during courtesy inspection. Inspections are required for the last roommate to depart. Contact your Housing Operations Area Office or Resident Assistant (RA) for an inspection during these times:

April 27 - 28: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Housing)
April 29 - May 3: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.(Housing); 4:00 p.m. - 800 p.m. (RA)
May 4 - 5: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Housing or RA)

Departing earlier or later? We can inspect even if room is not empty.

Move-Out Instruction Checklists (PDF):

Clean Room

Remove all personal belongings from your room.
- Items for donation can be placed in the Goodwill area within your residence hall from April 19 to May 5. If you are unsure of this location, ask your RA for details.
Remove all decorations, stickers, and tape/putty from surfaces.
Clean both sides of room entrance door and closet/wardrobe doors.
Clean the furniture, including the interiors of drawers, shelves, etc.
Sweep/vacuum the floor.
Windows should be closed and locked, and curtains/blinds kept open.

Refrigerator/freezer/microwave

Clean the entire unit inside and out.
Defrost the refrigerator/freezer, but keep the unit plugged in and turned on.

*Most common damage charge incurred.

Furniture

Return furniture to its original location.
Any Penn State-owned items that were placed in storage must be returned to the room (assembled bed frames, mattresses, desk chairs, desk lamps, etc.).

Clean Bathroom & Kitchen (If Applicable)

Remove all personal belongings (check vanity, cabinets, and drawers).
Clean shower, vanity (mirror, sink, cabinet), toilet and stall areas.
Clean countertops, stove, and oven.
Sweep the floor.

Move-Out Instructions Checklist and Room Inspection

A Move-Out Instructions Checklist form will be provided to each room (the checklist is also available in the Housing Operations office)

All roommates must complete the checklist of items on the checkout form for the side of room occupied, indicate which side of the room they occupied, and sign and date the form.
Inspections required for last roommate to depart. The first roommate to depart may also request inspection. Contact your Housing Area or RA for an inspection:
- April 27 & April 28: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Housing)
- April 29 - May 3: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Housing), 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (RA)
- May 4 & May 5: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Housing or RA)
- Departing earlier or later? We can inspect even if room is not empty.
A final room inspection that is more detailed will be conducted by Housing Operations AFTER all students have moved out; no charges assessed during move-out inspection. Any damage or cleaning charges that are identified will be billed to the student's LionPATH account and will appear on the June billing statement. Charges are split amongst roommates unless responsibility is claimed.

When you are ready to leave

Remove all trash to the designated area - do not leave trash in hallways or fill bathroom trashcans

Turn off all lights

Lock and secure your door

Have a physical room key?
Return room key (in the envelope provided under your door) and completed Move-Out Instructions Checklist form (if last roommate to depart) to the Commons Desk. If the Commons Desk is closed, place envelope in the key depository box. Room key should NOT be placed in the U.S. mail slot, left with a friend, or left in in the room. If the assigned room key is not returned to the Commons Desk within 24 hours after student's last final exam, a core change will be processed and the student's LionPATH account will be charged.
Have a wireless room key?
Complete the Self-Checkout feature in eLiving. Failure to complete this action may result in a $25 administrative fee for failing to follow checkout instructions

***An email will be sent to your Penn State email account that will confirm that you are officially checked out and indicate the status of your room key (returned/not returned). It is recommended that you wait to leave campus until you receive the email. Retain the email in case there are any questions about your room key status.

Bikes

Pick up your bike from a rack or storage to return home for the summer or register to ride on campus.

Questions

Please check with Housing Operations or your RA if you have any questions about checkout. Any charges incurred from damages or for additional cleaning will be assessed by Housing Operations after checkout and will be billed to your LionPATH account and appear on your June billing statement.

Goodwill Donations

Donations will be accepted April 19 - May 5 and collection bins will be available in the lobbies of all residence halls. Students are encouraged to drop off gently used and unwanted clothing, small household, and decorative items. Large furniture items will not be accepted. Unexpired food items may also be dropped off and will be distributed to local food pantries.

Goodwill will collect and transport donations to its main sorting site after students move out, and then items will be distributed to Goodwill locations across a 15-county region to be sold.

Donations are a sustainable way for students to help protect the environment by keeping items out of landfills.

Need a place to store your stuff?

The University has partnered with Storage Squad to provide a storage and shipping solution for students.

Click to Learn More about Storage Squad