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 getting the room back 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 Fall Semester Instructions

FALL DEPARTURE SURVEY

Complete the 2024 Fall Semester Departure Survey to indicate your expected departure date and time. This information will be used by Housing Operations and Residence Life to assist with building closures.

CAMPUS MEAL PLAN

Dining Dollars in a student's fall semester Campus Meal Plan are available to use until 4:00 p.m. Sunday December 22.

Anchor Destination

Students With Same Room Assignment For Spring Semester

If you will be returning to the same room assignment for spring semester, you do NOT need to completely move out; you may leave personal belongings in the room. However, it is recommended that essentials (books, mobile devices, IDs, medications, etc.) and valuable items be taken home during the break. Please clean the room prior to departure - remove all trash and perishables, keep items off floors unless in plastic bins. Turn off all lights and unplug all electronics and devices (except for the MicroFridge, leave unit plugged in and turned on), and lock the door and window. Housing Operations staff will enter all rooms during the break to confirm.

If there is a vacancy in your room assignment, you may be assigned a new roommate for the spring semester. This may occur after you have left for the break. Please create a welcome space prior to departure. Move all furniture back to its original location, and place all personal belongings on your side. During the break, Housing Operations staff will enter any room with vacancy to clean and prepare for the new student.

Anchor Destination

STUDENTS WHO ARE LEAVING THE UNIVERSITY

If you do not plan to return to the University for spring semester, confirm that your 2024 spring semester Housing and Food Service (HFS) Contract has been cancelled. You will need to completely move out of your room assignment before 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 22. If any personal items remain in the room after that date, you may incur additional room and board charges.

Housing Operations will provide a Move Out Instructions Checklist (PDF file), or you can pick up a copy at the Housing Operations office or Commons Desk. Follow 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.

Courtesy Room Inspection

Each roommate may request a courtesy inspection at time of departure; this is encouraged for the last roommate to depart, when your space is empty. 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. Contact your Housing Operations Area Office or Resident Assistant (RA) for courtesy inspection during these times:

Monday December 16 - Wednesday December 18: times TBA, contact Housing Operations; times TBA, contact RA on duty
Thursday December 19 - Sunday December 22: times TBA, contact Housing Operations, times TBA, contact RA on duty

Anchor Destination

Students Who Are Changing Room Assignments

If you will be changing to a new room assignments for spring semester, you will need to completely move-out of your fall room assignment and officially check-out prior to 4:00 p.m. Sunday December 22. This process includes completing the Room Change form, removing all personal items, and checking out:

Students with a keyless lock: complete Room Change form (PDF file) and 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: complete the Room Change form (PDF file) and 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.

Your new room assignment for spring semester may NOT be available for you to move your items in prior to the end of fall semester. Students are currently assigned to rooms.

Storage Options

If you are interested in storage options, please contact the area Housing Operations office of your new spring assignment to discuss storage options. Use of storage is at your own risk; the University assumes no responsibility for damaged or lost items.

Housing Operations staff will be available during these times ONLY, they will NOT be available during evening hours.

Saturday December 14 - Sunday December 15: times TBA
Monday December 16 - Sunday December 22: times TBA

Storage Pick-up

You will be provided with dates and times for when items can be picked up from the storage location at beginning of the spring semester, which may be limited and not available during evenings or overnight. You will need to plan accordingly (for example, if you arrive at 10:00 p.m., bring linen to use that night if your linen is in storage).

Clean Room

Remove all personal belongings from your room.
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 for each student (the checklist is also available in the Housing Operations office and Commons Desk)

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.
The first roommate to depart may request a courtesy inspection. The last roommate to depart may also request a courtesy inspection. Contact your Housing Operations Area Office or Resident Assistant (RA) for courtesy inspection:
- Monday-Wednesday: times TBA, contact Housing Operations; times TBA, contact RA
- Thursday-Sunday: times TBA, contact Housing Operations; times TBA, contact RA
The courtesy inspection is not required.
A final room inspection that is more detailed will be conducted by Housing Operations AFTER all students have moved out. Any damages that are identified will be billed to the student's LionPATH account and will appear on the next month's billing statement.

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 Move Out Instructions Checklist form 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. A confirmation email will be sent to your Penn State email account to 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.
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

Campus Meal Plan

Dining Dollars in a student's Campus Meal Plan are available to use until:

Fall: 4:00 p.m. Sunday December 22
Spring: 4:00 p.m. Sunday May 11

Any remaining dining dollars in a student's account who does not return for either fall (from summer) or spring (from fall) will expire and cannot be refunded. Students who are returning for fall or spring and have an active Campus Meal Plan will have any remaining dining dollars from the previous semester added to their account. At the end of spring semester, all remaining dining dollars will expire and cannot be refunded.

Forwarding Address

Update your forwarding address at accounts.psu.edu. U.S. Postal Mail received will be forwarded, but any packages received will be returned to sender. Be sure to update your shipping address on websites that you use for online purchases.

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 the next month's billing statement.

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