5,500 students will move into KU housing next month. Tips for Lawrence move-in day
A flock of Jayhawks will descend on Lawrence next month when the University of Kansas welcomes nearly 5,500 new and returning students to on-campus housing.
The KU Housing & Residence Life webpage describes the process as “a whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and new beginnings.” It’s also an intricate logistical dance that requires careful planning and attention to detail.
“When it comes to move-in day, it can be pretty hectic,” said Ziv Cohen, a second-year computer science and cybersecurity double major.
“I think that people overcomplicate the day, though,” Cohen said. “Yes, there are a lot of cars due to the amount of people moving in, but for the most part, KU does a good job at moving things along.”
In anticipation of students’ return to campus, The Star asked students, parents and campus housing officials to share their tips for making the experience as hassle-free as possible.
This year, like last fall, when KU welcomed its largest ever freshman class, move-in day will actually play out over the course of three days — Aug. 12, 14 and 15.
Students who don’t already know which day their apartment, residence hall or scholarship hall is slated for move-in should check the housing webpage.
“Move in at KU is truly a campus event, with hundreds of staff and student volunteers stepping up to help students and their families when arriving to Lawrence,” said Sarah Waters, director of Housing & Residence Life. “We strongly encourage incoming students to follow the instructions we’ve shared.”
She said her department coordinates closely with the KU parking office and campus police to set specific traffic routes and arrival times for maximum efficiency. Instructions and arrival times are listed by building on the housing webpage.
Arrival times can vary significantly, even for students moving into the same building. For example, arrival times for students at Self Residence Hall on Aug. 14 run from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ellsworth Residence Hall will welcome students from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., depending on their room number.
Early arrivals
Select students are permitted to beat the crowds and move in early. According to the housing webpage, students participating in Panhellenic recruitment, band, Jayhawk JumpStart, or ROTC do not need to submit an early arrival request.
Early arrival requests can be submitted through students’ myKU portal, although the university warns they will only be approved for academic purposes. If approved, students will be charged $40 a night until their scheduled move-in day.
Move-in checklist
Before moving in, students are encouraged to update their housing registration information and review the move-in checklist on their myKU portal, which includes room assignments, roommate info, confirmed arrival time, mailing address and mailbox code.
To receive a room key, students must show their KU identification cards. Those who haven’t already should submit their photo to the KU Card Center and plan to pick up their IDs before arrival.
Move-in day tips
Housing staff will guide vehicles to the proper unloading zone, according to the housing webpage. Drivers must remain with their vehicles at all times while unloading. Additionally, trailers, U-Hauls and box trucks are not permitted.
The webpage notes that an “extremely limited number” of carts are available on move-in day, so students and their families are advised to bring their own carts or collapsible wagons.
Cohen, a student ambassador, said if students are moving from nearby, it’s usually a good idea to hold off on bringing non-essential items until after the organized chaos of official move-in days.
“If you’re coming from a ways away, I would overpack and then donate your extra items. There are many places you can donate in Lawrence,” Cohen said. “Make sure if you are bringing furniture, try to bring it separated and build it there. It makes it much easier when people aren’t lugging in huge items.”
Jennifer Grotpeter, who has helped her daughter move into on-campus housing each of the last two years, recommended bringing toiletries, paper towels and toilet paper from home.
“The Lawrence Target and Walmart look like desolate Soviet-era grocery stores — long lines to buy whatever is left during move-in,” Grotpeter said.
More tips for students
Other members of the KU subreddit page who responded to a question about move-in day offered their tips and tricks.
“You save a lot of time taking the stairs. It sucks but it sure beats waiting for an elevator,” one user posted anonymously.
Another user suggested that students pack in boxes or tote bags labeled with their name and room number to minimize the risk of losing items in the shuffle.
Prohibited items
Certain items are prohibited in all KU housing units:
command strips
halogen lamps
space heaters
artificial greenery
window or free-standing air conditioners
candles and incense
pets other than fish
Weapons or parts of weapons
amplifiers
hoverboards
tobacco products
alcohol and alcohol containers, including wine or shot glasses
Residence halls and scholarship halls also bar certain items that students are allowed to have in on-campus apartments:
wax warmers
air fryers
toasters
toaster ovens
hot plates
electric skillets
instant pots
rice cookers
any appliance with exposed heating elements, such as a George Foreman grill
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 1:26 PM.
