We’re so excited to welcome you to campus! A few residents of approved student groups, including Housing student employees, may receive an earlier or different move-in date to participate in required trainings and orientation activities or for scheduling conflicts.
Note: If your move-in date is August 25-August 27, visit our moving & breaks page for specific details on your move-in process.
Your Move-In Day
A specific move-in date and time was assigned to you in My UW Housing when you received your room assignment information. Assigned days/times allow us to spread out activity evenly to ensure available resources and parking. Depending on the availability of open slots, if you’d like to request a change to your assigned move-in date/time because it does not fit your schedule, log into My UW Housing to select a new one up to two days before your assigned move-in date.
What to Bring
- Wiscard or a valid government-issued photo ID (to check-in and receive your room key)
- Printed parking permit (available to download in the “Move-In” section of My UW Housing)
- Bedsheets (twin XL, twin with extra deep corners, or jersey sheets)
- Blankets and pillows
- Water bottle
- Hand cart or moving Dollie (not required, but helpful in the moving process)
- Soft rubber mallet (not required, but helpful to assist with lofting)
- See what furnishings are provided and what Bucky would bring for additional items to bring, and items that are not allowed (we strongly suggest not over-packing)
Shipping Packages
If necessary, residents with a room assignment can ship packages prior to their move-in date for pick-up. Due to storage space constraints, do not ship large items, and do not have packages delivered prior to the week you move in.
All US Mail and packages are received and distributed by your hall desk. Mail is placed in your mailbox. Packages are logged, placed in storage, and an email is sent to your @wisc.edu account notifying you a package is available for pickup. You must have your Wiscard (or another form of ID) with you to receive your package, but you do not need to print out the email notification. To avoid confusion and delays, mail should be addressed with:
Full preferred name (first and last)
Room number, residence hall house, residence hall name (available in My UW Housing)
Residence hall street address (available on individual hall pages)
Madison, WI, residence hall ZIP code (available on individual hall pages)
For example:
Buckingham Badger
6206 Withey, Ogg Residence Hall
835 W. Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53706
Lakeshore Package Center
To help with multiple delivery locations in our Lakeshore neighborhood, we have a one-stop center specifically for only packages for residents living in Lakeshore (excluding Waters Hall – packages will be available at that front desk for residents). Residents can pick up their packages from the Lakeshore Package Center during their posted open hours.
How to Address Packages
To fix the issue of your packages being delivered to the wrong area, we ask that Lakeshore residents now start addressing your packages to the Lakeshore Package Center address (1650 Kronshage Dr.) and listing your hall, house and room number in the Address 2 line. Additionally, we ask that you please include your first AND last name when ordering packages. To do this, please follow the guide below when addressing your packages:
For example:
Buckingham Badger
1650 Kronshage Dr.
Lakeshore Package Center, Bradley, Henmon, 434
Madison, WI 53706
IKEA
As you plan your room, IKEA has everything to make your space fashionable, functional, and uniquely you. Get an exclusive 15% off your purchase both online and in-store, plus options for free on-campus order pick-up. Simply click here or scan the QR code in your SOAR welcome bag to find out more. Touring our residence halls during SOAR? Make sure to check out useful accessory ideas from IKEA on display in our tour rooms.
Lazybones
Lazybones, a local company, will store your items until you arrive and deliver them to your room. Learn more here.
On Your Move-In Day
- Arrive at Your Residence Hall
Arrive at your designated date and time to ensure you have enough parking and resources. Check out our residence hall map to find addresses and locations. - Park Your Vehicle
- Once you arrive, park your vehicle in the designated areas with your parking permit. Parking permits are available in My UW Housing. You will need to print and bring this permit on your move-in date and display it on your dashboard. Permits are:
- Required for unloading
- Only valid on your scheduled move-in day
- Check-In
You will then be able to check-in at your hall’s desk. There, you’ll be given your room key and a moving cart. If your hall desk is closed, call the “House Fellow on duty” phone number listed on signs outside your hall’s entrances. - Move-In
You and your visitors are only allowed one vehicle in unloading areas at a time. You’ll have 45 minutes to unload all your items from your vehicle from the start of your assigned move-in time. After 45 minutes, you must move your car. After unloading, visitor parking on campus and City of Madison parking ramps are available for a fee. Moving carts must be returned after 45 minutes or as soon as you have finished unloading your vehicle. Note: Carts may be limited so we encourage bringing your own moving supplies and dollies. - Set Up Your Room
Housing staff are not available during move-in to loft beds. Residents and families are encouraged to loft their own beds during move-in. If residents would like assistance lofting their bed after move-in, a maintenance request can be submitted after move-in and will be completed in approximately a week. - Remove Trash & Recycling
All trash and recycling is your responsibility to remove from your residence hall. Trash/recycling rooms will not be available on your floor. All styrofoam, cardboard, and plastic bags should be taken to recycling locations outside your residence hall to avoid sending material to the landfill. - Connect to the Internet
To connect to UWNet, UW-Madison’s wireless Internet service, simply select it from the list of networks and launch any web browser. You’ll be automatically redirected to a registration page where you can enter your NetID information to get connected. - Enjoy a Meal with Your Guests
After unloading and moving your vehicle, Housing Dining will offer four extra guest swipes per resident account on your dining plan, valid on your specific move-in date at Housing Dining markets only (not for use at Starbucks, Shake Smart, Bean and Creamery, Southeast Café, or Flamingo Runs)
While you’re there, sign up for the Ticket to Takeout program at any register so you can take food to-go throughout the year!
Wisconsin Welcome
Sunday, August 24 – Sunday, October 5
New students will have a great time meeting new friends and finding their place in the campus community during the events offered during the first four weeks of the semester. Check out the Wisconsin Welcome mobile app and website for a schedule of events.
Wisconsin Late Night
In addition to Wisconsin Welcome events, Wisconsin Late Night (WLN) provides safe and productive spaces for you, including creative, informational, inclusive, and competitive events during move-in week from August 24 – 27 and on Fridays and Saturdays during the semester. Follow WLN on Instagram to learn more about these events!
The W Project: Bucky’s 5th Quarter Spirit Event
Join the University of Wisconsin Marching Band on Wednesday, August 27 at Camp Randall Stadium for this fun event where you’ll learn cheers and get a preview of what Camp Randall has to offer during Wisconsin Football games and be a part of the new student “W” photo.
New Student Convocation
Tuesday, September 2 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. at the Kohl Center
New Student Convocation is a formal welcome for new students where you’ll be introduced to the legacies of our campus — past, present, and future. Free lunch will also be provided by Housing Dining for new students on the basketball courts outside Sellery Residence Hall from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., and you can check-in with your Academic Program, College, or School for orientation activities that morning as well.
Note: Check the Kohl Center carry-in policy before you arrive. Because of this campus event, Housing Dining locations will have limited hours on September 2. Check our locations and hours to see what’s open.
Badger Welcome Dinner
Tuesday, September 2 from 4 – 8 PM
Four Lakes Market & Gordon Avenue Market
After Convocation, we’re throwing a Badger Party! Four Lakes and Gordon Avenue Markets will be celebrating the start of the year with a Badger Welcome Dinner. Join us for food and lots of fun all for just a meal swipe for residents and a door price for anyone else.
Dining Hours
See below for Early Arrival Move-In dining hours from Sunday, August 10 to Saturday, August 23. Please note that locations and hours do vary. Regular Fall Move-In hours will begin Sunday, August 24 through Friday, August 29 with regular semester hours beginning on Saturday, August 30.
Location
Meal Period
Sun. 8/10
Mon. - Fri. 8/11 - 8/15
Sat. 8/16 - Sun. 8/17
Mon. 8/18 - Fri. 8/22
Sat. 8/23
Four Lakes Market
Breakfast
9am - 2pm
7am - 10am
9am - 2pm
7am - 10am
9am - 2pm
Lunch
11am - 2pm
11am - 2pm
Dinner
4pm - 8:30pm
4pm-8:30pm
4pm-8:30pm
4pm-8:30pm
4pm-8:30pm
Flamingo Run
10am - 9pm
10am - 9pm
10am - 9pm
10am - 9pm
10am - 9pm
Bean & Creamery
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Gordon Avenue Market
Breakfast
9am - 2pm
7am - 10am
9am - 2pm
7am - 10am
9am - 2pm
Lunch
11am - 2pm
11am - 2pm
Dinner
4pm - 8:30pm
4pm - 8:30pm
4pm-8:30pm
4pm - 8:30pm
4pm-8:30pm
Flamingo Run
10am - 9pm
10am - 9pm
10am - 9pm
10am - 9pm
10am - 9pm
Southeast Café
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Starbucks
Closed
Closed
Closed
7am - 5pm
7am - 5pm
Shake Smart
Closed
9am - 4pm
Closed
9am - 4pm
Closed
Renter’s Insurance
We strongly recommend you obtain insurance for your personal items and liability. Residents can benefit from renter’s insurance for a variety of damages that may occur beyond your control or because of negligence on your part. Be sure to have adequate coverage for fire and water damage.
- Check to see if you are already covered on your family’s homeowner’s insurance.
- Ask your family about adding a rider to existing policies.
- Obtain your own policy.
Questions/Concerns
If you can’t make the livestream, our FAQs page includes answers to common questions. If you don’t see your question answered there, feel free to use our contact form.
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