bucky during move-in

Fall Move-In: Approved Groups

We’re so excited to welcome you to campus! Residents of a few approved groups may receive a different move-in date to participate in required training or orientation activities. 

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 in to My UW Housing to select a new one by August 28. Please note that you will need to delete your current move-in time slot prior to signing up for a new one.

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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
  • 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)

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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 items more than one week before your move-in date.

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 zipcode (available on individual hall pages)

For example:
Buckingham Badger
6206 Withey, Ogg Residence Hall
835 W. Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53706

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On Your Move-In Day

  1. Arrive at Your Residence Hall
    Check out our residence hall map to find addresses and locations.
  2. 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 out this permit, write your cell phone number on it, and bring the 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
    • Note: overnight trailer parking is not permitted
  3. Check-In
    You will then be able to check-in at your hall 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.
  4. 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 in City of Madison parking ramps is available for a fee. Moving carts must be returned after 45 minutes or as soon as you have finished unloading your vehicle.
    Note: parking on Saturday, September 2, will be difficult due to the home football game, especially in the Southeast Neighborhood
  5. 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. You can also submit a request for help after move-in.
  6. Remove Trash & Recycling
    It is your responsibility to remove all trash and recycling from your residence hall throughout the year and take it to the collection bins outside. Learn more about the Housing recycling guidelines. Plastic Bag recycling bins are also located near each hall desk.
  7. 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.
  8. Enjoy a Meal with Your Guests
    Housing Dining offers two extra guest swipes per resident account on your dining plan, valid through September 2 and only on your move-in date at Housing Dining markets (not for use at Starbucks, Bean and Creamery, Southeast Café, or Flamingo Run). After unloading and moving your vehicle, join us for a meal. See dining hours for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    Note: Stop by the registers to sign up for the Ticket to Takeout program so you can take food to-go throughout the year!

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Construction Projects

UW-Madison campus and University Housing construction projects may be ongoing during move-in, special events, and some campus road closures may affect traffic.

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Wisconsin Welcome

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 evening social activities during move-in week from August 27-31 and on Fridays and Saturdays during the semester. Follow WLN on Instagram to learn more about these events!

5th Quarter Spirit Event
Join the University of Wisconsin Marching Band on Friday, September 1 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Camp Randall Stadium at 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.

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New Student Convocation

Tuesday, September 5 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 and Gordon Lawn from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 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 5. Check our locations and hours to see what’s open.

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Badger Welcome Dinner

Tuesday, September 5 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 the public.

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Wisconsin App

The “Wisconsin” app is the official UW-Madison mobile application for iOS and Android devices. It features real-time bus departures/arrivals and schedules, events, maps, and many other resources for you to use anywhere.

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Dining Hours

Dining hours for the Early Arrival Move-In period begin on August 13 and are listed below. All dining locations will begin regular semester hours on Sunday, August 27.

Location Meal Period Sun. 8/13 Mon. 8/14 Tues. 8/15 - Thurs. 8/24 Fri. 8/25 Sat. 8/26 Sun. 8/27 - Mon. 9/4 *Tues. 9/5
Carson's Market

1515 Tripp Circle
Menu
Lunch Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Academic Year Hours Closed
Dinner
Four Lakes Market

640 Elm Dr.
Menu
Breakfast 7am - 9am Closed 7am - 9am 7am - 9am 9am - 2pm Academic Year Hours 7am - 10am
Lunch 11am - 1pm 11am - 1pm 11am - 1pm Closed
Dinner 4pm-6:30pm 4pm-6:30pm 4pm-6:30pm 4pm-8:30pm Badger Welcome Dinner
-Flamingo Run 10am - 7pm 10am - 7pm 10am - 7pm 10am - 7pm 10am - 7pm 10am - 11pm
-Bean & Creamery Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed 7am - 10am
Gordon Avenue Market

770 W. Dayton St.
Menu
Breakfast 7am - 9am Closed 7am - 9am 7am - 9am 9am - 2pm Academic Year Hours 7am - 10 am
Lunch 11am - 1pm 11am - 1pm 11am - 1pm Convocation Lunch
Dinner 4pm-6:30pm 4pm-6:30pm Closed 4pm-8:30pm Badger Welcome Dinner
-Flamingo Run 10am - 7pm 10am - 7pm 10am - 7pm 10am - 7pm 10am - 7pm 4pm - 11pm
-Southeast Café Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed 7am - 10am
Liz's Market

1200 Observatory Dr.
Menu
Breakfast Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Academic Year Hours 7am - 10am
Lunch Closed
Dinner
Lowell Market

610 Langdon St.
Menu
Breakfast Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Academic Year Hours 7am - 10am
Lunch Closed
Dinner
Rheta's Market

420 N. Park St.
Menu
Breakfast Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Academic Year Hours 7am - 11am
Lunch 11am - 2pm
Dinner 4pm-6:30pm Closed
-Flamingo Run Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed 10am - 11pm
Starbucks

35 N. Park St.
Closed 7am - 5pm 7am - 5pm 7am - 5pm 7am - 5pm Academic Year Hours 7am - 5pm

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Renter’s Insurance

We strongly recommend you obtain insurance for your personal items and liability. You will be held financially liable for damage 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

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Upcoming Live Q&A

Have questions about move-in? Join us on Facebook or YouTube for a #LiveWithBucky Live about move-in on Wednesday, August 9 at 5:00 p.m. CT, where we’ll have Housing Staff live on camera and via text chat to answer your questions.

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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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