Moving into your residence hall is an exciting experience—and preparing for it can come with a lot of different emotions. We are here to make the move-in experience a seamless one for you and your family.
We can’t wait to welcome you home
Sign up for your move-in time
You’ll be able to sign up for your move-in day/time in July each year. We’ll send you an email when the process for doing this is live.
First-year students will move in Aug. 17 and 18, and returning students will move in Aug. 24.
Moving in early
We can accommodate pre-approved campus groups to move in early, such as athletics teams or orientation leaders. If you’re a member of a group like this, please contact your coach, advisor, or leader for additional instructions. On your group’s move-in day, please go to your residence hall front desk to check in.
We are unable to accommodate individual early move-in requests. If you have an extenuating circumstance or emergency, please contact us at reslife@iu.edu.
Rent your micro-fridge
Residents in University Tower, North Hall, and Ball Hall can rent micro-fridges for their rooms for the 2024-25 academic year. No more worries about burning popcorn or waterless ramen as these micro-fridges also come with a smoke detector that turns off the microwave at the first sign of smoke.
This new residence hall feature allows each roommate to split the cost of a microwave and fridge for one unit price. Students who order by Aug. 1 will have their micro-fridge in their room before they arrive on campus for move-in. Visit Campus Fridges, Etc. website or view their information below.
Packing lists
We’ve compiled a list of suggested items to bring with you based on which hall you’ll be living in. These lists are not exhaustive but are great starting points for you as you plan. There are some differences for students living in University Tower and Riverwalk Apartments due to the different amenities.
A list of prohibited items can be found in the Residential Handbook.
- One twin XL bed, dresser, desk, and chair per student (North Hall, Ball Hall, University Tower)
- One full bed, dresser, desk, and chair per student (Riverwalk Apartments)
- Window blinds (North Hall, Ball Hall, Riverwalk)
- Window drapes (University Tower)
- Closet or wardrobe (all halls)
- Xfinity On-Campus streaming service (all halls)
- Internet service/wifi (all halls)
- Local telephone service (if requested)
- Full size refrigerator
- Dinette and chairs
- Washer and dryer in unit
- Entertainment shelving (some units)
- Armchair
- Cable TV connection
- Coffee table
- Sofa, loveseat, or two-person couch
- Microwave
- Oven/range
- End tables
- Sheets (twin XL for North Hall, Ball Hall, and University Tower; full for Riverwalk Apartments)
- 3M Command Strips
- Alarm clock
- Blankets
- Clothes hamper
- Comforter
- Extra bedding
- Fan
- Floor lamp
- Hangers
- Mattress pad
- Pillows
- Posters and/or other approved décor
- Desk lamp
- Towels and washcloths
- Bathrobe
- Contact lenses and solution
- Cosmetics
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Curling iron/flat iron
- Dental floss
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush/comb
- Hair dryer
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Shaving items
- Shower caddy
- Face wash
- Cotton balls/q-tips
- Tissues
Riverwalk and Tower residents will also need:
- Rug/bathmat
- Toilet plunger and brush
- Toilet paper
- Soap and dispenser
- Shower curtain and liner
- Toothbrush holder
- Band-aids
- Batteries
- Bike and bike lock
- Board games
- Microwave safe bowls
- First aid kid
- Flashlight
- Ziploc bags
- Prescription medication
- Safety pins
- Sewing kit
- Sports equipment
- Umbrella
- Vitamins
- Coffee maker/supplies
- Mini fridge (7 cu. ft. max)
- Paper plates, paper towels, napkins
- Laptop/computer
- Cell phone and charger
- Ethernet cable
- Flash drive
- Headphones
- iPod or MP3 Player
- Outlet adapters
- Television
- Video game console
- HDMI cable
- Surge protector
- Clorox wipes
- Broom/dustpan
- Laundry detergent/fabric softener
- Vacuum
- Small iron and board/steamer
- Wastebasket
- Recycling bin
- Trash bags
Tower and Riverwalk will need: toilet, bathroom, and kitchen cleaners
- Laptop case
- Backpack
- Calculator
- Desktop accessories
- Notebooks and folders
- Pens and pencils
- Post-it notes
- Whiteout
- Index cards
- Ruler
- Three-hole punch
- Stamps and envelopes
- Stapler and staples
- Tape, glue, paperclips
- Textbooks
- Scissors
- Can opener
- Coffee maker/supplies
- Dish cloths
- Dishes
- Trash bin
- Hot pads
- Paper plates
- Paper towels
- Pizza pan
- Tupperware
- Pots and pans
- Toaster
- Utensils
- Ziploc bags
It’s move-in day!
First-year students
First-year students moving in on Aug. 17 or 18 should arrive at the Campus Center at the time you selected. For example, if you selected a move-in time of 8:30 a.m., you should be at the Campus Center by 8:30 a.m. If you arrive earlier than your move-in time, you may be asked to wait.
At this time, you'll receive your room keys, parking passes, and special move-in gifts to set the stage for an unforgettable year.
Please remember that parking is free in surface lot 80 ONLY during check-in. If you park in any of the garages for a fee, you will not be reimbursed.
IU Indianapolis Campus Center
420 University Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Returning students/upperclassmen
Returning students moving into Riverwalk Apartments can stay in your vehicles as our staff come to you with essential check-in details, including your housing assignment, key distribution, and unloading instructions. Simply drive up, check in with our team, and proceed to unload directly at your apartment.
Returning students moving into Ball Hall or North Hall on Aug. 24, you will check in at your residence hall’s community desk to get your room assignment and unloading instructions.
More details will be shared during summer 2024 and sent via your IU email.
Instructions for move-in by hall and what to bring
Each hall has a different move-in process, as they are in different areas of campus. We’ll have signage up along all the roads on campus for you to follow, but we’ve included instructions here, too.
We will provide big carts for you to move your items in in fewer trips, but you might find a dolly or fold-up wagon/cart of your own to prove useful. Additionally, all rooms are deep cleaned upon students moving out in the spring or summer. Rooms that haven’t been in use since the previous spring might need a light dusting. If you find you need to clean more than this, please find a staff member in your hall and alert them.
Unloading instructions
- Exit Lot 80 at the Campus Center onto W. Vermont St. going west.
- Turn right on Barnhill Drive.
- Turn left on W. Michigan St.
- Turn right on Eskenazi Drive, and then turn right at the first stop sign.
- Follow signs and directions from the staff to unload in front of Ball Hall.
Long-term parking location
- From the Ball Hall entrance, exit the drive and turn right onto Riley Hospital Drive.
- Turn right onto W. Michigan St.
- Turn left onto Limestone St.
- Turn left onto W. New York St.
- Follow signs and turn left into Lot 63 for long-term parking.
Unloading instructions
- Exit Lot 80 at the Campus Center onto W. New York St. going east.
- Turn left on Blackford St.
- Turn left into Lot 69 and follow directions from signs and our staff to unload.
Long-term parking location
- Exit Lot 69 and drive across the street into Lot 71 for long-term parking.
Unloading instructions
- Exit Lot 80 at the Campus Center onto W. New York St. going east.
- Turn left on Blackford St.
- Turn left on W. Michigan St.
- Turn right on Blake St. and then wait for directions from our staff to proceed to the unloading zone.
Long-term parking location
- Exit the circle drive and turn right on W. North St.
- Follow signs and turn right into Lot 71 for long-term parking.
Unloading instructions
- Exit Lot 80 at the Campus Center onto W. Vermont St. going west.
- Turn left on Barnhill Drive.
- Turn right on W. New York St.
- Turn right on Limestone St.
- Turn left on Porto Alegre St.
- Follow directions from signs and our staff to the Unloading Zone indicated on your Unloading Pass.
- Zone 1 — Lot 67
- Zone 2 — Parking Deck
- Zone 3 — Hine St.
- Zone 4 — Vermont St. (north)
- Zone 5 — Vermont St. (south)
Long-term parking locations
Unloading Zones 1 and 2
- Exit the unloading zone and turn left onto Porto Alegre St.
- Turn left again to reach Limestone St., and then turn right onto Limestone St.
- Turn left onto W. New York St.
- Follow signs and turn left into Lot 63 for long-term parking.
Unloading Zones 3, 4, and 5
- Head east and turn right onto Limestone St.
- Turn left onto W. New York St.
- Follow signs and turn left into Lot 63 for long-term parking.
Sending and receiving mail
You can use your new address for both mail and packages. If you receive a package, it will be delivered to the community desk, and you will receive an email informing you there is a package for pickup. Reminder: Anything with monetary value should be sent by registered mail.
University Tower address
Student’s name
911 W. North St.
Room number
Indianapolis, IN 46202
North Hall address
Student’s name
820 W. North St.
Room number
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Ball Hall address
Student’s name
1226 W. Michigan St.
Room number
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Riverwalk Apartments address
Student’s name
Street address (provided to you on your key envelope upon move-in)
Room number
Indianapolis, IN 46202