Fall Term Move-In Guide

Arriving at OSU
Driving Directions and Parking Information
Check-in and Arrival Information
Help After Move-in
Email Communication
How to: 2012 Move-In Video

 

What is my arrival date and time?

Check MyUHDS for your arrival date and time. If you are interested in learning more about how arrival works, see the information below.

Arriving at OSU – September 24 and 25, 2013

During Fall 2013, OSU move-in will be spread over two days, Sept. 24 and 25. Check in will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arrival times will be assigned to students for specific slots during the day. Check in will take place on the 24^th and 25^th between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at each of the hall and co-op locations. If you are checking in outside of these days/times please see below where you check in.

Buildings available for move in on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013 (Day One)

• Buxton Hall
• Cauthorn Hall
• International Living-Learning Center
• Halsell Hall
• McNary Hall
• Weatherford Hall
• West Hall
• Wilson Hall

Buildings available for move in on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013 (Day Two)

• Bloss Hall
• Callahan Hall
• Hawley Hall
• Finley Hall
• Poling Hall
• Sackett Hall
• Avery Lodge (cooperative)
• Azalea House (cooperative)
• Dixon Lodge (cooperative)
• Oxford House (cooperative)

Arriving at OSU Outside of the Main Move In Days

For all students arriving before or after the standard arrival days, please check in with the Service Center that works with the building you will be living in.  A list of these are noted below:

• West Side Residents– (Cauthorn, Buxton, Hawley, Poling, Sackett, & West)
  
  • Check in at the West Service Center located in the Marketplace West Dining
• Weatherford Residents
  
  • Check in at the Weatherford Service Center located across from the entrance to Bings Café
• East Side and Cooperative House Residents- (Callahan, McNary, Wilson, Avery, Azalea, Dixon, & Oxford)
  
  • Check in at the McNary Service Center located in the McNary Central Dining Center
• South Side Residents- (Bloss, Finley, Halsell, & the International Living Learning Center)
  
  • Check in at the Arnold Service Center located in the Arnold Dining Center

Arriving after 5 p.m.?

Students arriving after 5 p.m. on the move-in days must check-in at their service center, and if it is after 7 p.m. with the on-duty Resident Assistant (RA) in their assigned building or Cooperative House Director (CD) in their assigned co-op.  The RA on-duty or CD on-duty can be reached by calling the posted cell phone number on the hall and co-op doors.

Driving Directions and Parking Information

West Side (Buxton, Cauthorn, Hawley, Poling, Sackett, Weatherford & West)

• Driving Directions: Traveling on Interstate 5, take the Highway 34 exit which reads "Corvallis/Oregon State University" (exit number 228). Go west toward Corvallis on Highway 34 for about 10 miles. Cross the Willamette River bridge onto Harrison Boulevard. Turn left two blocks after crossing the bridge, onto 4th Street. Continue on 4th Street until you reach Western Boulevard. Turn right (west) onto Western Boulevard. Continue on Western Boulevard until you reach 26th Street, then turn right (north). Continue on 26th Street until you reach Jefferson Way, turn left (west).
• Free 10-minute loading zones are located in the student/visitor parking on Jefferson Way, on the South Side of Weatherford Hall on Intramural Way, on the West Side of Hawley and Cauthorn Halls and on the East Side of Buxton and Poling Halls, along 26th St next to Weatherford Hall.
• Free long-term parking will be available at the Crop Soil Science Building, and Reser Stadium.

 

East Side (McNary, Wilson, Callahan, Avery, Azalea, Oxford & Dixon)

• Driving Directions: Traveling on Interstate 5, take the Highway 34 exit which reads "Corvallis/Oregon State University" (exit number 228). Go west toward Corvallis on Highway 34 for about 10 miles. Cross the Willamette River bridge onto Harrison Boulevard. Turn left two blocks after crossing the bridge, onto 4th Street. Continue on 4th Street until you reach Jefferson Avenue. Turn right (west) onto Jefferson Avenue. Travel west on Jefferson Avenue until you reach 11th Street. Turn left (south) onto 11th Street, and take the next right (west) onto Adams Avenue.
• Free 10-minute loading zones are located in front of McNary Hall and the curb side student/visitor parking behind Wilson and Callahan Halls.
• Free long-term parking will be in the large student/visitor lot behind Wilson and Callahan Halls.

 

South Side (Bloss, Finley, Halsell, & the International Living Learning Center)

• Driving Directions: Traveling on Interstate 5, take the Highway 34 exit which reads "Corvallis/Oregon State University" (exit number 228). Go west toward Corvallis on Highway 34 for about 10 miles. Cross the Willamette River bridge onto Harrison Boulevard. Turn left two blocks after crossing the bridge, onto 4th Street. Continue on 4th Street until you reach Western Boulevard. Turn right (west) onto Western Boulevard. Continue on Western Boulevard until you reach 26th Street, then turn right (north).
• Free 10-minute loading zones are located in the student/visitor parking next to Halsell and Finley Hall and in the student/visitor spots on the South side of Bloss Hall.
• Free long-term parking will be at Reser Stadium.

Helpful Hints

• Volunteers will help unload your belongings to the curb outside of your assigned hall. As soon as your vehicle is unloaded, please move it to long-term parking. This will help ensure others get moved in quickly as well
• Somebody must stay with your vehicle at all times
• Please obey all traffic signage, and volunteer and police directions. Please also be aware of construction vehicles and activity
• Long term parking is available in the Reser Stadium parking lot as well as the Benton County Fairgrounds located on 53rd Street. A complimentary shuttle will be running between campus and the fairgrounds
• Students with multiple cars are requested to only bring one vehicle at a time to the loading zones. The bike lane on northbound SW 30th will be available as a temporary unloading zone (useful for those moving in to West Side)
• Volunteers as well as Oregon State Police, the Department of Public Safety, and Benton County Sherriff will be onsite to ensure smooth traffic flow

Check in and Arrival Information:

If you’re arriving prior to and after Fall Term move in days on September 18 and 19, you should check in at the service center for your residence hall or cooperative house between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the day you have been approved to arrive, which can be found on your MyUHDS account. At the service center you'll receive your room key. You'll also be asked to sign a Room and Dining Contract if you did not electronically sign online. When you arrive at your room, please verify the condition of the room and report any maintenance concerns via your MyUHDS account. There will be a link available on MyUHDS to update the condition of your room. Noting the condition of your room as accurately as possible will help us know the state of your room as you entered it, and will reduce any confusion if a damage charge is assessed when you move out of the space. 

Students arriving after 7 PM must check in with the Resident Assistant or Cooperative Director on duty in their assigned building. The RA or CD on duty can be reached by calling the posted cell phone number on their hall/co-op door.

Where do I get a cart to move my stuff to my room?
Carrying carts are available in the main lobbies of each hall/co-op. They may be checked out there from your hall's Resident Assistants or Cooperative Director.

How do I know my mailing address?

You can find your mailing address and mailbox information online via your MyUHDS account. Remember that if you live on the East or West Side Campus, your mailbox number is different than your room number. If you live on the South Side of campus your mailing address corresponds to the room number in your assigned hall (e.g., 201 Bloss Hall).

Where do I get loft kits?
For Buxton, Cauthorn, Halsell, Hawley, International Living Learning Center, McNary, Poling, Sackett, Weatherford, West, and Wilson (4th floor) loft  kits are available in the halls on a limited basis. If you would like to sign up for a loft kit please sign up on your MyUHDS account. The rental charge for a loft kit is $200 which can be billed to your student account. For more information on loft kit reservations please view the loft kit site.
If you are living in Bloss, Callahan, and Wilson (all but 4th floor) you may bring your own loft kit. The University does not have loft kits available for sale; you are responsible for building or buying your own from a lumber company. Please be sure to view the UHDS rules for building your own loft kit.

ID Cards and Meal Plans:
If you did not get your student ID card during the START program please go to the ID center located in the basement of Kerr Administration. You need your ID card to eat at the dining centers. Your meal plan is already on your ID card, no set up is necessary once you have your ID card. If you wish to change your meal plan please go to your MyUHDS account to submit a dining plan change.

Computer Network Connections (ResNet):
To set up internet in your room, plug your Ethernet cable into the orange or green jack in your room. Open a web browser and follow the registration instructions. Rooms have enough jacks for each roommate so everyone can be online at the same time. Ethernet cables and adapters can be purchased at the OSU Bookstore. For more help contact ResNet. Wireless is also available in all of our buildings but it is not guaranteed in every room.

Room and Board Payment Information:
Room and board charges are billed to your student account at the beginning of each term. These charges will appear on a statement, which includes all tuition, housing, and other miscellaneous university charges and payments. All charges on your student account can be paid for at the Accounts Payable window on the 1^st floor of the Kerr Administration building.

Parking on campus:
A car is not a necessity, but many students have cars at OSU. Most locations are within walking distance from campus. To travel to locations further from campus, the Corvallis transit system allows students with a valid OSU ID card to ride the bus for free. It is important to note that OSU Parking Services sells more parking permits than they have spots available.

Changing rooms:
Room changes will be available starting the third week of classes and will be available through the ninth week of classes. If you are living in a residence hall, you will need to contact your Resident Director to make a room change. If you are living in a cooperative house, you will need to talk with your Cooperative Director. You can also stop by or call a Service Center to find out more information about switching rooms.

Roommate conflicts:
Many first year college students have never had a roommate before. A good roommate match is a two way street. As long as you and you roommate communicate well and discuss issues ahead of time, such as schedules, cleanliness of the room, and visitors, you will find that having a roommate is not a bad thing (in fact, it can even be a great thing). However, if you discover that you and your roommate can't resolve your conflicts, find a staff member in your Residence Hall or Cooperative House. These trained individuals are available to assist in solving conflicts.

Breaking the housing contract:
If you leave housing any time after the start of the term, you will be charged $9.00 per day (or $6 per day if you are living in a Cooperative House) for the amount of time left in your contract, which ends on the last day of spring term. The charge equates to a maximum of $2052.00 for the entire contract period. These charges will be assessed only if you continue to take classes at OSU. If you withdraw from OSU, transfer to another institution, graduate, or go on a university approved student exchange or internship you are exempt from the cancellation fee.

Personal Property (Renters) Insurance:
UHDS recommends purchasing Personal Property or Renters Insurance either through your family’s existing account, or through one of many insurance agencies.

Help After Move-In

Residence Hall and Cooperative House staff are there to provide personal and academic assistance and support.

• Each residence hall has a Residence Director (RD) that is responsible for the management of the housing complex, its various facilities and operations, and for the development of the residential population. RDs supervise the paraprofessional Residential Education staff, support the student government, encourage recreational, social, educational and cultural programming and are available for individual counseling and referrals to other university services.
• Each residence hall floor (about 30-55 students) has 1 or 2 Resident Assistant(s) (RA) who are selected and trained to assist with student concerns, personal, social, and academic needs, and general university and community issues. Residential Education Staff are "on duty" during the evening hours in each housing location. In addition, the RAs are trained to handle emergency situations, enforce university and residence hall policies and regulations, and carry out general administrative tasks.
• Each Cooperative House has a Cooperative Director (CD) who lives within the house and advises the Executive Council.  The Executive Council, which democratically manages the logistics of operating the house, is composed of elected student representatives that reside in the house.

A number of web resources also exist to help guide you through your transition to OSU:

• OSU Multicultural Resource Guide (MRG)
• Dean of Student Life
• Additional campus resources

Email Communication

You are responsible for reading information sent to your mailbox, posted on your room door, and/or sent by electronic communication to your ONID email account. UHDS will send most correspondence to applicants and residents via their ONID email account. Please note that if you forward your ONID email to a different account, it may be filtered, refused, or treated as spam. UHDS is not responsible for emails not received. To ensure delivery of emails from UHDS to your email inbox, add uhds@oregonstate.edu and housing@oregonstate.edu to your email address book or list of approved senders.

Understanding Your UHDS Room & Dining Contract

It is important to read and understand the Room and Dining Contract before you sign it.  A few basic facts about the contract can be found online, however, it is important to refer to the Room and Dining Contract for specific details and provisions.

What to Bring?

A general list of what to bring and what to leave behind is available to help you as you pack for OSU. We suggest working with your roomate so that you don't bring two of the same item.

Roommates

Many college roommates often turn out to be lifelong friends. However, one of the most challenging aspects of college can be living with a roommate. Typically, this is the first time you have either lived in the same room with someone or lived with a person you know little about. Either way, living with someone in a small space can be difficult but with perseverance and determination this can be a rewarding experience.  Although many roommates get along from check-in day, below are some tips on developing successful roommate relationships:

• Selecting a Roommate
• Living with a Roommate

OSU ID Card

If you did not pick up your OSU ID Card at START, please pick it up at the ID Center prior to checking into housing. Your OSU ID Card not only permits you to enter your residence hall and pay for purchases at the dining centers, but it also provides access to the following services: 

• Access to your residence hall
• Campus dining, coffee shops, and Orange Rewards
• Tickets for athletic events
• Dixon Recreation Center
• Valley Library
• Student Involvement (class notes)
• Craft Center (supplies, fees)
• Corvallis Transit - ride free (students & employees only)

What to Bring & Leave Behind

• What to bring
• Appliances
• What to leave behind

We recommend that you work with your roommate(s) or suitemate(s) to coordinate who will bring certain shared items such as a TV or cleaning materials. Keep in mind that space is limited.

What to Bring!

Pinterest board: What to bring

• Cleaning Materials
• Air fresheners/Febreeze
• 409/Windex
• Duster/Small vacuum
• Lint roller
• Laundry detergent and fabric softener
• Laundry basket (preferably one that folds up easily)
• Broom/dust pan
• Bathroom items such as gloves & bleach (for students living in halls with semi-private bathrooms---ex. West, Halsell, Bloss, the International Living-Learning Center, and Hawley/Buxton corner suites)
• Bedding & Bath Items
  
  • Towels (bath, hand, washcloth)
  • Robe
  • Shower caddy (to carry shower supplies from room to bathroom)
  • Flip-flops for showering
  • Twin sheets (keep in mind that most halls have extra long twin mattresses)
  • Mattress topper (feather bed/memory foam/egg crate topper/etc.)
  • Comforter/Blankets/Pillows
• Decorations
  • Posters
  • Pictures (of family, friends, favorite things, etc.)
  • Painter’s tape
• Entertainment
  • Playing cards
  • Board games (Cranium, Apples to Apples, Catchphrase, Taboo, etc.)
  • iPod or other mp3 device (and accessories)
  • Magnetic Poetry Kits
  • Television/ TV stand (small enough to fit in a residence hall room—entertainment centers are too big—wheels are good)
  • DVD player (and DVDs)
• Snacks/Food
  • Re-usable BPA-free water bottle(s)
  • A few dishes (bowl, plate, silverware)
  • Stainless steel thermos/something for hot drinks (discount for reusable mugs at all of our coffee venues)
• Office Supplies
  
  • Laptop/desktop computer (anti-theft devices for laptops are recommended)
  • Computer speakers
  • Printer and accessories
  • Ethernet cable/surge protector (be sure to check appliances for allowed surge protectors)
  • Jump drive/memory stick
  • Desk organizers
  • Paper/pens/pencils/notebooks/binders/etc.
  • Desk lamp (non halogen bulbs only)
  • Dry erase board/cork board (and dry erase markers or pushpins)
  • Wireless computer mouse
  • Monthly planner
  • Desk/wall calendar
•   First Aid/Medicine
  • Anti-itch cream
  • Aspirin or other such medicine
  • Cough syrup/cold medicine
  • Your prescription medication
• Other
  • Alarm clock (or use your cell phone as an alarm clock)
  • Cell phone or phone card (and cell phone charger)
  • Digital camera and memory card
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Earplugs/tissue
  • Fan
  • Small plastic step ladder
  • Plastic storage containers
  • Some tools (screwdriver, pliers, etc.)
  • Lanyard or key/OSU ID holder
  • Hangers/shoe racks (or other closet organizers)
  • Rug/curtains
  • Umbrella/rain coat

Appliances (Allowed items)

UHDS does allow some appliances in the living groups. It is an expectation that all appliances used in the halls or coops are undamaged and have no alterations. Many of the appliances listed below may be stored or used in the living groups under certain conditions. Misuse of appliances may result in loss of privileges and conduct action.

• Blenders
• Electrical Can Openers
• Fans
• Televisions (not wall mounted)
• Lamps (incandescent only, no more than 60 watts)
• Microwaves are only allowed in room if the appliance
  • Is part of a MicroFridge®set (a specific brand available from any online retailers for sale and for rent) or other unit from various vendors that meet the below criteria:
    • Uses “one plug” technology, and
    • Is not kept in confined areas (i.e. closets), and
    • Is UL Listed
• Electric blankets are prohibited in all student rooms and not allowed at all in the residence halls, but residents in the Cooperative Houses who wish to use an electric blanket can speak to the Cooperative Director for permission. Blankets must follow all fire code safety policies and have been purchased after 2000 in order to be approved.
• Residents may use decorative LED lights in their rooms, as long as it does not violate the manufacturer guidelines.
• The following items are also allowed but must be UL Listed, have a double insulated, three prong cord, and have an Automatic shut-off. (These items should only be used on leveled surface away from combustible materials) *
  • Clothes irons
  • Coffee makers (must only use an insulated carafe)
  • Hot Pots (must have an insulated carafe)
  • Rice cookers (may be stored in rooms but only used in kitchens, must have built-in thermal safety fuse)
  • Hair iron
  • Refrigerators (Energy Star rated and draws less than 11 amps). We strongly recommend that residents only have one refrigerator per room, due to load limitations on our building’s electrical system.
  • Power strips (see expectations and restrictions below)

*  Reminder:  Residents may not cook food in their room.  Heating water or brewing coffee is allowed provided the fire detection system is not activated.  Activation of the fire system, such as a smoke detector, even if on accident may result in disciplinary action by the University and the Corvallis Fire Department.  For safety purposes, the smoke detectors are sensitive. 

 

What to Leave Behind! (Prohibited items)

Pinterest board: What to leave behind

Due to health and safety concerns and facility capacity issues, there are a number of appliances that are not allowed in the residence halls and cooperative houses. Below is a partial list of prohibited items. Students should ask UHDS staff about appliances not listed on this page BEFORE bringing them to campus or into a living group.

• Any damaged or altered appliance
• Any appliance that produces steam, smoke or grease laden vapors
• Air Conditioners
• Barbecues (Hall/coop councils may store and use barbeques provided the departmental guidelines are followed. Barbecues must be used no closer than 30 feet from any building, must have non-flammable material underneath them to catch drippings and be used under the direction of hall staff or hall or coop directive.)
• No cooking is allowed in student rooms
• Fog, Smoke, and Haze Machines
• Use of cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, humidifiers, smokeless apparatuses, or like items (this is an Oregon Administrative Rule; also, please note that OSU will be a smoke-free campus in 2012)
• Hookahs and hookah smoking accessories
• Gasoline, electric or Hybrid Powered Scooter, Bikes or other vehicles without approval from UHDS staff
• Halogen Lamps
• Lava Lamps
• Extension cords without built in fuse protection
• Crockpots or slow cookers
• Electric Woks
• Portable Space Heaters (if you have a special need please contact your Residential Education staff member or the Service Center)
• All "open-element" and "resistance" appliances, including, but not limited to:
  • Hot plates
  • Electric Grills (including, but not limited to, the George Forman type gill)
  • Toaster
  • Toaster Oven
  • Popcorn Poppers
  • Soldering Irons
  • Hamburger Cookers
  • Fryers

Power strips allowed:

• Power Strips with built-in circuit breakers used when additional appliances are needed.
• Three unit Multi-plug adapters with built-in circuit breakers that plug into wall receptacles
• Six unit Multi-plug adapters with built-in circuit breakers that plug into wall receptacles
• All Power Strips & Multi-plug Adapters shall be equipped with a 15 AMP built-in circuit breaker.
• UL Listed
• May not “piggy back” power strips (e.g. to plug one into another)

Extension cords NOT allowed:

• Extension cords not equipped with fuse protection
• 110 Volts Heavy Duty Extension Cord Wrapped in Duct Tape
• Piggy Back Power Strips (e.g. to plug one into another)
• Duct Tape Wrapped Around Electrical Plug
• Electrical Outlet with No Cover Plate
• Multi-Plug Adapters