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Move-in/Move-out/Breaks

Preparing for Move In Day

We look forward to your safe arrival on campus for the new academic year. Oxford Campus classes begin on Monday, August 28, 2023. Here are a few FAQs for Move-in Day:

When do students move into the residence halls and on-campus apartments?

All residential students will be notified of their specific day and time in their housing assignment email which will be sent from the Campus Services Center no later than the first week of August. 

Generally, first-year students will move in on Wednesday and Thursday, August 23 and 24, 2023. Some students arrive early if they are associated with a particular program (e.g. pre-semester programs such as Miami Bound or MADE at Miami, marching band, etc.). These students receive separate communication from the office that sponsors the program. 

Upper class students will be assigned to move in on Saturday or Sunday, August 26-27, 2023.

Students will also be assigned a time block when they should move in on their move-in day.

If you need advanced notice of your assigned date to purchase flights, first-year students should plan to arrive on Thursday, August 24 and upper class students should plan to arrive Saturday, August 26. 

What if students lose or accidentally delete their assignment email?

Contact the Campus Services Center

Once students are moved in, how long should families stay on campus?

All-hall meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on students' day of arrival. Most students will join their corridor for dinner in the nearest dining hall at 5 or 5:30 p.m. The meetings are followed by corridor meetings. Welcome Weekend activities continue that night and go throughout the weekend. Most family members depart after helping their students get into their rooms and somewhat settled. 

Will there be help moving students belongings in on move-in days?

Hundreds of upper class students volunteer to help new students move into the residence halls. These students are from student organizations including fraternities, sororities and athletic teams. We cannot guarantee that a volunteer will be at your car when you pull in, but many students and families get assistance from these volunteers. Staff from the Physical Facilities Department may also be on hand to help you unload. There are no volunteers to help second-year students move into the residence halls.

Where may we park our vehicle once the student is moved-in?

After you have unloaded your vehicle, you may park for free in the North Campus Parking Garage (near McKee Field baseball stadium), the Campus Avenue Parking Garage (near the Rec Center), or in the Millet Hall or Ditmer parking lots. There are several smaller parking lots designated for move-in parking on move-in days as well. Please do not park your vehicle adjacent to the residence halls. You may temporarily pull in close to your residence hall to unload, but should not park there. Do not park in a parking space designated for people with disabilities unless your vehicle has a permit to permit use of that space.

If I show up before 9 a.m. may we start moving in early?

No. The Residence Life staff will not be ready to check students in until your assigned arrival time. There is no advantage to getting to campus early. In fact, most traffic back-ups occur early in the morning.

Do the buildings have elevators for use during move-in?

Almost all of the residence halls for first-year students have elevators for use during move-in. Even if your building does not have an elevator, the good news is that our buildings are only three stories high.

What can we use to decorate our rooms?

You can avoid unnecessary charges when you move-out by following these decorating guidelines:

  • Picture rail molding (can use thumb tacks)
  • Do not use any tape

May we ship students' items to campus?

Every year many families ship belongings to campus before arriving, so University Mail Services is well prepared for this to occur. Please follow this example on the labels of your packages:

Student Name
Miami University
Room Number and Residence Hall Name
Residence Hall Street Address
Oxford, OH 45056-Zip Ext.

The street address is available on students' MyCard webpage. 

All packages for students arrive to the University Mail Center at the Shriver Center. When a package arrives, the mail center will email the student at their Miami email address to inform them of the package. Students go to the mail center in the Shriver Center to claim their packages. Packages should NOT arrive before August 14 or they will get returned.  

What should we do with extra boxes after we unpack on move-in day?

Any cardboard boxes which you do not want to keep should be collapsed and taken out to the pile next to the trash dumpster outside of the building. The Physical Facilities Department will collect the cardboard for recycling. The cardboard tubes on which carpets are wrapped should also be recycled. Do not throw cardboard boxes in the trash dumpsters as they take up valuable space for trash. Miami is committed to recycling as much as possible.

Where can we eat on campus on move-in day?

Most dining halls are open on campus beginning at lunch on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Students may begin to use their meal plan at this time. Family members are welcome to eat in the dining halls using credit card. Cash is not accepted on campus.

What is the first thing students are required to attend on move-in day?

Students will join their hall mates for dinner at a dining hall at about 5:30 p.m. All students must attend the all-hall meeting at their residence hall at 6:30 p.m. At that meeting they will meet the residence life staff in their residence hall, begin to meet other residents of the building, and hear important information about the building. Immediately after the all-hall meeting, students will meet with their RAs and corridor-mates to begin the community building process.

What if we get delayed and cannot arrive by 5:30 p.m. on move-in day?

Contact the Campus Services Center at 513-529-5000 to make check-in arrangements and guarantee your room assignment.

Who can I call if I have further questions not answered here?

Review the contact information for Residence Life and the Campus Services Center, and an explanation of the responsibility of each office.

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Fall Break

Fall break occurs on October 13, 2023. The residence halls do not close for fall break.

Thanksgiving Break (November 22-26, 2023)

  • The residence halls close on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at noon. 
  • Students who need to stay on campus for any part of the break must request access by clicking on the break housing link in their housing portal.
  • A health and safety inspection will be conducted in every room at the beginning of the break. 
  • The residence halls re-open on Sunday, November 26 at 9 a.m. 

Preparing for Winter Break and Winter Term (December 15, 2023 - January 28, 2024)

General Information

  • All residence halls will close at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2023.
  • The residence halls open for the spring semester on Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 9 a.m.
  • Residence hall staff will check all student rooms during break to assure that each is secured and free of any safety hazards. Failure to comply with housing policies may result in judicial action against all residents of the room.
  • Contractors and/or university staff may need to enter your room for repairs/maintenance during break.
  • If you have a car and are leaving it in Oxford, do not park it on Oxford city streets. Park it in a remote Miami parking lot (Ditmer, Millett or Chestnut).

Before You Leave For Winter Break

  • Unplug all appliances (except refrigerator) and electronics in your room.
  • Remove perishable food from your refrigerator but do not turn it off or unplug it.
  • Remove all trash and recyclables from your room and deposit in appropriate dumpsters.
  • Close and lock all windows and doors. Close window blinds half way.
  • Turn heat register or thermostat to the lowest setting.
  • If you have fish in your room, take the fish home and empty the tank before you leave.
  • Remember to take important belongings with you (wallet, purse, ID card, keys, medicine, phone, etc.).
  • Clear out your mailbox.

Safety and Security

  • Vacation periods are a time during which thefts have occurred in the past in the residence halls. Make sure your door is closed and windows are locked before you leave.
  • Special police patrols will take place to assist in the security of the buildings while the halls are closed.

Room and Hall Changes, Vacancies and Students Not Returning

  • If you have been approved for a room change it is your responsibility to work with your hall staff to make the appropriate arrangements for your move. You must: (1) be moved out of your current space prior to leaving for winter break. (2) have your room inspected by Residence Life staff, and (3) leave forwarding address with University Mail Services if leaving Miami University.
  • If you have a vacant bed in your room, your room must be ready to receive a new resident before you leave for the break (bed cleared off, furniture set up, desk/closet/dresser emptied).
  • Students who are academically suspended or dismissed (and are not petitioning) must return to campus and completely vacate their room by 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Contact the Campus Services Center at 513-529-5000 to get temporary access to move out.

Need to stay after closing or during Winter Term?

  • Students  who need to stay after closing or who need housing during the Winter Term should complete a Winter Term Housing Request Form, which can be found through your housing portal.  
  • Students approved for winter break and/or winter term housing will be billed their daily cohort rate.
  • Students who do not sign up but manage to get into the building and then enter their room will be charged $55 per day.
  • Residents of Heritage Commons can stay in their apartment for free as stated in their contract but they must still sign up for break housing so their ID can be activated.
  • Students who are taking a Winter Term class who wish to stay on campus should also complete the Break Housing Request in the housing portal and will be automatically approved. Students who wish to stay on campus during Winter Term but are not taking a Winter Term class must submit a request with a valid reason to be on campus and must get electronic approval from the Campus Services Center.
  • Students may not return to campus on December 30 or 31 without prior approval from the Campus Services Center.

January Return to Campus

  • The residence halls open for the Spring Semester on Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 9 a.m.
  • Classes begin on the Oxford campus on Monday, January 29, 2024.
  • Check back later for information about early arrival.

Spring Break (March 22-31, 2024)

  • Residence halls close at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024. Residence halls open at 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2024. (NOTE: Sunday, March 31, 2023 is the Christian holiday of Easter). 
  • Students who need to stay after closing should complete a Break Housing Request Form, which can be found through your housing portal.  
  • Students will pay a fee for break housing after March 23.  Students will be charged their daily rate based on their housing rate.
  • Students who do not sign up but manage to get into the building and then enter their room will be charged $55 per day.
  • Residents of Heritage Commons can stay in their apartment for free as stated in their contract but they must still sign up for break housing so their ID can be activated.

Preparing to Move-Out (third week of May 2024)

General Information

  • Classes end on Friday, May 10, 2024, with final exams held May 13-17, 2024.
  • Residence halls close at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024.
  • 24 hour Quiet Hours begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024.
  • Sign up to let the Office of Residence Life staff know when you plan to move-out using the MyPlansForDeparture form. 
  • All residential are encouraged to do some spring cleaning before finals so you're not overwhelmed when it's time to move out.

Checking Out of Your Room

  • All students must be fully moved out of their room by 7 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024.
  • Remove everything from your room, including everything in the drawers and closet. Leave your drawers open.
  • Unplug, empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator. Be sure to also clean the drip trays in the back of your fridge.  Here is a helpful video about avoiding unnecessary refrigerator cleaning fees
  • Take all of your trash and recyclables outside to the dumpster. Do not put trash in the hallways or bathroom receptacles.
  • Ensure your bedframe is right-side up to avoid the $50 fee for resetting your bed.
  • Remove everything from the walls, including any tape residue. Avoid the charges per piece of tape!  Here is a helpful video about removing command strips.
  • Sweep your room.
  • When you are ready to depart go to your lobby where you'll find an RA or RD at the check-out table. The RA or RD will come to your room to do an in-person room inspection. The RA or RD will note any damages or cleaning that needs to be done. Note: the RA does not make the final decisions about room damages and cleaning charges. The RD will do a final inspection of the rooms to finalize charges. 
  • If damage is not claimed by any individual resident, all occupants of the room will be charged. 
  • RAs do not determine the final charges. Resident Directors and/or Housing Managers from the Physical Facilities Department finalize all charges after closing.
  • Your RA might ask you to do a more thorough job cleaning your room before completing the inspection.

ShareFest

  • Help divert tons of materials from the landfill while helping local social service agencies.
  • There will be a ShareFest drop-off location in every residential community.
  • Donate all still-usable clothing and shoes, cleaning supplies, household goods, microwaves, personal care items and unopened food.
  • Do not donate foam mattress pads, pillows, underwear, opened food or broken items.

Mail

  • Clear all of the mail out of your mailbox.
  • During the summer, mail and USPS packages will be forwarded to students' permanent addresses in Banner. Packages from carriers who charge a forwarding fee (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.) will be refused. If you are not returning to campus you should notify senders.
Warfield Hall
Contact Us

Office of Residence Life

211 Warfield Hall
451 East Spring St.
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-4000