Welcome to your complete UNC move-in day 2025 guide for incoming Tar Heels! This resource covers everything you need for a smooth transition to Chapel Hill housing.
You’ll find essential college move-in tips, complete dorm room essentials lists, and step-by-step instructions for UNC residence halls.
Whether you’re a freshman or transfer student, this guide helps you prepare for one of the most exciting days of your college journey at the University of North Carolina.
Table of Contents
UNC Move-In Day 2025 Official Dates and Appointment System
UNC move-in day 2025 takes place from Wednesday, August 13, to Sunday, August 17, 2025, exclusively by appointment through the Carolina Housing reservation system.
Unlike previous years, all UNC Chapel Hill housing assignments require advance appointment scheduling to maximize efficiency and reduce traffic congestion during UNC freshman move-in day.
Making Your Move-In Appointment
Carolina Housing has implemented a staggered appointment system where different UNC residence halls open for registration on specific dates. Your college move-in day appointment selection depends on your dormitory assignment:
Monday, June 9
- 9:00 AM: Ram Village 1, 2, 3
- 12:00 PM: Taylor and Ram Village 5
- 3:00 PM: Morrison
Tuesday, June 10
- 9:00 AM: Alexander, Connor, Joyner, Winston
- 12:00 PM: Grimes, Mangum, Manly, Thomas Ruffin Jr.
- 3:00 PM: Alderman, Kenan, McIver, Spencer, Old East, Old West
Wednesday, June 11
- 9:00 AM: Carmichael
- 12:00 PM: Hardin, Parker, Teague
Thursday, June 12
- 9:00 AM: Craige
- 12:00 PM: Ehringhaus
- 3:00 PM: Cobb, Avery
Friday, June 13
- 9:00 AM: Hinton James
- 12:00 PM: Koury, Horton, Craige North
- 3:00 PM: McClinton, Everett, Lewis, Graham, Stacy
Each UNC move-in day 2025 appointment slot lasts 90 minutes. You can reschedule your appointment up to 24 hours before your selected time.
Roommates can coordinate to move in during the same time slot for roommate matching convenience.
For more important dates, check out the UNC Academic Calendar 2025-2026.
Early Arrival Requests
Students needing to arrive before August 13 must submit the Early Arrival Request Form through the UNC student portal by July 14.
This applies to student organization members, athletes, and international students requiring extra preparation time.
Essential UNC Packing List
Room Essentials for UNC Residence Halls
Your UNC residence halls come furnished with essential items, but personal touches make your dorm room feel like home. Carolina Housing provides Twin XL mattresses (80″ long, 36″ wide, 6″ deep), requiring XL twin sheets for proper fit.
Dorm room bedding essentials include:
- Twin XL fitted and flat sheets
- Pillowcases and pillows
- Comforter suitable for the North Carolina climate
- Mattress cover for protection
- Foam mattress topper for extra comfort
Dorm room lighting significantly improves your study environment:
- Desk lamp with adjustable brightness
- Floor lamp for ambient lighting
- Wall decor that doesn’t require nails (use Command strips)
Technology and Electronics for College Life
Essential college desk supplies and technology include:
- Laptop and charger
- 3-prong power strip with surge protection
- Phone charger (bring backup cables)
- Headphones for studying
- Account passwords for streaming services
UNC residence halls provide wireless internet in every room, with wired Ethernet available upon request from ResNET. Gaming consoles, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku devices work well on the campus network.
Personal Items and Bathroom Essentials
Chapel Hill’s climate requires weather-appropriate clothing for all four seasons:
- Professional attire for job interviews and events
- Comfortable walking shoes for UNC campus navigation
- Swimsuit and exercise clothing for the UNC recreation center
- Umbrella and raincoat for unpredictable weather
Shower caddy college essentials include:
- Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash)
- Towels and washcloths
- Shower shoes for communal bathrooms
- Shower curtain (for suite-style rooms only)
Food and Kitchen Items
UNC dining halls provide meal services, but personal snacks and basic items enhance your experience:
- Reusable water bottle
- One plate, bowl, utensil set, and mug
- Basic snacks for late-night studying
- Coffee maker (under 1000 watts)
- Small refrigerator (or rent from RHA vendors)
What NOT to Bring
Carolina Housing prohibits certain items for safety and community living standards:
Fire Safety Restrictions
- Candles, incense, fireworks
- Halogen lamps or multi-bulb fixtures
- All LED light strips and string/holiday lights
- Hot plates, toaster ovens, and electric grills
- Crockpots, Instant Pots, rice cookers
Electrical Safety
- Appliances over 1000 watts
- Two-prong extension cords
- Personal air conditioners
- Electric scooters, hoverboards, electric bikes
Other Prohibited Items
- Pets (except fish in tanks under 12 gallons)
- Personal WiFi routers
- Air/oil diffusers
- Fog and smoke machines
Check your housing contract for the complete Community Living Standards. Items deemed unsafe will be removed by Facilities or Fire Safety Staff.
UNC Move-In Day 2025 Check-In Process and Locations
Finding Your Housing Assignment
Access your UNC Chapel Hill housing assignment through the MyHousingPortal:
- Log in with your ONYEN and password
- Click “My Assignment”
- View your assignment, address, and roommate information
- Note your specific check-in location
Check-In and Key Pickup Locations
Carolina Housing uses centralized check-in locations for multiple buildings:
- Carmichael Service Desk: Avery, Carmichael, Parker, Teague
- Connor Service Desk: Alexander, Connor, Joyner, Winston
- Craige Service Desk: Craige
- Hinton James Service Desk: Hinton James
- Kenan Service Desk: Alderman, Kenan, McIver, Old East, Old West, Spencer
- Koury Service Desk: Ehringhaus, Koury, Horton
- McClinton Service Desk: Cobb, Everett, Graham, Lewis, McClinton, Stacy, Grimes, Mangum, Manly, Thomas Ruffin Jr.
- Morrison Service Desk: Morrison, Craige North, Hardin
- Ram Village 1 Service Desk: Ram Village 1, 2, 3
- Taylor Office: Ram Village 5, Taylor
Service desk assignments may change with Carolina Housing communicating updates via email to affected students.
Move-In Day Process
- Arrive During Your Appointment: Drive directly to your assigned building using the campus map
- Parking: You have 40 minutes to unload at the curb before moving to nearby parking lots
- Check-In: Present student ID and dormitory assignment confirmation
- Room Inspection: Document any existing damage with housing staff
- Key Pickup: Receive room keys and building access cards
Move-in volunteers assist with heavy lifting and provide campus directions. Parking attendants guide traffic flow and direct families to appropriate loading zones.
UNC Residence Hall Amenities and Services
Standard Room Furnishings
Every UNC residence hall room includes:
- Twin XL mattress and adjustable bed frame (can be bunked or lofted)
- Five-drawer dresser (one per resident)
- Wardrobe/closet space (one per resident)
- Desk and chair (one per resident)
- Small recycling bin (large bins outside each community)
- Wireless internet access
Built-in furniture exists in Avery, Hinton James, Craige, and Ehringhaus, with dressers, wardrobes, and desks integrated into wall units.
Laundry and Cleaning Services
Free laundry facilities operate in every UNC residence hall and neighboring buildings within your residential community. Carolina Housing residents use the KioSoft CampusView app (school code: FLS1200) to check machine availability and receive cycle notifications.
Housekeeping staff clean public areas and hall/suite bathrooms Monday-Friday. However, residents of Craige North, Hardin, Koury, Horton, Morrison supersuites, and Ram Village must clean their bathrooms and provide toilet paper.
Dining and Meal Plans
Carolina Dining Services operates two main dining halls and over 20 campus locations. UNC dining halls offer various meal plan options, including Meal Swipes, Plus Swipes, and Flex dollars to accommodate different eating preferences and schedules.
Technology Support
ResNET provides free on-site IT support, educational programs, and printing stations in every residential community.
CCI printers are available throughout UNC dorms with allocated printing fees for each student. Visit housing.unc.edu > Fix My Tech for technical assistance.
Students receive wireless internet in rooms, with wired Ethernet available upon request. Compatible devices include Amazon Alexa, Amazon FireTV, Apple TV, gaming systems, and Roku. However, smart switches, Google Home, Chromecast, and Sonos are not supported.
UNC Move-In Day 2025 Parking and Transportation
UNC move-in day 2025 parking requires careful planning due to limited spaces and heavy traffic. Carolina Housing provides designated parking areas for each residence hall with temporary permits at no cost.
Parking Strategy
Arrive early in your assigned 90-minute appointment slot to secure parking spots closest to your building. UNC campus shuttle services run continuously during college move-in day to transport belongings from distant parking areas.
Chapel Hill NC traffic increases significantly during the college move-in weekend. Franklin Street area parking offers alternatives during peak times, though you’ll need to transport belongings farther.
Transportation Options
RDU airport to UNC takes approximately 30 minutes by car, making it convenient for out-of-state families. Charlotte to Chapel Hill requires about 2.5 hours by car. UNC also offers Tar Heel Bikes, a bike-sharing program for students who prefer cycling around campus.
Students bringing personal bicycles should register them for free with UNC Police and purchase quality U-locks for security. Bike racks are located outside every residence hall.
Making the Most of Your UNC Move-In Day 2025 Experience
Welcome Week and Orientation
Freshman orientation activities begin immediately after UNC move-in day 2025, with welcome week events throughout the first week of classes.
UNC student organizations showcase opportunities during the student involvement fair, helping you find your place in the campus community.
Building Community Connections
Your residence advisor serves as a valuable resource for advice and support during your adjustment period.
Floor community activities help you meet neighbors and build friendships. Attend as many welcome week events as possible to discover new interests and connect with fellow students.
Academic and Campus Resources
UNC recreation center facilities become available immediately, offering fitness equipment, swimming pools, rock climbing walls, and group exercise classes.
UNC campus Wi-Fi reaches all residence halls, and computer labs provide study spaces throughout UNC dorms.
Chapel Hill attractions like Franklin Street shops and restaurants are within walking distance of most UNC residence halls, providing entertainment and dining options beyond campus facilities.
Residence Hall Association (RHA) and Campus Involvement
The Residence Hall Association welcomes over 9,000 residents with programming, advocacy, and recognition opportunities. RHA offers various involvement levels:
- Executive Board positions
- Community Governor roles
- Community Government Participation
- External boards (Marketing, Collaboration, Programming)
- Residence Hall Renaming Committee
- Environmental Health Conservation Committee
RHA also provides helpful transition resources through preferred vendors, including microfridge rentals and care packages. Follow @RHA_UNC on Instagram or visit rha.unc.edu for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About UNC Move-In Day 2025
How do I make my UNC move-in day 2025 appointment?
Log in to UNC MyHousingPortal with your ONYEN and password when your building’s registration opens. Select an available appointment between August 13-17. You can reschedule up to 24 hours before your selected time.
What’s included in my UNC residence hall room?
Carolina Housing provides a Twin XL mattress and an adjustable bed frame, a five-drawer dresser, a wardrobe, a desk and chair, wireless internet, and a small recycling bin. Built-in furniture exists in Avery, Hinton James, Craige, and Ehringhaus.
Can I change my roommate or room assignment?
Following the first two weeks of the semester, students may submit room change requests through the housing portal. Options depend on availability. Visit the Reassignment Request page for details.
Do I need renters’ insurance for my belongings?
UNC does not endorse specific insurance programs but highly recommends coverage for student property. Check with your insurance agent about homeowner’s policy coverage and limitations for property away from your principal residence.
How will I be billed for UNC-Chapel Hill housing?
The University Cashier’s Office handles housing billing, not Carolina Housing directly. Visit the University Cashier website for billing details and payment information.
What’s my campus mailing address?
Find your mailing address in MyHousingPortal under “My Assignment.” Mail routes automatically to Package Centers zoned for each building. You’ll receive email notifications when packages arrive for pickup.
Are there early arrival options for UNC move-in day 2025?
Students needing to arrive before August 13 must submit the Early Arrival Request Form through MyHousingPortal by July 14. This applies to student organization members, athletes, and international students.
What campus resources are available immediately after move-in?
UNC recreation center, UNC dining halls, computer labs, printing stations, and ResNET technical support are available immediately. Carolina Dining Services operates throughout campus with various meal plan options.
For additional questions, visit housing.unc.edu, email housing@unc.edu, or call 919-962-5401. Carolina Housing staff work diligently to make your arrival as comfortable and convenient as possible.
Welcome to your new home at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill!
