Get ready to settle into your new home at Widener—here’s everything you need to know for a smooth and stress-free move-in.
Whether you’re arriving as a first-year, transfer, or returning student, now’s the time to get ready. From when and where to check in to what to pack and what to expect, here’s everything you need to feel prepared and confident heading into move-in day.
Kick off your move-in by choosing your student type:
*Please note: if you are part of an early arrival group, such as fall varsity team, you will receive separate move-in information and instructions.
Move-in day comes with a lot of moving pieces – literally! We’ve developed a streamlined process to help welcome first-year students on their assigned move-in day.
Check-In
Proceed to the Schwartz Athletic Complex located off the corner of 17th St. and Melrose Ave. If you will have more than one vehicle to unload, all vehicles must arrive and check-in together; if one car arrives before another, gather in the Meet-Up Lot in front of the Pride Rec Center before proceeding to Check-In. Once all vehicles are ready, make sure you – the student – are in the lead vehicle (preferably as a passenger) and proceed to Check-In in the Schwartz Lot.
During check-in, you will receive your student ID, room key, and Orientation schedule. Each vehicle in your party will also receive a dashboard placard to serve as the official pass to enter the Unloading Zone, which you are permitted to go through only once.
We kindly ask that you adhere to your assigned move-in arrival window to ensure a smooth and speedy move-in for yourself and all students. Check your Widener email and the StarRez housing portal to review your assigned date and time.
We anticipate your time from check-in to lifting the final box to be approximately 1 hour from start to finish but ask that you budget 2 hours in case of unexpected delays.
Unloading Zone
Follow signs and verbal directions from Campus Safety officers to your assigned Unloading Zone, where you will be greeted by a team of volunteers with large moving bins (and large smiles!) to help unload your belongings. Drivers must remain in the vehicles while passengers and volunteers unload. Once the bins are full and your vehicle(s) are empty, drivers will be instructed to exit the area and park in a designated lot while passengers and volunteers roll bins to the appropriate residence hall.
Move-In
When you and your items arrive to your residence hall, one of our volunteers will show you where to park the moving bins, inform you which building entrance and stairwell to use, and assign a team of Pride Movers to assist with transporting belongings from the moving bin to your residence hall room!
Hospitality
All that moving will probably leave you needing a break. Take a break in the lounge of your residence hall, speak to a volunteer who can help answer your questions, or borrow a tool to help assemble furniture or hang decorations! Hydration stations are available outside near each unloading zone.
Students and their loved ones are also invited to enjoy a complimentary meal in the Pride Café, located in the University Center, on their assigned move-in day. Students will be able to swipe their ID at the Pride Café using their meal plan. All guests must be with their student to gain entry.
Tips for a Great Day
Jump Ahead:
New, first-year students are given a move in day assigned on either Monday, August 18 or Tuesday, August 19.
All new, first-year students are assigned a move in date and time based on their housing assignment. This information will be posted in the StarRez portal and emailed by the Office of Student Living in late July. (These dates do not pertain to students who are assigned to an early arrival group, such as fall varsity athletes. Early arrival students will receive separate move-in information and instructions.)
Every first-year residential student received an email from the Office of Student Living with an assigned move in date and time on either Monday, August 18 or Tuesday, August 19 between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
First-year students will move-in during an assigned time period based on your residential neighborhood community and building. Please check your StarRez portal or Widener email for your assigned move-in time from the Office of Student Living.
Students and families are asked to strictly adhere to their assigned move-in time to help expedite and accommodate all students and families moving in.
First-year students will report to the Schwartz Athletic Complex parking lot to check-in at their assigned move-in time. Students will receive their ID and keys at check in.
The check-in process is a drive-thru format and does not require students or their families to exit their vehicles. After participating in the drive-thru check-in, you will be directed to an unloading area for your building.
You can expect to have support and guidance throughout your entire first-year move-in experience! From start to finish, our team of enthusiastic student and staff volunteers will be onsite to support and guide you every step of the way.
When it comes to time to unload your belongings, our volunteer staff will be equipped with moving bins to help you transport items to your room. During the unloading process, the driver of the vehicle will not exit the vehicle. When the vehicle is unloaded, the driver will move the car to our long-term parking lots and rejoin their party in their residence hall room.
Members of the Student Living Team and university representatives will also be available inside the residence halls to provide support as needed.
After move in, all first-year students will participate in Pride Experience 2: Fall Orientation, a series of engaging sessions and activities where you'll meet classmates, get connected to campus life, and learn the ins and outs of being a Widener student.
Visit the Pride Experience 2: Fall Orientation for the full schedule and helpful FAQs.
From I-95 North: use Exit 6 (routes 320 and 352). At first traffic light, turn left onto Edgemont Avenue and go over the bridge. Bear right onto Providence Ave. at the fork. Continue straight for approximately half of a mile and turn right onto E 19th St. Travel approximately a quarter of a mile and turn right onto Melrose Ave. At the intersection of 17th St. and Melrose Ave., turn left onto 17th St. and travel down the road toward the athletic complex. Follow signs for "Check-In."
From I-95 South: use Exit 6. Bear right at the off ramp. Turn right onto Walnut Street. Continue straight for approximately a quarter of a mile and turn right onto E 19th St. Travel three blocks, then turn right onto Melrose Ave. At the intersection of 17th St. and Melrose Ave., turn left onto 17th St. and travel down the road toward the athletic complex. Follow signs for "Check-In."
Visit the Maps & Directions page for more directions to campus.
Jump Ahead:
The Drop and Go Program is an optional experience designed to allow first-year residential students to drop off large, packed boxes and bulky items ahead of our official move-in days on August 18 and August 19.
The program will take place on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with the last drop-off window at 1:30 p.m.
On July 9, students were emailed an invitation to register for a 30-minute window on August 15 or 16 to drop off items, see their room, and meet the Student Living team. (Registration closed on August 1). Rooms will be opened by Student Living staff for drop off but locked afterward; keys will be distributed on your designated move-in day. Students must leave campus after their time slot to allow space for the next group.
Drop and Go allows early delivery of bulky items only, without unpacking or staying in the residence halls. Move-In Day is the official, required process for students to move in permanently, receive keys, and settle into their rooms on Monday, August 18 or Tuesday, August 19.
You can participate in both the optional Drop and Go Program and the required Move-In day program.
No, participation in this program is optional for all first-year residential students.
You should prioritize bulky or cumbersome items you won’t need before move-in, such as TVs, micro fridges (remember you can rent one delivered to your room), bedding, area rugs, packed suitcases, cleaning supplies, décor, and items requiring assembly. Coordinate with roommates to avoid duplicates.
No. The Drop and Go program is designed for exactly that -- to drop your big items and then go enjoy the rest of your weekend!
The program is meant to alleviate the stress and heavy lifting associated with move-in by allowing students to bring in large items ahead of time. During your 30-minute timeslot, you will have the opportunity to assess your living space and better plan for your first-year experience in the residence halls.
Yes. A representative (parent, guardian, or friend) can drop off items on your behalf if registered and with the necessary room information.
Room keys are distributed only on Move-In Day. During Drop and Go, Student Living staff will unlock and lock rooms for you.
All dropped items remain locked in your room, monitored by campus security with 24/7 surveillance and controlled building access.
Your items will already be in your room, ready to unpack and set up, making your official move-in smoother and faster.
Do: Register for a time, label your belongings with name and room number, bring only one or two helpers, and ask questions of resident assistants if needed.
Don’t: Plan to unpack or set up your room, make shopping trips during your time slot, or bring too many helpers.
What time can I move into my residence hall for the fall 2025 semester?
Transfer students, starting in the fall semester, will move into their fall housing assignment from 3 – 5 p.m. on Friday, August 15 after their orientation program.
If a transfer student doesn’t wish to move into their residence hall on August 16, then they are welcome to move in with our returning students on Sunday, August 24 between the hours of 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where do I check in to my residence halls?
Transfer students, starting in the fall semester, will begin the residence hall check-in process in the Main Atrium of the University Center on Friday, August 15 at 3 p.m.
After picking up their key and ID, students will be directed to an unloading zone. Students wishing to check in during our returning student move-in days on Sunday, August 24 will also begin the check-in process in the University Center Atrium.
What can I expect during move-in?
Students will have access to a limited number of move-in bins and handcarts during our transfer student move-in day. After the student checks in at the University Center, they will be directed to their residence hall and room.
What time can I move into my residence hall for the fall 2025 semester?
Returning students, not affiliated with an approved early arrival group, will move into their residence halls on Saturday, August 23 or Sunday, August 24 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Returning students may also check into the halls the week of August 25 during normal business hours, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, by visiting the Office of Student Living.
Where do I check in to my residence halls?
Students will begin their check-in process in the Main Atrium of the University Center starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 23 or Sunday, August 24.
What can I expect during move-in?
Returning students will have access to a limited number of carts and hand carts available to sign out from the check-in location at the University Center.
All carts must be returned to the University Center by the student who signed out the cart.
Dive into helpful FAQs about move-in, housing options, what’s allowed in your room, and how to make your space feel like home.
University Center