Move In
Arrival Process
- Before arriving, make sure to sign-up for a move-in date and time on the move-in app, starting August 16th
- Official Fall Quarter 2023 Move-In is scheduled for Thursday, September 21st - Sunday, September 24th 2023. Early arrival may be an option if you are in a special program (follow your program’s specific arrival instructions).
- Come prepared with a government issued photo ID and your building/room number.
- Follow our move-in driving directions. These directions will guide you to your staging area (where cars queue up by one of three area check-in tents). Some areas may have a car line to wait in before you arrive at your staging area, so only cars that have been in the line are allowed into staging areas.
- Waiting here can be 20 minutes to several hours, so come prepared with patience, snacks and your cell phone.
- All vehicles in queue will receive a car tag.
- While in the car queue, students will take their official picture ID to the check-in tent and receive their keys and/or fob.
- Once your vehicle reaches your building unload zone, our crew of move-in volunteers help unload your car. Please note: a vehicle tag is required in the unload zone and you must leave one person with your vehicle at all times.
- Once your vehicle is unloaded, move it to one of the C-lots for long-term parking.
- If you arrive outside of your check-in slot, check-in at your community desk from 9am-9pm daily. If you arrive after-hours to check-in (from 9pm-9am), residents will contact their building’s after-hour line (posted around the hall). Park on campus in a 20-minute loading zone while you unpack then park in your assigned lot (parking permit required).
- Return to your hall to set up your room, meet your hall staff, and connect with other students!
Access to Your Building and Room
At check-in you will receive a set of keys and/or fob that gives you access to your community, building, room and mailbox. You are financially responsible for your keys/fobs. Lost or damaged keys/fobs create a security risk to you and your community and must be reported to your front desk immediately.
Don't Get a Parking Ticket
When you are finished unloading, move your car to one of WWU parking lots:
- Free parking available: C lot
- Pay to park: 6V, 7G and 14G lots
Visit Explore the Buildings to determine which campus neighborhood your building is in.
Weekend and Evening Arrivals
If you are arriving outside of posted move in times, go to your community desk. If the building is closed call the number posted outside for the RA on call for assistance checking in.
Directions
Staging Area A North Campus
Northbound on Interstate 5
- Take Exit 253 (Lakeway Dr)
- Turn right onto King St
- Turn right onto Lakeway Dr
- Continue on Lakeway Dr for .5 miles
- Bear right onto E Holly St
- Turn left onto Billy Frank Jr. St
- Turn left onto East Chestnut St
- Turn right onto Jersey St
- Follow signs and staff to your correct building's staging area
Southbound on Interstate 5
- Take Exit 253 (Lakeway Dr)
- Turn right onto Lakeway Dr
- Continue on Lakeway Dr for .3 miles
- Bear right onto E Holly St
- Turn left onto Billy Frank Jr. St
- Turn left onto East Chestnut St
- Turn right onto Jersey St
- Follow signs and staff to your correct building's staging area
Staging Area B Ridgeway
Northbound on Interstate 5
- Take Exit 252 (Samish Way, W Wash University)
- Turn left at stop sign onto Samish Way
- Turn left at light onto S Samish Way
- Turn left at light onto Bill McDonald Pkwy
- Continue on Bill McDonald Pkwy for 1 mile
- Follow signs to your building's staging area
Southbound on Interstate 5
- Take Exit 252 (Samish Way, W Wash University)
- Turn right onto Samish Way
- Turn left at next light onto Bill McDonald Pkwy
- Continue on Bill McDonald Pkwy for 1 mile
- Follow signs to your building's staging area
South Campus
Northbound on Interstate 5
- Take Exit 252 (Samish Way, W Wash University)
- Turn left at stop sign onto Samish Way
- Turn left at light onto S Samish Way
- Turn left at light onto Bill McDonald Pkwy
- Follow signs to your building's staging area
Southbound on Interstate 5
- Take Exit 252 (Samish Way, W Wash University)
- Turn right onto Samish Way
- Turn left at next light onto Bill McDonald Pkwy
- Follow signs to your building's staging area
Here's how to get to popular destinations from Western:
- Lakeway Center, including Lakeway Fred Meyer, catch Routes 190 or 196 from the Viking Union
- Sehome Village, including Haggen and Rite Aid, catch Routes 105, 107, 190 or 196 from the Viking Union
- Fairhaven (restaurants, shops, trails, etc.), catch Routes 14 or 105 from the Viking Union
- Downtown (restaurants, shops, trails, etc.), catch Routes 14, 105, 108, 190 or 197 from Haggard Hall
- To get to Target at Bellis Fair Mall, first go to downtown’s Bellingham Station (on Routes 14, 105, 108, 190 or 197 from Haggard Hall). From Bellingham Station, transfer to Routes 15 or 331.
- To get to Costco or Bakerview Fred Meyer, first go to downtown’s Bellingham Station (on Routes 14, 105, 108, 190 or 197 from Haggard Hall). From Bellingham Station, transfer to Route 50.
Questions? Visit www.ridewta.com. Plan your trip and track your bus in real time using BusTracker.
Free Bus Rides With Your Student ID!
Consider traveling all weekend on foot, by bike and by WTA bus. Your student I.D. card is your WTA bus pass. Family members can pay $1 cash per ride or pay via mobile app. This short video gives an overview of bus service to Western, and here are some general notes about riding WTA.
Resident Checkout Program
Before you buy, check out for free! Western’s Resident Checkout Program offers on-campus residents free short- and long-term checkouts of residence hall essentials, games, cleaning supplies, and more. For more information about current inventory and 2023-24 reservations, visit the RCP website.
Bed Options
Twin XL sheets will fit any of our mattresses on campus.
Rooms are configured as high singles with the exception of triple rooms which require lofts.
For disability accommodation, contact the Disability Access Center.
For more information, visit Bed Options.
Suggested Essentials
- Approved appliances: electric tea kettles, coffee makers, blenders, electric fans, air purifiers, rice cookers, microwave ovens up to 900w, mini-fridges no larger than 4.5 cubic feet.
- Clothing: plan for rain, snow and sun; bring warm layers, sensible shoes, rainproof jacket with hood, warm coat, waterproof boots, scarf, hat and gloves.
- Emergency kit with rechargeable flashlight
- Environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies
- Flashlight: plan for shorter daylight hours in the winter.
- Laundry gear: laundry bag, hamper or basket, detergent, hangers.
- Linens: extra-long twin sheets, mattress pad or topper, pillows, blankets, comforter, sleeping bag, towels.
- Medical: prescription medications, pain reliever, cold remedies, tissue, thermometer, antacid, allergy medicine.
- Official documents required for employment: Social Security card, passport, driver’s license, birth certificate.
- Personal technology: laptop, tablet or desktop computer, USB-connected printer, game console, TV, fire-safe surge protector.
- Security items: fireproof lockbox or locking storage chest, laptop cable lock.
- Storage: food, dishware, clothing, hangers, outdoor gear.
- Toiletries: shower caddy and bathroom supplies.
- Travel toolkit: half-inch socket wrench for bunking or lofting your bed.
- Face Coverings
Prohibited Items
- Firearms or weapons
- Flammable materials or explosives
- Hazardous appliances: electric hotplates, burners, toasters and toaster ovens (allowed in suites with kitchenettes), space heaters, electric blankets, halogen lamps over 300w, hover boards, any appliance that is not UL approved.
- Non-university beds or accessories
- Pets are prohibited, but fish in tanks under 10 gallons are allowed. Assistance animals are not considered pets.
- Wireless Routers
Assistance Animals
If you plan to bring a service dog or an emotional support animal, see Animals in Residence.
Connecting to the Internet
WiFi is provided throughout the residence halls and is included in your room rate.
Wireless routers are prohibited on our network. You can access the Internet through WWU WiFi using your universal login.
Note: wireless printers connected to our network can be seen and possibly used by other students. For more information, visit: restek.wwu.edu/get-online/other-devices.
Tech Support
Residential Technology Services (ResTek) provides technology education and support by phone and email on issues concerning Internet connectivity, game consoles and copyright law. For more information, visit ResTek.
Residential Computer Labs
Each community has access to a 24-hour computer lab.
Residential Dining Commons
All three dining commons will open starting with dinner on Thursday, September 21:
- North Campus: Viking Commons
- Ridgeway: Ridgeway Commons
- South Campus: Fairhaven Commons
Visit Dine On Campus and/or download the app for dining commons hours, menus, events, and more!
Viking Dollars are prepaid debit funds that go on your Western ID card for exclusive use at the cafés, markets or dining commons on campus. Purchases made with Viking Dollars are discounted 10 percent and food purchases are exempt from sales tax (another 8.7 percent). Purchase Viking Dollars at the Arntzen Atrium, Miller Market, Wilson Library Zoe’s, VU Market, Edens Hall 109, or online at Dine On Campus.
Each residential meal plan comes with a quarterly allowance of meals plus $221 Dining Dollars. Meals are available at any dining commons: swipe your Western ID card when you enter the commons and one all-you-care-to-eat meal will be deducted from your dining balance. Unused meals expire at the end of the quarter.
Dining Dollars may be spent in any of the campus cafés, markets, or dining commons and carry over from one quarter to the next. Meal plan changes can be made by visiting Dine On Campus. Upgrades are accepted anytime, and downgrades are accepted through the second Friday of each quarter.
- Apartment residents can purchase an optional meal plan at dineoncampus.com/WWU.
If you are living with food allergies, you are familiar with managing your health and wellness. Western works hard to provide the tools you need to maximize your dining experience on campus. We encourage you to meet with our registered dietitian and executive chef when you arrive on campus.
Room and board are billed to your student account before the start of each quarter, and your student account is accessible through MyWestern. Housing and meal plan rates are available at housing.wwu.edu.
The term of the Housing Agreement is the length of the academic year, or remainder thereof if you moved in midyear. Termination of occupancy before the last week of spring quarter may result in checkout penalties and a contract breakage fee. For more information, visit housing.wwu.edu/q/housing-agreement
As a member of the residential community, you are responsible for understanding and abiding by the residential policies and procedures, including the Housing Agreement, the Community Standards and Conduct Procedures. Before you move in, take the time to get familiar with the policies and procedures at housing.wwu.edu/living-on-campus/policies.
Students desiring a room change within the housing system can initiate a request with their Resident Director starting the third week of the quarter. Transfer requests may take several weeks or longer to fulfill depending upon current occupancy.
Once you register for classes, you are eligible for an official Western ID card. Your card covers:
- WWU official photo ID
- Swipe-access to your meal plan and Viking Dollars
- Student bus pass and shuttle
- Rec Center access
- Athletic events
- Library Services
For more information on Western Card, visit westerncard.wwu.edu.
Standard Amenities
Every room comes with WiFi, window coverings, a recycle bin, compost bucket and trash can. Standard furnishings for each student include: dresser or built-in drawers, closet or wardrobe for hanging clothes, a desk and a chair.
Laundry Facilities
Each residential community is equipped with energy-efficient front-loading washers and dryers. Laundry is included in your room cost. No laundry card, coins or tokens are required.
Housekeeping
Residents are responsible for the regular cleaning of their room, suite or apartment, including the proper disposal of trash and recyclables. Toilet paper is provided in the residence halls; Birnam Wood residents must provide their own toilet paper.
Suite style bathrooms:
You and your suitemates are also responsible for cleaning your bathroom. Environmentally friendly cleaning products are strongly encouraged.
Please note: suite-style bathrooms will be cleaned once per month.
Hallway style bathrooms:
Custodial staff clean your bathroom daily if you live in a building with community bathrooms.
Public Spaces
Custodians clean and disinfect public spaces at least three times per day.
Bringing a car to campus?
Make sure to sign up for a parking permit prior to arrival.
Visit the Parking Portal for more information.
Bicycles
Racks designated for bicycle storage are provided throughout campus and within each residential community. Bicycles stored anywhere else are subject to impound. To see the type of bike storage available in your building, go to Explore the Buildings. We also encourage you to register your bike with University Police.
Keep Your Stuff Safe
The University assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to your personal property from any cause. We strongly recommend you obtain Student Property Insurance or request Renters Insurance through your family insurance company.
Official Communication
Your WWU email is the University’s official method of communication. Housing staff regularly send official, time-sensitive communication by email. You are accountable for all information sent to your student email. You may set up email forwarding to redirect your Western email to a personal email account.
Receiving Mail & Packages
To ensure your mail successfully reaches your residence hall, address mail and packages as presented below, using your official first and last name. You should always use trackable, insured options when mailing cash or anything of value. When tracked items arrive, pickup notice is sent to your university email account.
For more details on resident mail, visit Mail & Deliveries | On-Campus Housing (wwu.edu)
Shipping Items Before You Arrive
It may be practical to ship some of your belongings in advance, especially if you are coming from another state or country.
Your Full Name
516 High Street
Hall Name + Room Number
Bellingham, WA 98225
- Packages are accepted a maximum of seven days prior to your arrival; any packages sent more than seven days in advance, may be returned to sender.
- To ensure proper delivery, address the package in the format presented above and use trackable insured options.