Spring Closing 2026
Move Out Deadline
Students must check out by 4pm on Friday, June 12, 2026. Please be sure to follow our checkout instructions.
Failure to check out by the deadline will result in an improper checkout fee and other avoidable charges.
Pack Early
Don’t wait until final’s week to start packing and cleaning! If you start early and pack a little each day, it will make your checkout much easier. Tip: If you are headed home over Memorial Day weekend, take some stuff with you! Unlike fall move-in, we don’t have student volunteers available to help you move out.
Mail/Packages
Avoid having mail or packages sent to campus during finals week. Due to the short delivery timeframe, items may not arrive before the end of the week. Be sure to check for any mail/packages BEFORE you move out.
Quick Links
Checkout Instructions
Failure to meet checkout deadlines, complete your room inspection, or follow the proper checkout procedure below can result in an improper checkout fee. Residents are responsible for turning in their keys as part of the checkout process. Keys not returned will result in a charge to your account.
Checkouts may take upwards of two weeks to process while we thoroughly inspect the vacated space and ensure the most accurate billing for our residents.
Once you determine your checkout date, make an appointment at least 24 hours in advance to have your room inspected by your resident adviser. If you are unable to reach your RA, contact your Resident Director.
Failure to schedule a room checkout may result in an improper checkout fee.
Discuss responsibility for any damage that occurred while you were living in your room and/or suite. Charges for cleaning, damage, missing items or trash disposal are automatically split between roommates/suitemates unless you clarify individual responsibility at the time of inspection.
You are expected to leave your room clean, empty and properly assembled for the next person to move in. Clean your share of your room and/or suite; responsibly dispose of your trash, recyclables and reusable items. Remove all belongings. Any personal belongings left behind will be bag-and-tag at your expense.
Your resident advisor will assess the condition of your room while you are present. Failure to complete your room inspection could result in an improper checkout fee.
Return all keys and check out at your front desk. Do one final check for any mail and packages if you haven't already. Please note that desk hours are adjusted during finals week, so be sure to check the hours. For desk hours, visit your community page.
Keys not returned during checkout will result in charges up to $600 for a rekey and applied to your student account. We will not accept keys turned in after checkout.
If you are moving out of a residence hall, your meal plan will automatically terminate on the day you check out. Using your meal plan after your checkout date will result in additional charges.
Make sure you double check for any mail and packages BEFORE moving out. If you are moving off of campus completely, inform Western of your new mailing address by updating Web4U; please wait 3-5 business days after checking out before you make this change. Please also note that Mail Services cannot forward any mail or packages to a new address after you move out. Any items that arrive for non-residents are 'returned to sender' and the student is responsible for contacting the original sender.
Parking Instructions
To accommodate packing and loading of cars for all residential students, including those who do not have current parking permits, Transportation Services will provide easy steps to get move-out visitor permits valid in the resident (R) lots. We encourage you to plan and share this information with anyone who may be helping you move out.
Move-Out Visitor Parking & Permit Rules will be in effect beginning Thursday, June 4, 2026, and will continue through Finals Week, ending Sunday, June 14, 2026. During all other dates and times, standard parking rules are enforced.
On the day you park on campus, open the ParkMobile App and follow the steps to complete the purchase of a permit using the MOVE-OUT ZONE NUMBER: 1242.
For more information, please visit Move-Out Parking.
Navigating the narrow roads on the Ridge can be difficult during move out. Follow our tips below to make your move out as smooth as possible!
- Aim to move out 24 hours after your last final. The Ridge parking lot gets congested in the latter part of finals week, so moving out as early as possible can help with congestion.
- Consider leaving during "down times" (which are typically early in the week & early mornings).
- No parking in walkways. Walkways are used by pedestrians of all abilities, and parking in walkways may make it more difficult for folks to get around the Ridge.
- Follow all traffic signs. Some roads on the Ridge are one-way. Attempting to go the wrong way may cause longer delays in leaving.
- Try and spend no more than 30 minutes in front of your building to help ease traffic. If you're still packing, consider parking in the C lot, then moving your vehicle over to your building only when you are ready to load it. Move your vehicle back to the C lot after loading while you clean and return your keys.
- No parking in reserved spaces. These spaces are for emergencies, and handicap spaces are for folks who are differently abled.
Please have patience and be kind. Remember, everyone else is trying to move out just like you are!
Reuse Program Returns: Return by 2pm, June 12, 2026
Borrowed an item through the Residence Hall Reuse Program? Review the return instructions for your specific community below. Return window is May 26 to 2pm on June 12, 2026. Failure to properly complete the instructions below will result in a charge to your Western account. Questions? Email ResidencesFacilities@wwu.edu.
1. Prepare your item(s):
- Remove personal items and thoroughly clean each rental unit to avoid charges. Cleaning should be done to all internal surfaces and please ensure that the microwave glass plate is also cleaned.
- If you have a mini fridge, please be sure to unplug the power cord for 24 hours to properly defrost the unit prior to returning it. Wipe down any remaining residue once defrosted. Failure to do so may result in additional charges.
2. Bring your item(s) to the designated location and take a photo:
- Clark Glass item drop off is the 5th floor elevator lobby in the area shown below.
- Check out a hand cart from the Ridge Desk (RC 127) to move your item if needed.
- Take a photo of your item(s) at the drop off area (green box below).
3. Visit the Ridge Desk (RC 127) to process the return (provide photo evidence):
- From May 26-June 9, desk hours are 1-pm
- From June 10-June 11, desk hours are 10am-9pm
- On June 12, desk hours are 10am-4pm (please return before 2pm this day)
4. Watch for item return confirmation email:
- Once your item(s) is returned properly, you’ll receive a “Return in Process” email and final confirmation after you move out.
Failure to properly complete the instructions above will result in a charge to your Western account.
1. Prepare your item(s):
- Remove personal items and thoroughly clean each rental unit to avoid charges. Cleaning should be done to all internal surfaces and please ensure that the microwave glass plate is also cleaned.
- If you have a mini fridge, please be sure to unplug the power cord for 24 hours to properly defrost the unit prior to returning it. Wipe down any remaining residue once defrosted. Failure to do so may result in additional charges.
2. Bring your item(s) to the designated location and take a photo:
- Fairhaven item drop off is the Fairhaven Game Room in the area shown below.
- Check out a hand cart from the Fairhaven Desk (FA 123A) to move your item if needed.
- Take a photo of your item(s) at the drop off area (green box below).
3. Visit the Fairhaven Desk (FA 123A) to process the return (provide photo evidence):
- From May 26-June 9, desk hours are 1-pm
- From June 10-June 11, desk hours are 10am-9pm
- On June 12, desk hours are 10am-4pm (please return before 2pm this day)
4. Watch for item return confirmation email:
- Once your item(s) is returned properly, you’ll receive a “Return in Process” email and final confirmation after you move out.
Failure to properly complete the instructions above will result in a charge to your Western account.
1. Prepare your item(s):
- Remove personal items and thoroughly clean each rental unit to avoid charges. Cleaning should be done to all internal surfaces and please ensure that the microwave glass plate is also cleaned.
- If you have a mini fridge, please be sure to unplug the power cord for 24 hours to properly defrost the unit prior to returning it. Wipe down any remaining residue once defrosted. Failure to do so may result in additional charges.
2. Bring your item(s) to the designated location and take a photo:
- Mathes item drop off is the basement lounge (MA 018) in the area shown below.
- Check out a hand cart from the North Desk (HG 178) to move your item if needed.
- Take a photo of your item(s) at the drop off area (green box below).
3. Visit the North Desk (HG 178) to process the return (provide photo evidence):
- From May 26-June 9, desk hours are 1-pm
- From June 10-June 11, desk hours are 10am-9pm
- On June 12, desk hours are 10am-4pm (please return before 2pm this day)
4. Watch for item return confirmation email:
- Once your item(s) is returned properly, you’ll receive a “Return in Process” email and final confirmation after you move out.
Failure to properly complete the instructions above will result in a charge to your Western account.
1. Prepare your item(s):
- Remove personal items and thoroughly clean each rental unit to avoid charges. Cleaning should be done to all internal surfaces and please ensure that the microwave glass plate is also cleaned.
- If you have a mini fridge, please be sure to unplug the power cord for 24 hours to properly defrost the unit prior to returning it. Wipe down any remaining residue once defrosted. Failure to do so may result in additional charges.
2. Bring your item(s) to the North Desk (located in Higginson):
- Check out a hand cart from the North Desk (HG 178) to move your item if needed.
- Drop of your item(s) at the North Desk during desk hours in the area shown below (green box).
- From May 26-June 9, desk hours are 1-pm
- From June 10-June 11, desk hours are 10am-9pm
- On June 12, desk hours are 10am-4pm (please return before 2pm this day)
3. Watch for item return confirmation email:
- Once your item(s) is returned properly, you’ll receive a “Return in Process” email and final confirmation after you move out.
Failure to properly complete the instructions above will result in a charge to your Western account.
1. Prepare your item(s):
- Remove personal items and thoroughly clean each rental unit to avoid charges. Cleaning should be done to all internal surfaces and please ensure that the microwave glass plate is also cleaned.
- If you have a mini fridge, please be sure to unplug the power cord for 24 hours to properly defrost the unit prior to returning it. Wipe down any remaining residue once defrosted. Failure to do so may result in additional charges.
2. Bring your item(s) to the designated location and take a photo:
- Ridgeway item drop off is the Ridgeway Commons hallway near dining hall stairway (RC 134) in the area shown below.
- Check out a hand cart from the Ridge Desk (RC 127) to move your item if needed.
- Take a photo of your item(s) at the drop off area (green box below).
3. Visit the Ridge Desk (RC 127) to process the return (provide photo evidence):
- From May 26-June 9, desk hours are 1-pm
- From June 10-June 11, desk hours are 10am-9pm
- On June 12, desk hours are 10am-4pm (please return before 2pm this day)
4. Watch for item return confirmation email:
- Once your item(s) is returned properly, you’ll receive a “Return in Process” email and final confirmation after you move out.
Failure to properly complete the instructions above will result in a charge to your Western account.
Dispose of Trash, Compost, Recyclables
Take out trash, recycling, and compost. Please rinse out your compost bin and leave it in your room for our staff to collect in the summer. Do this as early as possible to ensure the waste depots near your residence hall do not overflow.
Donate Unwanted Items
Housing Sustainability and the AS Recycling Center will be collaborating to collect unwanted items from students during move out. Donations of clean items in good condition can be dropped off in the appropriately labeled blue and green bins and marked areas around the residence halls. Review accepted items below:
BLUE BINS: Item donations
- Clothing & shoes
- Unopened cleaning & hygiene supplies
- Small electronics & appliances
- Storage items, lamps, mirrors
- Towels, bedding, books, school supplies
- Non-upholstered furniture
Place oversized items in designated areas. Do not donate mattress toppers.
GREEN BINS: Food & hygiene product donations
- Unopened, non-perishable food
- Unused hygiene products
Dining Services
Dining will be operating on during Finals Week. For a full list of dining hours during Prep Week and Finals Week please visit Dine On Campus.
You can spend your Dining Dollars at any open dining location through Friday, June 12. Check your balance via Transact eAccounts.
Address Update
Mail is delivered daily until Friday, June 12. You must properly check out and hand in your keys at your building desk. This allows you to change your default shipping address online, update your address in Web4U, and notify your friends and family.
Be sure to check for any letter mail or packages at your community's front desk before leaving. Mail cannot be forwarded.
For more information visit Mail and Deliveries.
Personal Storage
Western does not offer student storage. If you have a lot of gear you don’t want to take home, you may want to arrange for personal storage.