Packing, Unloading, and Settling into College
Unloading & Moving In
TIP: Consider waiting to bring your winter clothing until later in the semester!
BONUS TIP: Your family can always bring things with them when they visit for Family Weekend!
Once you’re all moved in and have assessed the things you need, you can always make a store run if it's something that can't wait!
TIP: To help make move-in day run smoothly, be sure to label all your bags and boxes with your hall and room number!
For Example, Duke Dog is moving into Huffman Hall, Room A101; he will tag his bags in the following way:
Duke Dog
Huffman - A101
TIP: To make things fit in your car easier, consider unboxing new items before you leave home! This will help you consolidate and will make for less recycling and trash bin trips on move-in day!
Assembled boxes containing other packaging or trash take up more space and can create hazards by overflowing trash rooms and dumpsters, blocking exits, and contaminating recycling efforts.
- Empty all boxes of any packaging or other contents
- Foam should be put in a dumpster, not recycling
- Flatten boxes and stack in the area designated by the location below:
- Village Halls (not including Potomac Hall) and Eagle Hall:
- Boxes should be empty, flattened, and stacked next to the dumpster.
- All other Residence Halls:
- Boxes should be empty, flattened, and stacked in trash/recycling rooms.
- Village Halls (not including Potomac Hall) and Eagle Hall:
Campus Driving Directions and Parking Info:
Please follow each residence hall’s specific driving directions during move-in to create a smooth move-in process for everyone. Parking information is also included for each hall.
JMU move-in staff, volunteers, and/or JMU Police will guide you throughout move-in for unloading and parking afterward.
U-hauls/Trailers/Box Trucks:
TIP: Do NOT bring a U-haul, Trailer, or Box Truck to Move-In!
U-hauls/Trailers/Box Trucks cannot be accommodated at move-in due to limited parking or grass-only parking. If you bring U-hauls/Trailers/Box Trucks, you will be parked away from your hall at a distance and must move all of your belongings on your own without the assistance of FROGs/Staff.
Handcarts/Moving Carts:
TIP: Bring a handcard or dolly with you!
Moving carts will not be available on move-in day.
You will need your JACard at your Hall check-in, so make sure it's in an easy-to-reach spot.
Reference your One Book to learn more about securing your JACard.
Getting Settled in your Residence Hall
We're here for you!
Your Resident Adviser(s) (RAs) and Hall Director (HD) are always available and are there to help you with adjusting to college life.
RAs are dynamic leaders on a floor of residents who create positive communities and coordinate fun and educational events to enhance the campus living experience. Hall Directors (HDs) manage the residence halls and supervise the RAs.
TIP: Building a relationship with our hall staff will give you a support system unlike any other!
If you're living in a hall without air conditioning in your bedroom, don't worry! Crisp fall air will be here before you know it.
Until then, here are some TIPS after years of practice:
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To maximize air flow in your room, both you and your roommate can bring a fan
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TIP: Place a box fan in your window with the fan facing outwards. This will pull the hot air out of your room, leaving cooler air inside. Have another fan in your room to circulate the cooler air in your room.
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TIP: Hang out in your hall’s TV Lounge. Soak in the air conditioning while hanging out and making new friends!
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TIP: Drink lots of cold water. Staying hydrated is important no matter where you are, but especially at JMU August Move-In!
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TIP: Need a bit of a break? Visit other places on campus - The Student Success Center, The Union, Festival, or UREC all have a/c and you can go with your new college friends!
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Air conditioning window units and personal air coolers are prohibited.
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All suites and common areas in Eagle Hall, Shorts Hall, and The Village (excluding Potomac Hall, completed in 2025) have a/c units
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Check our HVAC page to learn about your hall's specific HVAC system and how to properly use it
JMU students are expected to maintain a high level of maturity, responsibility, and common sense regarding their behaviors and actions.
Students are responsible for understanding:
- Hall policies
- Rules and regulations contained in the JMU Student Handbook
- Their JMU Residential Contract
- The JMU Honor Code
- Information from Residence Hall staff members
TIP: Students should contact their resident adviser or hall director if they have questions.
