Hall Specifics & Move-In Information
Arriving at Move-In
You will have the opportunity to complete an inspection of your room when you move in.
All students with housing assignments can access the electronic Room Condition Form (RCF) through the Online Housing Portal
It will be used as a tool to measure the condition of the room when you move out. Examining the RCF when you check in and confirming the condition of the room will help you avoid unwarranted damage charges at the end of the year. If there are damages in your room and they are not noted on the check-in RCF, you could be held financially responsible for repairs after check out.
Is something not quite right with your room upon your arrival?
Specifics Items
JMU has a partnership with MicroFridge.
Micro-Fridge is a fridge + freezer + microwave combo with a safety plug & smoke sensor
More Information can be found on our MicroFridge Partnership Page
This is the ONLY MicroFridge allowed in JMU Residence Halls
No microwaves are allowed in JMU residence halls other than MicroFridge
No more than 1 MicroFridge is permitted in the same room (1 per room)
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IF YOU RENT A MICROFRIDGE:
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ONE additional mini-fridge is permitted only
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If you are in a Village Suite (not applicable to Potomac Hall):
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ONE MicroFridge/Mini-Fridge is ALSO permitted per suite
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- The policy remains the same of 1 MicroFridge per room, 1 Mini-Fridge per Resident
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IF YOU RENT/BUY/BRING A MINI-FRIDGE:
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ONE additional mini-fridge is permitted in your room, OR
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ONE MicroFridge from the above-listed company ONLY
- The policy remains the same of 1 MicroFridge per room, 1 Mini-Fridge per Resident
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Microwaves are NOT permitted in the residence halls unless it is a MicroFridge
Airfryers, of any kind, are NOT permitted.
All Residence Halls have a community kitchen in which a minimum of one microwave is available for resident use.
A loft bed is any temporary structure or device that is intended to elevate a single sleeping surface from floor level so that it creates additional floor space in a room.
If you are lofting your bed with a loft kit/custom build, please make sure you are meeting our Loft Policies.
Please be aware that storage is not available for furniture pieces that are not used.
If you choose to loft your bed, we strongly recommend utilizing safety rails for your bed.
You may bring your own safety rails or request them (request must come from the student) by submitting a request through the Online Housing Portal
James Madison University Order Pickup Information:
Orders placed by August 17, 2025, will be available for pickup on campus during move-in:- Friday, August 15
- 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday, August 16
- 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday, August 17
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Location: D3 Parking Lot at 591 Soccer Field Service Dr.
Technology & Insurance
Internet service is available in all residence halls through ResNet provided by Boldyn Networks.
Both wireless and wired internet access are available. There is one Ethernet port per resident in their room. If residents prefer to connect their computers to a wall-mounted Ethernet port, they should bring a network cable.
Residence halls have a cable TV connection in each student room and in the hall lounge. Students must bring a coaxial cable. Our halls also have Stream2, allowing students to stream TV shows, movies, and sports from their phones, laptops, and other Wi-Fi-connected devices.
Televisions are not to be mounted on any walls or university furniture.
Registration and Set-Up instructions for Wireless Internet AND Stream2 can be found here
Residents should not bring wireless routers/hubs/servers etc. for use in the residence halls as these items are prohibited.
A Note about Printers:
Wireless printing on campus is very different from printing at home. At home, your printer is easy to find on a small, secure network. At JMU, thousands of devices share the network, including hundreds of printers, making it hard to find the right one. Because the network is open, anyone can see and print to any printer. Also, printer IP addresses can change, making them even harder to track.
A Note about Appliances/Electronics:
Appliances, coffee pots with automatic shut-off, desk lamps, radios, stereos, cable-ready televisions, UL-approved hot pots, and Blu-ray/DVD players are all fine to bring with you, but coordinate with your roommate first so you won't have two of everything. All appliances not plugged directly into a wall receptacle must be plugged directly into a surge protector with circuit protection. For more information on appliances, read through our Residence Life Policies & Fines Guide.
Any items not listed are up to the discretion of Residence Life (please feel free to reach out to us about specific items to avoid fines)
Surge protectors without reset/on or off switches are not permitted. These can come in all kinds of configurations.
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Examples: Cube adapter, which looks more like a square with 6 plugs usually, but no on/off switch, a smaller looking power strip with 3 plugs and USB ports, but no on/off switch.
Only circuit-protected surge protectors are permitted.
Circuit protection means that it needs to have a reset/on-off switch.
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“Reset” is another word for “on”; reset means the surge protector is reset/on and functioning normally with the electrical load plugged into it.
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If the electrical load becomes too much, then the surge protector will switch to the off position and at that point needs to be turned back to the reset/on position.
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Any kind of device with a USB-only plug with charging capability is permitted, per the state fire marshal. Examples: lamps, alarm clocks. However, if there is an electrical outlet embedded within these types of items, then it is not permitted. Example: bed risers.
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The university cannot be held accountable for the loss, damage, or theft of any student's personal property. All students are encouraged to carry their own insurance coverage. Your family's homeowner or tenant insurance may provide coverage or you can arrange for personal property insurance through a private agency. Visit the National Student Services Incorporated website for more information about Theft, Fire, and Accident Insurance for students.
Peace of mind protection for your college student! Worth Ave. Group offers College Plus student property insurance that can protect student property and housing structures in the event of a loss or damage!
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.
