Santa Clara Move In and Move Out Guide for Parents

Move in weekend, Sept. 18 to 20

The Center for Student Involvement splits new student move in into three groups of 90 minutes each, starting at 8:30am, 10:00am and 11:30am. Your student's group comes from SCU, so check their email before you plan the drive from the airport or hotel.

Parking for move in is in the Main Parking Structure or the North Campus Parking Structure, and the page asks families to follow posted signs and the staff directing traffic. Parents are encouraged but not required to attend move in and Welcome Weekend.

After the boxes are in, the schedule belongs to the students. RLC Community Conversations happen the evening of Sept. 18, a community health and safety session is required on Sept. 19 or 20, and there are receptions and social events each evening. Returning students can move in from 9am on Saturday, Sept. 19, per the registrar calendar.

What the room comes with

The 2026 to 27 housing contract gives each resident one set of basic furniture: a desk, a chair, a bed with a mattress, and drawer space. Housing's move in page says beds in first year and sophomore buildings are extra long twin (38 by 80 inches), while University Villas have full size beds.

Housing tells students to bring their own sheets, blanket or comforter and pillow, plus towels, a shower caddy, hangers, an alarm clock, a study lamp, a laundry bag, and a flashlight with batteries. It also asks each student to keep three days of medication, water and dietary supplies for emergencies.

Small Energy Star microwaves, mini fridges up to 4.5 cubic feet, coffee pots and hot pots without exposed coils are allowed.

What to leave at home

The contract and Housing's move in page rule out:

• Candles of any kind, including unburned decorative ones, and incense
• Halogen torchiere lamps, sunlamps, space heaters, hot plates, toaster ovens, crockpots, air conditioners and ceiling fans
• Cooking knives (desks lend them out)
• Amplified instruments and drums, which Housing says will be confiscated and must be shipped home
• Weapons, including BB guns, air guns, paint pellet guns, stun guns, martial arts tools and fireworks

During the year

Halls stay open over Thanksgiving and spring break, according to the contract. Winter break is different: every hall except University Villas closes, and the registrar lists 9pm on Friday, Dec. 11 as closing time.

Move out in June 2027

For first year and returning residents, the housing contract ends at 9pm on the last day of spring finals, which is Thursday, June 10. Graduating students have until noon on Sunday, June 13. Housing asks every resident to leave within 24 hours of their last final and no later than their building's close date.

Checking out properly means removing all belongings, returning every key, cleaning the room, and submitting the check out portion of the Room Inventory. Missing the assigned check out date can bring a $250 improper check out fee. Anything left behind may be removed or stored by Housing at the student's expense.

Storage and shipping home

Families generally choose among a few routes: shipping boxes home with a carrier such as USPS, UPS or FedEx, renting a self storage unit in Santa Clara or San Jose, or packing the car.

If your student plans to ship, note that the Campus Post Office handles pickup and drop off only and does not sell postage. Buying labels online ahead of time saves a trip.