Fall Move In

On Monday, August 31st between 9am - 6pm, the following travel advisories are in place:

Sunset Avenue will travel one way southbound from Mass Ave. to Fearing St.

KENNEDY and COOLIDGE traffic will enter the unload zone using Lot 50 off of Massachusetts Avenue to be directed behind Kennedy Tower to unload.  Follow the directions of public safety officials upon arrival.  

Once unloaded, Kennedy and Coolidge vehicles will exit through via the southwest pedestrian walkway towards Whitmore Admin Building and exit onto Massachusetts Avenue.  Go slow and follow the signage posted along the route.

This MAP will show the traffic impacts and designated parking locations for August 31st, Early Arrival Day. 

WHERE CAN WE PARK ON EARLY ARRIVAL DAY?

Select the icon for your move in day and check in location. Then select your hall to view a map of driving directions from check in to your unload zone and designated parking lot.

Select the icon for your move in day and check in location. Then select your hall to view a map of driving directions from check in to your unload zone and designated parking lot.

Select the icon for your move in day and check in location. Then select your hall to view a map of driving directions from check in to your unload zone and designated parking lot.

2nd cars should follow the first car through the check in location and then go park at their designated parking lot. The student must be in the car that is going to the hall to be unloaded. Pack light items in the 2nd car and walk them to the hall.

Choose your Residential Community to view the 2nd car driving directions for your specific designated parking location. When viewing the maps on a mobile device, we recommend you view the map legend for full details and zoom out to find your starting location.

EAST:   NORTH APTS -- SYLVAN -- NORTHEAST -- UPPER CENTRAL -- ORCHARD HILL -- LOWER CENTRAL

Look for our Eastman Lane Pedestrian Shuttle on the East side picking up in Lot 31 and dropping off at Northeast/North Apts and Sylvan on Move In days Sept. 2 - 4 from 8:00am - 5:00pm only.

WEST:  SOUTHWEST -- CHCRC

There is no pedestrian shuttle on the WEST side. 

On the East side of campus, the EASTMAN LANE Parking Lot Shuttle is available to families parking in Lots 68, 31 and 26 on Sept 2 - 4 between 8:00am - 5:00pm on EAST side. This parking lot shuttle will pickup riders in the designated location in the parking lot and drop off at Northeast Halls near Totman Gym and Sylvan Halls outside Cashin. They will also pick up in the residential areas and bring you back to the parking lot.

Arriving by Bus or Rideshare? Staying at UMass Hotel? 

On Sept 2 - 4 between 8:00am - 5:00pm, UMass provides a shuttle service on campus for residents who arrive by rideshare to campus. Direct your rideshare to drop you at Bromery Center for the Arts bus stop where a shuttle will take you and your luggage to check in and collect your key.  The shuttle will then bring you to your residence hall. 

If you are staying at the UMass Hotel the night before your move in day, the Check In Shuttle will also pick up up at Flint Circle (outside the hotel near the parking garage) and bring you to check in and your residence hall. Look for the shuttle stop sign!

This shuttle is only available Sept 2 - 4 between 8:00am - 5:00pm.

The start of the new academic year is almost here!  Students will be moving in between the dates of September 2 - 7, with the highest volume Move-In dates being September 2 - 4. Expect heavy traffic and delays around campus as well as the Amherst/Hadley area during the Move-In. 

Please practice pedestrian safety as you travel around campus and use pedestrian walkways and crosswalks when available. Please note starting September 2 traffic will be impacted in the following areas.

West Check In at Stadium

• Families are directed to use the UMass exit on Route 116 to enter Stadium Drive.  Please avoid using this campus entrance, it will be heavily congested and there will be delays.
• Families exiting the Southwest residential area will come through Lot 71 on the west side of Whitmore.
• Fearing Street will be one way traveling eastbound from University Drive.
• University Drive will be closed in both directions starting at Amity Street to Massachusetts Avenue. This section will be available for move-in traffic ONLY.

East Check In at Lot 44

• Eastman Lane will be closed to through traffic.
• Families are directed to enter the East Check In location using North Residential Drive between Furcolo Building and Lot 43.  Expect heavy traffic and possible delays if you enter campus using N. Pleasant Street.

Be advised that students and families will be using nearby parking lots while unpacking during this time period. Permit holders of closed parking lots will be emailed by Parking Services with alternate lot details.

Parking Closure Notices will be posted here.

Q: What is a move in reservation?

A: A move in reservation is a specific block of time that every resident must have to determine their arrival time to campus on their designated move in day.  UMass is currently updating its move in reservation system, and more information will be available later this summer on how to make or change your reservation.  
 

Q: Will you run out of reservations if I don't login the moment the process begins?

A: There are enough reservation slots for every resident to make a reservation. There are a limited number of reservations per timeslot. The most popular reservation times tend to be between 9am - noon on assisted move in days. If you have a limited window of time of when you can arrive to campus, we recommend that you login early in the process for a better chance to secure your preferred timeslot.

Q: What should I do to prepare for making a move in reservation?

A: Once you know your room assignment you can begin planning to make your move in reservation.  Here are some suggestions to help you prepare.

1. Consult the building move in schedule to see what day(s) your residence hall is scheduled to be moved in and what style of move in you will experience.
2. Consult the move in reservation schedule to determine when you can log on to the housing portal on August 10th to make your move in reservation. Residence halls are loaded into the reservation system in a staggered manner to avoid technology disruptions.
3. Consult with anyone else traveling with you to campus that day to come up with 2-3 workable times for everyone, before making a reservation.
4. Consult with your roommate(s) about their intended reservation time. Some roommates like to schedule the same reservation time. When considering this plan, be sure to discuss how many people each student plans to bring to the space and then compare that to the size of the room, including bags and boxes and decide if that plan will work for your situation.

Q: Why are the move in time options so limited?

A: There are two possible reasons why you are only seeing a limited number of time options.

1. Your residence hall is being moved in by professional movers who determine your move in time based on the floor you are assigned to. You will only see the times they have predetermined to be moving in your floor. Halls moved in by professional movers are located in SYLVAN, CHCRC and all SOUTHWEST TOWERS.
2. If you login to make your selection towards the end of the reservation process, there are likely to be less time options still available.

Q. Can I change my move in reservation time?

A: While the reservation system is still open (Aug 10 - 13) you can change your move in reservation online from available times. You will not lose your confirmed reservation time until you confirm a new time. After Aug 13, you will need to complete the MOVE IN RESERVATION CHANGE REQUEST FORM online or contact Residential Services at 413-577-7777 to request a change; however, as the date gets closer to your arrival, we may not be able to adjust your reservation.

Q: What is a boarding pass?

A: Once you choose your reservation time a boarding pass will be generated.  This document will highlight important information such as your room, hall, check in location and links to driving directions to and around campus. All students arriving to assisted move in day Sept 2 - 4 must print their boarding pass and bring it to check in.  If you will be bringing additional cars to campus on these dates, you should print a copy of your boarding pass for those vehicles too. The boarding pass does NOT have to be printed in color.  Any time your reservation day or time has changed, a new boarding pass will have to be printed. You can print your boarding pass up until the day of your move in reservation.

Q: How do I print my boarding pass?

A: Students are able to view and print their boarding pass in the Star Rez Housing Portal until they have checked in. Choose the MOVE IN RESERVATIONS tab on the top menu. Then choose SELECT when your assignment is shown. This will display your boarding pass.  Choose PRINT THIS PAGE found at the bottom left corner of the page.  

Q: I have to move in earlier than Assisted Move In days. What do I need to know?

A: There are many reasons why some students need to move in before Sept 2 - 4. Please refer to our helpful FAQ on the MOVE IN DAYS tab that outlines the most frequently asked questions from the different early arrival groups. If you still have questions, contact Residential Services for assistance.

Q: My family/support cannot bring me to campus on my scheduled move in day.  Can I move in earlier?

A: Yes.  Students who need to move in early for personal reasons are considered INDIVIDUAL EARLY ARRIVALS. The date for individual early arrivals to move in is Monday, August 31st. The cost is $120.00 and billed to the bursar bill.  The opportunity to request to arrive early to campus is now closed. If you have extenuating circumstances that require you to move in early, please contact Residential Services directly for assistance.

Q: Is there move in assistance on early arrival day?

A: No. You will check in and collect your room key at your Residential Service Desk. At your hall, you can park outside while you unload but must move your car to another lot once unloaded.

Q: Will meal plans be available if I arrive on Early Arrival Day? 

A: Yes, meals plans will begin Monday, August 31st. See more about Meal Plans here. FAQ | UMass Dining

Q: Will campus roads be impacted on Early Arrival Day?

A: Sunset Avenue will travel one way southbound from Mass Ave. to Fearing St.  This is the only road change on this move in day.

KENNEDY and COOLIDGE vehicles will enter the unload zone using Lot 50 off of Massachusetts Avenue near Kennedy Tower. Follow the directions of public safety officials upon arrival to your unload zone.

This MAP will show the traffic impacts and designated parking locations for August 31st, Early Arrival Day. 

Q: Where do I go to check in and do I have to print my boarding pass?

A: Early Arrival Students will check in at their Residential Service Desk (RSD) to receive their room key. Be prepared to show a photo ID and your boarding pass upon check in. You do not have to print your boarding pass for this check in; however, we strongly recommend you have a screenshot of it saved on your phone if you can, specifically the QR CODE on the pass to be scanned at check in. If you do not have a printed pass or screenshot you will be directed to login to your housing portal and display your boarding pass at check in.

Q: Will there be moving bins available to sign out?

A: Students checking in before Monday, August 31^st should inquire about signing out a moving bin from their Residential Service Desk at check in.  Moving bins will be available to sign out if your residence hall has an elevator. 

Students checking in on August 31^st will be able to sign out a moving bin at the designated locations listed below for a period of 40 minutes.  Moving bins will be available to sign out if your residence hall has an elevator. 

Q: Where can we park on Early Arrival Day?

Q: What is Assisted Move In?

A: The majority of students and families will experience an Assisted Move in this fall. This takes place Sept 2 - 4 between 8am - 5pm. Students with a move in reservation during this period will receive assistance with moving belongings to their residence hall room from either professional movers or student Minute Movers, depending on their assigned hall.

Q: What is the assistance difference between Minute Movers and professional movers?

A: Minute Movers are UMass Amherst students who meet you at your unload zone and assist moving your items to the room alongside the student/family. Professional movers will remove student's belongings from the vehicle at the unload zone and secure them in the room while the student and family park the car and walk back to the hall.

Q: Can we decline moving assistance?

A: If you prefer to move your items in on your own, please choose an unassisted move in time. These reservation times are available in the evenings between 6pm - 10pm on assisted move in days or anytime Sept 5 - 7.  You will be able to park at your hall to unload, use a moving bin if your hall has an elevator and move yourself in.

Q: Where do I go to check in on Assisted Move In Days?

A: Residents assigned to live in Southwest and CHCRC will check in at WEST CHECK IN, located behind the McGuirk Football Stadium.  Residents assigned to live in Northeast, North Apartments, Central, Orchard Hill and Sylvan will go to EAST CHECK IN located in parking LOT 44 behind North Apartments.  This is where you will be issued your key before being sent to your hall to be unloaded. Use the travel directions to this check in location that we provide to avoid road closures on campus.

Q: What happens if it is expected to rain on my move in day?

A: Rain in any amount or duration will not stop our move in process. We recommend you pack items in large plastic bags to keep them dry through the process. Movers will cover belongings as they are being moved but we are not able to guarantee that items will not get wet in the process. Non-students should consider bringing an extra set of dry clothes/shoes so you can comfortably enjoy the rest of your time on campus.  

UMass Emergency Management monitors the weather for serious weather events, such as lightning storms. If lightning is detected in our area, UMass will notify students with reservations arriving that day by email (UMass email address ONLY) of what to expect.  The outdoor move in team is required to cease operations and seek indoor shelter when a lightning strike is detected within 8 miles of our campus.  We will resume operations as soon as it is safe to do so. Students should monitor their UMass email account closely if this type of weather is expected on their move in day.

Q: What if I miss my move in reservation time?

A: We understand that unexpected delays or early arrivals take place.  There is no need to notify us if you will still be arriving on your move in day between 8am - 5pm.  If you arrive after 5pm, you will have to move yourself in, without assistance, and will check in and get your key at your Residential Service Desk after 6pm. Staff need time to transition the room keys from the outdoor check in locations to the Residential Service Desks.

Q: What do I need to know to be prepared for Assisted Move In?

A: Review our checklist for success under the "Overview" Tab for important information such as the ONE CAR RULE, driving directions and to print your boarding pass.

Q: What is unassisted move in?  

A: An unassisted move in means there is no university provided moving assistance to move your items from your car to the room.  You may still have the option of using a moving bin, where they are allowed.  Anyone arriving before September 2nd will experience an unassisted move in. On Assisted Move In days, after 6pm, there are unassisted move in reservation options until10pm. Unassisted move in reservation options are also available Saturday - Monday of Labor Day weekend. 

Q: Where do I go to get my room key and a moving bin if I choose Unassisted Move In?

A: Your key will be available at your Residential Service Desk.  You may also be able to sign out a moving bin at your RSD if your hall has an elevator.

Q: I can't arrive to campus until after Monday, September 7.  Do I need to notify anyone?

A: Yes! If you don't check in by Monday, September 7 you could be considered a no-show and your room assignment can be cancelled.  To avoid this you must contact Residential Services at 413-577-7777 and inform them that you will be arriving to campus late.  They will need to know your expected arrival date.