Move-In - Housing

Last updated: July 16, 2026

We’re excited that you’ll be living on campus, and we look forward to sharing all the details you will need as you transition into Berkeley life. Please refer to the Housing Portal for your room assignment, contract information, and more. Check your email for important updates.

Please contact the Housing Office at reshall@berkeley.edu if you have any questions. For details about Golden Bear Orientation, visit orientation.berkeley.edu.

Not moving into undergraduate housing? Visit Graduate Move-In or Family Student Housing Move-In.

See you soon, and Go Bears!

Fall 2026 Move-In schedule

New incoming undergraduate students (first-year and transfer)

Move-In for new incoming undergraduates will take place August 17-19, 2026, so that you can attend Golden Bear Orientation. Students will be assigned a specific date and time in advance, so please wait to make travel plans until you receive your assignment. Additional details will be shared closer to Move-in.

You will be assigned a move-in day based on the building to which you’re assigned. It’s important to note that you will need to move in on your building’s assigned day, or later. After you receive your housing assignment via email, you will need to select a move-in time slot on your move-in day.

Continuing (returning) undergraduate students

Continuing undergraduate students living in campus housing for the 2026–27 academic year are scheduled to move in on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Graduate students and family student housing

Not moving into undergraduate housing? Visit Graduate Move-In or Family Student Housing Move-In for your details.

On Move-In Day

Make sure you bring:

A screenshot or print-out of your unique move-in bar code and QR code from the Housing Portal.
Confirmation of your move-in time slot, from an email or a screenshot from the Housing Portal.
A printed parking permit, which will be emailed to you in advance for you to print.
Valid government-issued photo ID or approved alternative.

Unload during your move-in time slot.

Arrive at the start of your move-in time slot and park in the 20-minute unloading zone for your housing location (see Move-In Parking and Directions). You will be asked to show confirmation of your move-in time slot.

The driver should remain with the car at all times.
Borrow a moving cart and load it with your belongings. Carts will be available at the unloading zone area, and should be returned promptly after unloading, following instructions at your building.
You may want to bring your own dolly or hand-truck for a quicker move in, rather than wait to use the limited supply of moving carts.

Check in with your government-issued photo ID.

Check in at the central courtyard or main entrance of your housing complex to get your keys. You will be asked to show your move-in bar code and QR code, which you should screenshot or print out ahead of time from the Housing Portal.

Only students will be allowed in check-in lines, so your parents or supporters will need to wait for you in the unloading area or somewhere away from the check-in lines.
When checking in, you will be required to show a valid, not expired, government-issued photo ID: typically a state ID, driver’s license, or passport.
- If you are unable to provide the required government-issued photo ID when you check in, staff will notify the Office of the Registrar, which will then place a block on your registration for the following academic term and email you about how to clear that block by taking a government-issued photo ID (once available) to Cal Student Central.
- If you don’t yet have (or have lost) the required government-issued photo ID, your high school or college ID will allow you to obtain your key and student ID. However, this requires additional work and may take longer to process at Check-In.
At Check-In you will receive your room key, and new students will also receive their Cal 1 Card student ID and AC Transit EasyPass Clipper transit card. The Student Clipper Card comes with the new BayPass, which extends your options to all 24 Clipper service agencies.
- Eligible new students – You will receive a Clipper Card preloaded with your BayPass! This upgrade comes pre-activated, so you can start using it immediately.
- Eligible continuing students – You will not need a new Clipper Card. Tap your existing card on a Clipper Reader on any AC Transit bus; the BayPass will automatically load. To replace a lost Clipper Card, visit the Parking and Transportation Office.

After checking in, use the rest of your time slot for moving belongings into your room. Once you finish moving in, your helpers must leave the building. Plan to spend additional time with family or helpers outside of your housing unit to help reduce crowds throughout the day.

Move your car after unloading.

After you unload your belongings, please move your car to one of the designated lots offering free two-hour move-in parking. Check Move-In Parking for detailed maps and parking locations.

A link to a printable parking permit will be emailed to you ahead of time; please print and fill it out in advance, and place it on your dashboard when parking in the designated lot for your building.
To avoid break-ins, don’t leave your belongings inside parked cars, and always lock car doors.

Roommate information

You’ll receive an email in early August notifying you that you can access roommate information in the Housing Portal. See “Roommate Information” linked at the bottom of the “Accepted” page. Don’t forget to review our tips on living with a roommate.

Meals reminder

If you are a new incoming student attending Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) and you have a meal plan, you will be able to use your meal plan on move-in days. During GBO, meals will be provided and will be coordinated to accommodate your specific small group schedule.

Golden Bear Orientation (GBO) Check-In

GBO Check-In takes place on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 regardless of your move-in date.

GBO Check-In will take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the entrance of your housing complex if you live in Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Blackwell, Foothill, Stern, Clark Kerr, Anchor House, Martinez Commons, Channing Bowditch, and Wada. Look for the table under the “Orientation” tent.
If you live in Enclave Apartments, Panoramic Apartments, xučyun ruwway Apartments, or University Village, please go to Lower Sproul Plaza between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Move-In parking and directions

Visit the Move-In Parking and Directions page for detailed maps and directions.

Move-In reminders

Review the Move-In Checklist of what to bring (and what not to bring).
Check the My Room page for more information about green living, technology, personal property insurance, and more.
Review the Bearest Necessities brochure, your guide to living in campus housing.
Room numbers will be available when you arrive on campus. If you need to show proof of your housing contract to a campus office, please refer to your contract confirmation page in the Housing Portal.

Move-In FAQ

Visit our Undergraduate Move-In FAQ page for answers to frequently asked questions.

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