Moving Out
Note: move out procedures will be refreshed in late March. Please check back for more updates.
The residence halls close for winter break at the end of the semester, at 10 a.m. on December 13, 2025. Here's what you need to know about leaving for the fall.
If you are a resident who is returning for the spring semester, review the information sent to you through RoomPact and your CA's floor meeting. You will not need to remove your belongings or turn in your key. However, unless you are staying for winter break (Neptune, Stevenson Towers and Patterson only), all residence halls will be locked until Jan. 9, 2026 when they reopen for the spring semester. If you have a reason to request a late stay past your final, please fill out a Late Stay Form. All residents who are not staying during winter break must check out of their halls by 10 a.m. Dec. 13, 2025.
Permanently Moving Out
Students who are leaving NIU at the end of the fall semester because you graduate, transfer and/or withdraw from NIU, you need to request a contract release as soon as possible. Make an appointment with your community advisor to check out of your room within 24 hours of your last final exam and remove all of your belongings from your room before the appointment time. A check out appointment should only last 20 minutes if you have all your items removed ahead of time.
Residents who "might" leave NIU are strongly recommended to move all of their belongings out. Their room will be held unless they officially request a release. You can email housing@niu.edu or submit a release request if they decide not to return. Please remember all university offices will be closed between December 22, 2025, and January 5, 2026.
Prepare for Moving Out
Returning for Spring Term
- Remove all personal items you will need over the break.
- Clean all areas of your room, and do not leave any personal items on the floor.
- Empty your trash and remove all perishable items from your refrigerator.
- Avoid ordering packages that may arrive during the break period. You will not have access to them until January 9th.
- Make sure your window is closed and locked.
- Turn off your lights and lock your room door.
Moving Out Permanently
- Make an appointment with your CA for a check out time.
- Remove all personal items
- Clean all areas of your room.
- Carefully remove posters, tape, sticky tack and strips from walls. You will be responsible for any damage fees.
- Defrost, clean and dry your micro-fridge unit unless you have a roommate returning in January. Failure to clean and defrost the unit could result in fees.
- Return furniture to its original position.
- Throw away all trash.
- Update your permanent address in MyNIU.
- Close and lock room windows.
- Close curtains or blinds.
- Turn off all the lights.
Patterson and Stevenson Suites
Building Services team members will perform a mid-year cleaning of showers, sinks and toilets in suite bathrooms of Patterson and Stevenson if residents have removed all personal items from vanities, sinks and showers before December 13th. Students who have properly signed up for Winter Break Housing in Stevenson or Patterson will be contacted about scheduling a bathroom cleaning so items can be removed according to the schedule. Please remember there are limited number of days for staff to complete these routines, and your cooperation is appreciated.
Moving Out of Your Room/Apartment
When a resident is permanently leaving their room, whether changing rooms or moving out, they need to complete a room condition form (RCF) with their community advisor (CA). They should schedule a time with their CA to check out of the room at least 24 hours in advance and during business hours. If the resident fails to make an appointment with their CA to check out, they may be assessed a $50 improper check-out fee. They then must turn in any keys as instructed. If they are withdrawing from the university (not moving due to a room change or the end-of-year move out), they need to complete a Contract Release Request form.
Important Dates
- Thursday, April 30, at 9 p.m. - residence hall 24-hour quiet hours begin
- Friday, May 8 - Gilbert’s EastSide Café is closed; other dining closes at 2 p.m., with Stevenson open until 8 p.m.
- Saturday, May 9, at 6 p.m., residence halls close
Summer Housing
Summer housing is available in Patterson Hall.
The residence halls close for summer break at the end of the semester, on May 9, 2026. Here's what you need to know about leaving for the summer.
If you’re planning on moving out at the end of the semester, you need to plan to do so within 24 hours after your last scheduled exam, and before the residence halls close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. You must sign up for a checkout time with your community advisor in advance of your departure.
After the residence halls close on May 9, only students who have contracted for summer housing or who have been approved for a late checkout may remain.
If you have any questions, talk to your community advisor or hall director or contact the Housing Office at 815-753-1525 or housing@niu.edu.
Late Checkout
You can request a late checkout. Requests are not guaranteed, so plan ahead. If your request is denied, you are expected to move out 24 hours after your last scheduled final exam.
Request a late checkout by emailing housing@niu.edu.
How to Move Out
Follow these general steps to successfully move out. This includes putting the furniture back in the original layout (see information below). Failure to follow the procedure may result in a fine of $50 or more.
You can also refer to your residence hall’s move-out checklist:
- Gilbert, Grant, Neptune and Stevenson checklist
- Patterson Hall Cluster checklist
- Northern View Community Apartments checklist
Once you’ve completed your move out, please complete the end-of-year checkout checklist on Roompact.
Schedule Checkout Time
Schedule a checkout time in advance. It should be within 24 hours after your last final exam.
Clean and Prepare
- Remove any trash from your room.
- Clean and defrost your microfridge (improper defrosting will result in additional charges).
- Close and lock your windows (you’ll be charged for any damages resulting from your windows being open).
- Close the curtains or blinds.
- Check your mailbox and pick up any outstanding packages.
- Change your forwarding address with USPS Mover's Guide and update your permanent address on MyNIU.
Remove Belongings
- Remove all your belongings, including from closets and drawers.
- Put unwanted but usable items in the Goodwill bins, which will be dropped off in hall lobbies starting April 30.
Set Your Thermostat
- Gilbert, Grant and Patterson Hall: Leave the thermostat in the "on" position and set the dial to 74°F.
- Stevenson C and D: Leave the thermostat in the "on" position, in cool mode and set to 74°F.
- Stevenson A and B: Leave the toggle switch in the "on" position with the dial set in the middle.
During Your Checkout Time
- Turn off your lights.
- Close and lock your door when you leave.
- Return your key to the front desk during your scheduled checkout time.
Your Room's Original Furniture Layouts
Remember to put the furniture in your room back in its original layout before you move out. If you had your bed lofted at the beginning of the year, you don't need to change it before moving out.
Your Room's Original Furniture Layouts
Remember to put the furniture in your room back in its original layout before you move out. If you had your bed lofted at the beginning of the year, you don't need to change it before moving out.
Gilbert Double Room Layout
Put each bed on either side of the room. Place desks in the corners of the room by the window. Put the MicroFridge in front of the window.
Bed Desk MicroFridge
Grant Double Room Layout
Put each bed on either side of the room. Place desks in the corners of the room, one by each window. Place the large dresser and the small dresser under the beds. Put the MicroFridge in the middle of the far wall.
Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser
Grant Single Room Layout
Put the bed on the side of the room the closet is on. Put the desk in the corner of the room by the window. Place the large dresser next to the MicroFridge. Put the small dresser under the bed. Put the MicroFridge by the desk.
Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser
Neptune Double Room Layout
Put each bed on either side of the room. Place desks in the corners of the room by the window. Put the MicroFridge in front of the window.
Bed Desk MicroFridge
Neptune Single Room Layout
Put the bed on the right side of the room, opposite of the AC unit, if you have one. Place desk in the corner of the room by the window and next to the bed. Put the MicroFridge in front of the window.
Bed Desk MicroFridge
Patterson Complex Minisuite Layout
Put the bed on the right side of the room. Place the desk in the corner of the room by the window. Put the large dresser under the bed.
Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser
Stevenson Double Room Layout
Put one of the beds on the right side of the room and the other bed on the left side of the room along the wall the door is on. Place one of the desks in front of the right window and put the other desk on the left side of the room. Place one of the wardrobes by the left window and the other wardrobe by the door on the right side of the room. Put the MicroFridge along the far wall in the middle.
Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser Wardrobe
Stevenson Single Room Layout
Put the bed on the right side of the room. Place the desk on the left side of the room. Place the wardrobe on the side of the room the bed is on, closest to the door. Place desk in the right corner of the room, by the window. Put the MicroFridge on the left side of the room, closest to the door.
Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser Wardrobe
Stevenson Suite With Bathroom Layout
Put each bed on either side of the room. Put one of the wardrobes near the window and the other wardrobe by the door. Place one of the desks by the window and one of the desks by the door. Place the large and small dresser under the beds. Put the MicroFridge in front of the window. Put the couch on the left side of the room with the long table in front of it. Put each chair on the right side of the room with the small table in-between them.
Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser Wardrobe Living room couch and chairs Living room tables
Stevenson Suite Without Bathroom Layout
Put each bed on either side of the room. Put each wardrobe in the corner by the door. Put each desk in the corners by the window. Place the large and small dresser under the beds. Put the MicroFridge in front of the window. Put the couch on the far side of the room with the long table in front of it. Put one of the chairs by the couch with a small table next to it and put the other chair on the opposite side of the room.
Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser Wardrobe Living room couch and chairs Living room tables
Mail Forwarding
When you move out of the residence halls, we'll forward USPS mail to the permanent address you have listed in MyNIU. Please note: Packages from private delivery services like UPS, FedEx, DHL or Amazon will get returned to sender. NIU is unable to forward packages from private services. See our Mail and Packages page for details.
Fees and Cleaning Charges
Rooms will be inspected by your CA and professional hall staff for damages and cleaning charges. If there are any damages and/or cleaning issues, a fee will be charged to your NIU account. If you are concerned about your room condition, set up a time to meet with your CA before you officially check out.
Common fees include:
- Excessive cleaning charge - $50-$100
- Failure to defrost and clean micro-fridge unit - $100
- Failure to remove personal items can be assessed up to $600.
- Holes/paint damage to walls - $75-$1,000 for an entire room
Questions?
Contact your community advisor or complex coordinator if you have any questions about the check-out process.