Moving Out
The residence halls close for summer break at the end of the semester. 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 must do so within 24 hours of your last exam, and before the residence halls close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 13. You must sign up for a checkout time with your community advisor in advance.
After the residence halls close, you can remain in the residence hall only if you’re contracted for summer housing or you’ve been approved for a late checkout.
If you have any questions, talk to your community advisor or hall director.
Late Checkout
You can request a late checkout. If your request is granted, the latest you’ll be permitted to stay in the residence hall is noon on Sunday, May 14. Requests are not guaranteed, so plan ahead. If your request is denied, you must move out 24 hours after your last final.
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
Schedule Checkout Time
Schedule a checkout time in advance. It should be within 24 hours of your last final.
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 window 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 26.
Set Your Thermostat
- Gilbert, Grant and New Hall: 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.
- Put your key in the envelope on your door and return it 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.
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.
Fees and Cleaning Charges
Rooms will be inspected by your CA for damages and cleaning charges. If there are any damages and/or cleaning issues, a fee will be charged to your NIU account.
Common fees include:
- Failure to defrost and clean micro-fridge unit - $100
- Failure to remove personal items can assessed up to $600.
Questions?
Contact your community advisor or hall director if you have any questions about the check-out process.
Important Dates
- Thursday, May 4: Residence hall 24-hour quiet hours begin.
- Friday, May 12: Dining operations close.
- Saturday, May 13, 6 p.m.: Residence halls close.
- Sunday, May 14, noon: Late checkout ends.
Summer Housing
Summer housing is available in Patterson Hall. Sign up for summer housing.
Important Dates
- Thursday, May 4: Residence hall 24-hour quiet hours begin
- Friday, May 12: Dining operations close
- Saturday, May 13, 6 p.m.: Residence halls close
- Sunday, May 14, noon: Late checkout ends
Summer Housing
Summer housing is available in Patterson Hall. Sign up for summer housing.