Wondering what to bring to campus when you move in? Wonder no further. See the lists below to find out.
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»Moving In
On this page you’ll find information on move-in dates and times, what you need to bring to campus, where you can park and more.
More information will be communicated via email as you get closer to your move-in date.

Fall 2025 move-in dates
- First-year students: Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
- Transfer students: Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
- Continuing students: Thursday, August 21–Sunday, August 24, 2025.
- First-year students: Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
- Transfer students: Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
- Continuing students: Thursday, August 21–Sunday, August 24, 2025.

Spring 2026 move-in date
Incoming first-year and transfer students starting in spring 2026 will all move in on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
See how it all comes together
Check out a furnished first-year room to get an idea of available space and what you might want to bring.
Launch First-Year Housing TourWhat to bring to your new home
Residence hall packing list
What we provide in the residence halls
- Twin XL bed frame and mattress
- Dresser (one per student)
- Desk (one per student, only provided in first-year buildings)
- Desk chair (one per student, only provided in first-year buildings)
- Wi-fi router for campus Wi-fi
- Blinds for window
- One shower curtain
What you need to bring to the residence halls
These items are not included in your room, and everyone should bring them:
- Twin XL bedding (sheets, pillows, pillowcases, comforter, blankets)
- Towels
- Bath mats
- Toiletries
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Body wash or body soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Face wash
- Skin care
- Brush or comb
- Toilet paper
- A plunger
- Hangers
- Cleaning supplies for room and bathroom, including:
- Soap
- Sponges
- All-purpose scrubber
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Microfiber towels
- Toilet bowl cleaner and scrubber
- Air fresheners
- Laundry hamper and liquid detergent or pod detergent (powdered soap prohibited)
- First-aid kit
- Surge protectors/power strips (must have a switch to turn on or off)
- Trash bin and trash bags
What you might want to bring to the residence halls
- Electronics: television, computer, printer (not wireless, to prevent hacking), gaming systems, portable speakers, HDMI cable(s)
- Charging cables for electronics
- Approved Micro fridge
- Blue painter's tape (to display items on the wall)
- Mattress pad
- Fan(s)
- Under-bed storage (drawers, trunk, containers)
- Accent or supplemental lighting (non-halogen lamps or string lights)
- Over-the-door hooks or drying rack
- Batteries
- Decorative shower curtain
- Reusable utensils (forks, spoons, etc.)
- Reusable dishware (bowls, plates, etc.)
- Dishwashing supplies
- An air purifier that meets California air cleaner regulations
- Small sewing kit
- Small toolbox
- Medicine such as pain relievers
- Tissues
- Umbrella
- Insect repellent
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.)
Prohibited items
The following items are not permitted in the residence halls:
- Candles and incense
- Halogen lamps
- Extension cords or multi-plugs
- Command strips (use blue painter's tape to hang things on the wall)
- Bed risers
- Toasters
- Toaster ovens
- Hot plates
- Air fryers
- Tape, pushpins, or nails for walls
- Mounting putty or sticky tack
- Pets/animals other than fish (maximum of 10-gallon tank size)
- Wireless printers (bring a cord to connect your printer to your computer)
- All weapons, including replicas, cap guns, BB guns, prop guns, water guns, knives with blades longer than 3 inches, martial arts weaponry, etc
- Items that alter plumbing (personal showerheads, bidets, shower filters, etc.)
- Microwaves (unless part of your approved microfridge)
- Flushable wipes
Note: White Mounting Putty is not allowed for hanging items on walls and it is recommended to use blue painter's tape instead. Students are not permitted to put holes in the wall to hang pictures, etc. Please be aware that popular “non-damaging” hooks and strips, such as Command strips, can still damage paint and walls.
Apartment packing list
What we provide in the apartments
- Twin XL bed frame and mattress
- Dresser (one per student)
- Wi-fi router for campus Wi-fi
- Blinds for window
- One shower curtain per bathroom
For a specific list of furniture provided, visit the webpage for your specific building.
What you need to bring to your apartment
- Twin XL bedding (sheets, pillows, pillowcases, comforter, blankets)
- Please note: Panther Village requires full-sized bedding
- Towels
- Bath mats
- Toiletries
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Body wash or body soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Face wash
- Skin care
- Brush or comb
- A plunger
- Toilet paper
- Hangers
- Cleaning supplies for room and bathroom, including:
- Soap
- Sponge
- All-purpose scrubber
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Microfiber towels
- Toilet bowl cleaner and scrubber
- Air freshener
- Laundry hamper and liquid detergent or pod detergent (powdered soap prohibited)
- First-aid kit
- Surge protectors/power strips (must have a switch to turn on or off)
- Trash bin and trash bags
What you might want to bring to your apartment
- Desk and desk chair (applicable to Chapman Court, Chapman Grand, and The K)
- Electronics: television, computer, printer (not wireless, to prevent hacking), gaming systems, portable speakers, HDMI cable(s)
- Charging cables for electronics
- Blue Painter's tape (to display items on the wall)
- Mattress pad
- Fan(s)
- Under-bed storage (drawers, trunk, containers)
- Accent or supplemental lighting (non-halogen lamps or string lights)
- Over-the-door hooks or drying rack
- Batteries
- Air fresheners
- Decorative shower curtain
- Reusable utensils (forks, spoons, etc.)
- Reusable dishware (bowls, plates, cups etc.)
- Dishwashing supplies (dish soap, sponges, etc.)
- An air purifier that meets California air cleaner regulations.
- Kitchenware and cookware (Pots, pans, spatulas, etc.)
- Patio Furniture
- Air fryer
- Microwave (Davis and Harris apartments only)
- Small sewing kit
- Small toolbox
- Medicine such as pain relievers
- Tissues
- Paper towels
- Umbrella
- Insect repellent
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.)
Prohibited items
- Candles and incense
- Halogen lamps
- Extension cords or multi-plugs
- Command strips (use blue painter's tape to hang things on the wall)
- Mounting putty or sticky tack
- Bed risers
- Hot plates
- Tape, pushpins, or nails for walls
- Pets/animals other than fish (maximum of 10-gallon tank size)
- Wireless printers (bring a cord to connect your printer to your computer)
- All weapons, including replicas, cap guns, BB guns, prop guns, water guns, knives with blades longer than 3 inches, martial arts weaponry, etc
- Items that alter plumbing (personal showerheads, bidets, shower filters, etc.)
- Pizza ovens with a flame
- BBQs
- Flushable wipes
Note: White Mounting Putty is not allowed for hanging items on walls and it is recommended to use blue painter's tape instead. Students are not permitted to put holes in the wall to hang pictures, etc. Please be aware that popular “non-damaging” hooks and strips, such as Command strips, can still damage paint and walls.
A few suggestions for your move to Chapman
- We recommend you communicate with your roommate(s) to prevent duplicate items from taking up unnecessary space in the room.
- We also recommend you limit the number of items you bring to campus so that your dorm is as roomy as possible!
- Please use your own form of transportation that does not involve large rental trucks such as U-Hauls and attached trailers. These are not permitted on campus.
Chapman Chats Podcast: On-campus Housing Tips & Tricks
On this episode we sit down with students Garrett and Francesca to chat about dorm life and living on campus. From the necessity of a mattress topper, to making new friends, we cover it all.

Shipping items to your room/apartment
Other helpful move-in info
Microfridge rentals
Chapman University partners with an outside vendor, Collegiate Concepts, Inc., to offer students a microwave fridge combination unit. MicroFridges with SafePlug technology are safe, Chapman-approved appliances that reduce energy consumption. Students can enjoy the convenience of having a microwave, mini-fridge, and freezer in their room.
If you want to rent a MicroFridge, please visit collegefridge.com to order your MicroFridge today.
To ensure a guaranteed delivery to your room before move-in, we must receive your order by August 1st. Late submissions of orders will result in a later delivery of the unit, or units may no longer be available.
Please note: more than one Microfridge is permitted in a room. If roommates are interested in sharing a MicroFridge unit, we encourage all roommates to have an open discussion to determine who will be both placing the order and paying for the MicroFridge. All Roommates should discuss how to split the payment amongst each other.
Parking and unloading
Parking and Unloading During Move-In
Building managers will email residents specific instructions about unloading/parking information by around mid-August. Please follow all instructions in the email or you may experience delays during your check-in time.
In the meantime, please note:
- There is a 7’0” clearance in the parking structures. Vehicles not meeting the clearance will not be allowed to enter the parking structures.
- Vehicles with storage on top of their cars cannot enter the Jim Miller Parking Structure or Sandhu Parking Structure.
- Please note rental trucks such as U-Hauls, attached trailers, and storage pods will NOT be allowed.
Parking During the School Year
- Parking is available for all residents for FREE.
- You are required to register your vehicle with the Department of Public Safety and Transportation Services. Failure to do so may result in a parking citation and/or towing.
- For information on parking permits and designated parking areas, please visit the Parking and Transportation Services website or call (714) 997-6560 or (714) 997-6543.
CU student ID
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If you submit your ID card photo on time, we will have your ID printed and ready for pick-up at your building's check-in location. Your Chapman University, Student ID card, is used as your key card to access your room and residence hall buildings, including authorizing your use of a host of campus resources.
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You may upload your Student ID photo if you still need to upload a photo. The deadline to submit your ID card photos is July 31st.
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If your card is not printed due to late/no photo submission, you must take your photo and obtain your ID card before you check in on move-in day.
Meals during move-in and Orientation
About meal plans
Incoming first-year students will have a meal plan. The cost of the meal plan is already incorporated into the housing rate. Each meal plan is broken into two components:
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The “meals” portion refers to the number of meals assigned per week in the Randall Dining Commons. Our dining service is an all-you-care-to-eat arrangement open for set hours during the week and weekend. All meal swipes reset each week, on Friday, throughout the semester.
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If students choose to change their meal plan, they may do so within the first 3 weeks of the semester by emailing reslife@chapman.edu.
- Panther Bucks are assigned depending on which meal plan you select. Panther Bucks can be used at
any retail dining locations in Argyros Forum, Beckman Hall, Simply to Go @ DMAC, Rotunda
Café, and Starbucks. Present the student ID card and the purchase will be deducted
from your Panther Buck total. If students want to deposit funds to their Panther Bucks
balance, they can visit their eAccount or the Cashier’s Office in Bhathal Student Services.
Renter's insurance
Moving carts
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There will be moving carts available to assist with moving. Moving carts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. We have a limited amount so please be mindful of use. Limit one cart per student.
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Students can bring their own dolly/hand truck/cart to make moving into their space quicker.
Trash disposal
- Orange campus:
- Larger items should be disposed of in the dumpsters in the Sandhu Conference Lot. Please bring all trash to these locations on move-in day. Trash left outside of your apartment will not be picked up by custodial staff.
- Cardboard boxes should be broken down and disposed of in the recycling dumpsters in the Sandhu Conference Lot.
- Off-campus communities:
- Larger items should be disposed of in the dumpsters in your community. Please bring all trash to these locations on move-in day. Trash left outside of your apartment will not be picked up by Custodial staff.
- Cardboard boxes should be broken down and disposed of in the recycling dumpsters.
Finding your residence hall/apartment
Find where you’ll be living on the map below. You can use this map for driving or walking directions.
Accommodations for families
Many Chapman parents and family members choose to stay nearby for a day or two while they help their student move in. If you’re looking to stay relatively close to campus during move-in and Orientation, here is a list of recommended hotels near Chapman.
Flying to Chapman from out of state?
These are the airports we recommend:
- John Wayne Airport SNA (10 miles from the Orange campus)
- Long Beach Airport LGB (20 miles from the Orange campus)
- Ontario Airport ONT (32 miles from the Orange campus)
- Los Angeles Airport LAX (38 miles from the Orange campus)
- Burbank Airport BUR (45 miles from the Orange campus)
Getting to campus from the airport
- Rideshare options like Uber and Lyft are the most convenient way to get from your airport to campus. Here are Uber directions from LAX and Lyft directions from LAX.
- Airport shuttle options are also available, including Prime Time Shuttle and Shuttle 2 LAX (if you're flying into LAX).
- Getting a taxi once you land at the airport is another option, but this may be more costly than the options above.
- For more information about LAX transportation specifically, see LAX's page on transportation options.
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