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Transfer Student Move-In

Fall 2026

Move-In Dates

Plan to arrive on campus on Tuesday, August 19, 2026, to participate in Changing Tides. If you reside in the following residence halls, you will be able to move in prior to this date:

  • Rappahannock River, Presidents, Monroe, and Washington residents may begin moving in on August 3, 2026.
  • Harrison, Madison, Jefferson, Taylor, Tyler, and Wilson residents may begin moving in on August 12, 2026.

Move-In Process

  • All residents will be required to register for a date and time that best meets their needs. Registration instructions will be sent to residents’ CNU email addresses in mid-July.
  • Residents required to return early for a university-sponsored event, employment, athletic team, or marching band must have their name submitted via their coach, employer, or other University sponsor.
  • To speed up the unloading process, residents should pack lightly and efficiently, focusing on essentials. Consolidate items into bins and boxes so the vehicle can be unloaded in minimal trips. Residents should not bring additional furniture such as futons, sofas, chairs, etc.
  • Residents must unload in their selected time frame and move their vehicle from the unloading area as soon as all belongings have been removed.
  • Consolidate items into as few vehicles as possible. You can visit nearby stores later to purchase consumables and other items.
  • On Main Campus and Rappahannock River Hall, a limited number of wheeled carts and bins will be available to use on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents are encouraged to bring their own carts, wagons, etc.
  • Residents will receive instructions to complete a room condition form via their CNU email in the days following their arrival on campus.

Packing List

Extended Apartments

  • Includes Rappahannock River, Presidents Hall, Monroe, and Washington
  • Arrive between August 3, 2026, and August 19, 2026

Apartments

  • Includes Harrison, Madison, Jefferson, Taylor, Tyler, and Wilson
  • Arrive between August 12, 2026, and August 19, 2026

Main Campus

  • Includes James River, Potomac River South, and Warwick River
  • Arrive on August 18, 2026

Registration links will be available on the Housing Portal in mid-July. Follow the instructions below to register for a move-in time block:

  • Log in to the Housing Portal using your CNU credentials.
  • Select the MyHousing tab in the navigation bar along the top of the page.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Continue for the Academic Year 2026-2027.
  • On the MyHousing Dashboard, select Move-In Details.
    • Your room assignment and roommate suitemate information will display here.
  • Click on the Move-In Registration button on the right side of the page.
  • Click the blue drop-down arrow under Book an Appointment and select the date and time that works best for you.

You may update your selected move-in time as needed by returning to this page.

Please follow these instructions if you reside in Rappahannock, Presidents, Monroe, or Washington.

FOR ARRIVAL AUGUST 3 THROUGH AUGUST 11

  • First, stop at the Welcome Desk in the David Student Union to pick up your CNU ID card. You may view the hours of operation on the Captains Card website.
    • Students must have a government-issued photo ID available for identity verification.
    • A photo must have been submitted in advance. Visit the Captains Card website for more information about the submission deadline and photo requirements.
  • Staff will be available to check you into your residence hall at Warwick River Hall between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., every day.
    • We highly encourage residents to check in Monday–Friday during business hours, as additional staff will be available to assist you with your arrival to campus.
    • Most campus offices are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Please follow the instructions below upon your arrival on campus for move-in.
    • Arrive on-campus via Warwick Blvd by turning West onto University Place.
    • Take the first right on University Place. Continue straight until you can turn left into Lot E2.
    • Park in Lot E2, enter the West entrance of Warwick River, and check in at the front desk to receive your bedroom key.
    • Once checked in, proceed to the parking lot closest to your residence hall to unload.

FOR ARRIVAL AUGUST 12 THROUGH AUGUST 19

  • First, stop at the Welcome Desk in the David Student Union to pick up your CNU ID card. You may view the hours of operation on the Captains Card website.
    • Students must have a government-issued photo ID available for identity verification.
    • A photo must have been submitted in advance. Visit the Captains Card website for more information about the submission deadline and photo requirements.
  • Staff will be available to check you into your residence hall during limited hours, based on your residence hall.
    • Rappahannock
      • Staff will be available to check you into your residence hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day.
        • We highly encourage residents to check in Monday-Friday during business hours, as additional staff will be available to assist you with your arrival to campus. Most campus offices are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
      • Please follow the instructions below upon your arrival to campus for move-in, based on your arrival day.
        • Monday through Friday
          • Proceed to the 3rd floor of the David Student Union to check in at the Residence Life and Housing Administration office to receive your bedroom key.
          • Navigate to the Rappahannock Parking Deck (Lot R), where you can unload your vehicle on the floor level of your room assignment. Once unloaded, move vehicles elsewhere on campus to allow others to unload close to the building.
        • Saturday through Sunday
          • Arrive on-campus via Warwick Blvd by turning West onto University Place.
          • Take the first right on University Place. Continue straight until you can turn left into Lot E2.
          • Park in Lot E2, enter the West entrance of Warwick River, and check in at the front desk to receive your bedroom key.
          • Once checked in, proceed to the parking lot closest to your residence hall to unload.
    • Presidents, Monroe, and Washington
      • Staff will be available to check you into your residence hall between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day at the East Campus Area office, located on the 2nd floor of Tyler.
      • Please follow the instructions below upon your arrival on campus for move-in.
        • Arrive on campus by turning East onto University Place.
        • Turn right into the East Campus complex between CNU Village and CNU Landing.
        • Park in spots near the entry to CNU Village.
        • Proceed to the East Campus Area Office on the 2nd floor of Tyler Hall to receive your bedroom key.
          • If you need assistance entering Tyler, call the East Campus On-Call phone at (757) 968-3958.
        • Once checked in, proceed to the parking area near your building to unload.

FOR ARRIVAL AUGUST 12 THROUGH AUGUST 19

  • First, stop at the Welcome Desk in the David Student Union to pick up your CNU ID card. You may view the hours of operation on the Captains Card website.
    • Students must have a government-issued photo ID available for identity verification.
    • A photo must have been submitted in advance. Visit the Captains Card website for more information about the submission deadline and photo requirements.
  • Staff will be available to check you into your residence hall between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day at the East Campus Area office, located on the 2nd floor of Tyler.
  • Please follow the instructions below upon your arrival on campus for move-in.
    • Arrive on campus by turning East onto University Place.
    • Turn right into the East Campus complex between CNU Village and CNU Landing.
    • Park in spots near the entry to CNU Village.
    • Proceed to the East Campus Area Office on the 2nd floor of Tyler Hall to receive your bedroom key.
      • If you need assistance entering Tyler, call the East Campus On-Call phone at (757) 968-3958.
    • Once checked in, proceed to the parking area near your building to unload.

Please follow these instructions if you reside in James River, Potomac River South, or Warwick.

FOR ARRIVAL ON AUGUST 19

  • First, stop at the Welcome Desk in the David Student Union to pick up your CNU ID card. You may view the hours of operation on the Captains Card website.
    • Students must have a government-issued photo ID available for identity verification.
    • A photo must have been submitted in advance. Visit the Captains Card website for more information about the submission deadline and photo requirements.
  • Staff will be available to check you into your residence hall between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day at the Residence Life and Housing Administration office, located on the 3rd floor of the David Student Union.
    • Proceed here to be checked into your residence hall and to receive your bedroom key and residential sticker.
  • Finally, navigate to the designated unloading zone for your residence hall. Once unloaded, move vehicles elsewhere on campus to allow others to unload close to the building.
    • James River Hall and Warwick River Hall: Lot J, located in front of James River Hall, and Lots E1, E2, and E3, located behind and next to Warwick River Hall.
    • Potomac River Hall: Lot I1, located near the athletic fields.
  • Vehicles must be unloaded in the selected time block.
  • Once unloaded, move vehicles from the unloading area to make space for others to unload.
  • After unpacking, break down boxes, bag trash, and remove all debris to designated trash locations.
    • Please do not leave trash in hallways, lounges, stairwells, or parking lots.
  • Campus traffic and parking during move-in will be congested, so please be patient.
  • Drive carefully and watch for pedestrians.
  • Do not park on the grass, in front of fire hydrants or along yellow curbs.
  • Display DMV-issued permit to park in accessible parking spaces.
  • Once unloaded, move vehicles away from the unloading area to make space for others.
  • For more information about parking on campus, contact Parking Services at (757) 594-7129.
  • Direct questions about move-in and/or room and roommate assignments to (757) 594–7527 or reslife@cnu.edu.
  • You can view a typical room layout and room furnishings here.
  • Review the Residence Life & Housing Administration Handbook to familiarize yourself with the policies and expectations of living on campus at CNU. Refer to the “Prohibited Items in the Residence Halls” section for information about what items are not permitted in our residence halls for safety purposes.
  • Contact roommate(s) to discuss which items to bring (storage boxes, TV, gaming system, microwave, etc.) to eliminate duplicate items.
  • Review the family’s homeowner’s, renter’s, and/or health insurance policies and obtain additional coverage if necessary. CNU does not cover liability for any personal belongings. Consider protecting your property with GradGuard Renters Insurance.
  • Do not use methods of adhesion or surface mounting that may cause damage or leave residue on residence hall walls, doors, floors, or furniture. This includes screws, nails, duct tape, masking tape, double-sided foam mounting tape (with or without hooks) and adhesive-backed LED lighting. Residents are responsible for any damage(s) they may cause.
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