Housing and Residence Life

Registration links will be available on the Housing Portal once room assignment emails have been sent to freshman residents by the Office of Residence Life and Housing Administration.

NOTE: Students will NOT be permitted to move in until all University requirements have been met. This includes:

• The required immunization form with signatures has been submitted or immunization exemption form with all required signatures has been submitted. Immunization forms must be submitted to the immunization portal prior to arrival on campus. Questions regarding immunizations should be directed to registrar@cnu.edu
• An approved photo must be submitted for an official CNU ID. More information will be provided during Setting Sail and within your room assignment letter. You may also visit the Captains Card website for more information.
• Students’ payment for the Fall 2025 semester will need to be paid in full unless you have signed up for a payment plan or contacted the office of Student Accounts, studentaccts@cnu.edu, with how payment will be made. Visit Student Accounts for more information about payment due dates.

• Residents and families must adhere to their selected move-in schedule.
• Students must have a government-issued photo ID available for identity verification and to receive their CNU ID card. If a student has not uploaded their photo, then an ID card will not be available, and they will need to proceed to the Welcome Desk in the David Student Union to get their card. They will NOT be permitted to begin their move-in process until they have their CNU ID. More information will be provided during Setting Sail and within your room assignment letter. You may also visit the Captains Card website for more information.
• Students arriving on Friday, August 15, or Sunday, August 17 will have designated unloading zones. This option is suggested for families who wish to have several vehicles. Students arriving on Saturday, August 16 should arrive in as few vehicles as possible (two or fewer).
• Pack lightly and efficiently, focusing on essentials, and making use of easy-to-handle boxes and storage containers. Do not bring additional furniture such as futons, sofas, chairs, etc. For specific information about your Residence Hall click here.
• Label all items with your name and room number.
• Consolidate items to as few vehicles as possible. You can visit nearby stores later to purchase consumables and other items.
• 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 and hand trucks.
• Vehicles must be moved from the unloading zone once empty to allow space for others.
• Residents and their helpers may return to the room to continue setting up.

• At the start of your registered time, arrive at campus and follow the signs to your designated unloading zone
• A limited number of wheeled carts and bins will be available to use on a first-come, first-served basis.
• All residents are encouraged to bring their own carts and/or hand trucks.
• Vehicles must be unloaded in the selected time block.
• Once unloaded, move vehicles from the unloading area to make space for others to unload.
• Residents and their helpers may return to the room to continue setting up.
• 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.

• At the start of your registered time, arrive at campus and follow the signs to your designated unloading zone
• When instructed, pull up to the building to unload, and be prepared to move quickly.
• The student should head directly to the check-in table while another driver remains with the vehicle. Volunteers will help unload your belongings and take them to your room while the student checks in.
• As soon as the vehicle is unloaded, it must be moved to make room for others to unload. Signs will be posted around campus to direct drivers where to park vehicles. Drivers may return to the building after parking.
• Elevator use will be limited to carts and bins only whenever possible. We ask students and family members to use the stairs.
• If the resident is the only driver, the student should check in after the car is unloaded by volunteers and parked.

• Proceed to the check-in location to register with Residence Life and Housing Administration staff.
• Students will receive their CNU ID card at this time
• 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 or contact captainscard@cnu.edu for instructions.
• Residents who did not submit a photo will need to report to the David Student Union Welcome Desk to have a photo taken and ID card printed. Plan accordingly to avoid wait times.
• Residents will receive instructions for completing a room condition form via their CNU email.

• 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 handicapped spaces.
• Once unloaded, move vehicles away from the unloading area to make space for others. Signs will be posted around campus to direct drivers where to park vehicles.
• For more information about parking on campus, contact Parking Services at (757) 594–7129.

• Please 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 on the Residence Life and Housing Administration webpage.
• 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” (page 30) sections 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, etc.) in order 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 on any personal belongings.
• 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.

FOR ARRIVAL AUGUST 15 AND 17

• Arrive on campus via Avenue of the Arts.
• At the traffic circle, take the second exit onto Shoe Lane.
• Turn right onto Moore’s Lane.
• Turn right onto the roadway behind Potomac River Hall South.
• Use the sidewalk to walk between the two buildings, and then turn left to proceed to the entrance to Potomac River Hall North.
• Check-in at the front desk.
• Once checked-in, park in an available space in Lot K or L to unload.
• Once unloaded, move vehicles elsewhere on campus to allow others to unload close to the building. Parking is available in Lots G, H, E3, and E4.
• Arrival and Move-In Map

FOR ARRIVAL AUGUST 16

• Arrive on campus via Avenue of the Arts.
• Turn left onto Shoe Lane.
• Turn right onto Moore’s Lane.
• Turn right into Lot I and follow the signs and staff directions. Check-in at the tent.
• After vehicles are unloaded, parking is available in Lots H, G, E3, and E4.
• Arrival and Move-In Map

FOR ARRIVAL AUGUST 15 AND 17

• Arrive on campus via Warwick Blvd by turning West onto University Place.
• Proceed to Lot J, in front of James River Hall, at the end of University Place.
• Check-in at the Santoro Hall front desk. 
• Once checked-in, park in an available space in Lot J to unload.
• Once unloaded, move vehicles elsewhere on campus to allow others to unload close to the building. Parking is available in Lot E1.
• Arrival and Move-In Map

FOR ARRIVAL AUGUST 16

• Arrive on campus via Avenue of the Arts.
• Turn right onto Moore’s Lane.
• Turn right into Lot I and follow the signs and staff directions. Check-in at the tent.
• After vehicles are unloaded, parking is available in Lots E1 and D. Follow the signs located on Moores Lane and Prince Drew Road to locate these parking lots.
• Arrival and Move-In Map

FOR ARRIVAL AUGUST 15 AND 17

• Arrive on-campus via Avenue of the Arts.
• Turn left onto Shoe Lane.
• Turn right into Lot M.
• Pass through the northeast corner of Lot M onto the road in front of York River Hall.
• Briefly park in the unloading zones located along the road in front of York River Hall.
• Check-in at the front desk.
• Once checked-in, immediately return to your vehicle and begin unloading
• Once unloaded, move vehicles elsewhere on campus to allow others to unload close to the building. 
• Parking is available in Lots A, C1, C2, and the Ferguson Parking Deck.
• Arrival and Move-In Map

FOR ARRIVAL AUGUST 16

• Arrive on-campus via Avenue of the Arts.
• Turn left onto Shoe Lane.
• Turn right into Lot M and follow the signs and staff directions. Check-in at the tent.
• After vehicles are unloaded, parking is available in Lots A, C1, C2, and the Ferguson Parking Deck.
• Arrival and Move-In Map