Move In (2019-2020)

Check-In Dates, Times, and Locations

New First Year Students

Residence hall check-in for First Year Students is Sunday, August 25, 2019.

Some international students who fit into specific categories may be required to move in on Friday, August 23, 2019, to participate in a special pre-Orientation Program by the Office of International & Intercultural Student Programs.

For information about First Year Move-In, please visit https://barnard.edu/reslife/move-in/first-years.

Information about NSOP Orientation Week

New Transfer & Visiting Students

If you arrive by car, please leave your luggage and other items for your room in the car while you check-in at Barnard Hall. It will be easier for you to unload at your residence hall.

Information about and schedules for the New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) is available at http://barnard.edu/studentlife/activities/nsop. If you have questions about Orientation, please contact orientation@barnard.edu. For more new student housing information, visit http://barnard.edu/reslife/new-students/.

Please note that early check-ins are unfortunately not available.

Continuing & Readmitted Students

If you will be moving into a Columbia residence hall, please see http://housingservices.columbia.edu/ for check-in information. Columbia students living in Barnard residence halls are subject to the move-in dates above.

Early Check-Ins

Permission to move into the residence halls early is only granted to students directly involved with NSOP (Orientation). Please visit https://barnard.edu/reslife/move-in/approved-early-move-ins for more information.

Unfortunately, early check-in for personal reasons is not available.

Late Check-Ins

Campus Map & Directions

• Campus Map (PDF)
• Directions to Campus
• Residence Hall Floor Plans *

* Measurements on residence hall floor plans are approximate. We encourage you to refrain from purchasing and/or cutting carpets, drapes. etc. until you move into your room and take exact measurements.

Unloading & Parking

The area in front of each residence hall is reserved for unloading only.

Please do not leave your car double parked without someone in it. Unattended and/or double parked cars block others from accessing the buildings and may be ticketed or towed by NYPD.

For a list of parking garages and rates, please visit http://barnard.edu/visit/parking.

A limited number of carts will be available for use from the front desk of each residence hall. A photo ID is required to borrow a cart for one hour.

Recommended / Prohibited Items in the Residence Halls

Please consult this list for recommended and prohibited items. Save yourself room in your car, suitcase, etc, by leaving things behind that are not allowed!

Because space is tight, we encourage students to bring only the essentials. It's easier to purchase needed items after you move in than bringing too many belongings with you and not having room to storage them. Additionally, we encourage you to refrain from purchasing and/or cutting carpets, drapes. etc. until you move into your room and take exact measurements.

Renters Insurance

If your family homeowner's or renter's insurance does not extend to cover you while away at College, we strongly encourage you to look into purchasing renters insurance.  The College accepts no responsibility for the loss of or damage to a student’s personal property, including (but not limited to) fire, theft, water damage, and the elements. [More information]

Sending Packages & Mail

All students receive their mail & packages* at Student Mail Services in Altschul (students keep their mailbox all 4 years). Mail & packages must not be addressed to the student's building & room number (they will be returned to sender).

Please note that Student Mail Services will not accept any packages or mail for students until 3 days before a student's check-in day. For example, packages & mail for First Year students will be accepted starting Thursday, August 22, 2019 (or on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, for returning students). If you are sending items via the mail, UPS, FedEx, etc; please instruct them not to deliver the packages until that date or later.

The Mailroom will be open the following special days/times for Move-In:

• First Year Move-In -- 8am-2:45pm on Sunday, August 25, 2019
• Transfer Move-In -- 11am-4:45pm on Monday, August 26, 2019
• Returning Student Move-In -- 10am-3:45pm on Saturday & Sunday, August 31 & September 1, 2019 (closed on Monday for Labor Day)

For more information about packages and mail (including how to find out your mailbox number and combination) and the academic year schedule for the Student Mail Room, please visit barnard.edu/mail-print-services/mail.

* Students in Cathedral Gardens ONLY may receive packages (not mail) at CG (more information).

Columbia students living in Barnard residence halls must use their Lerner Hall Mailbox for mail and/or packages.

Replacement ID Cards

Did you lose your Student ID over the summer or not send in an ID Photo as a new student? 

The Columbia ID Center (Kent Hall) will be open on the following dates and times:

• First Year Move-In - 9am-5pm on Sunday, August 25, 2019
• Transfer Move-In - 9am-5pm on Monday, August 26, 2019
• Returning Move-In - 9am-5pm on Saturday, August 31, 2019 (closed Sunday and Monday, September 1 & 2). 

Please see their website for hours during the academic year.

If you do not have your Student ID, you must bring Photo ID to be permitted to check-in prior to getting a new Student ID.

Summer Storage

If you stored items over the summer with SummerStorage.org, the company will bring boxes to campus for pick up on Sunday, September 1, 2019, from 10am-2pm. They will be lined up against the Main Campus Gate on Broadway, with boxes in alpabetical order.

Please make sure that you bring your Student ID with you to pick up your boxes. If you wish to arrange for another person to pick up your belongings or your have other questions or issues, please contact SummerStorage.com directly at avreda@aol.com or 516-729-5169 to make alternate arrangements.

RAIN PLAN:  If it is raining on Sunday, SummerStorage will email you directly to confirm that the delivery of boxes to campus may be delayed until Monday, September 2, 2019.  Please watch your email for any updates directly from SummerStorage.org.  If you have any questions, please see their contact info above.

Go Green! (Have an Environmentally-Friendly Move-In)

The College and Residential Life & Housing are committed adopting sustainable practices. Help us save the environment by planning a "Green" move-in!

• Get rid of stuff before you move it! You will have a limited amount of space in your room, so bring only the essentials to make your move lighter and more energy efficient.
• Instead of buying brand new cardboard boxes, ask your local liquor, grocery, hardware, or dry goods store for boxes. Or, use reusable plastic tubs.
• Instead of packing your boxes with newspaper or bubblewrap, use your towels or bed linens.
• After moving in, break down your boxes and put them in the recycle bin (in the Quad, take them to the basement); or better yet, flatten them and save them or send them home for a future move!

For more information about the College's committment to sustainability, please visit https://barnard.edu/vision-values/sustainability.

Refrigerator Rentals (Quad & Elliott)

If you would like to rent a refrigerator for your room, check out Collegiate Storage & Rental. Renting a fridge instead buying one means you don't have to worry about finding a place to store it for the summer or taking it back home.

The maxium allowable refrigerator size is 3.5 cubic feet.

Elliott residents: please note that only a smaller cube refrigerator fits into the special fridge alcove in your room. If you wish to rent a larger refrigerator, we encourage you to wait until after you move-in to see if you will have the floor space available for it.

Computers in the Residence Halls

Computer labs are provided in the Quad, 616, and Plimpton Halls and in academic buildings (Lab locations).

For information about connecting to the internet from your residence hall room, visit Student Computing.

Nearby Hotels for Parents / Families

For hotel information and reservation links, visit http://barnard.edu/visit/accommodations.