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Housing and Residence Life
Living Learning Center 215
111 South Green Drive
Athens, OH 45701
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740.593.4089
Housing and Residence Life
South green in the fall.
Fall Early Arrival
Move-in Information

Fall Early Arrival Housing Information

Students who need to arrive early to campus due to requirements of their academic program, to work for the University to assist in fall semester move in, or to volunteer for Bobcat Move-In Crew* may apply for an early campus arrival. Approved students will be able to move into their fall assigned space early. 

For information regarding the traditional fall move in, check out the Fall Arrival Guide.

Note: The information on this page is for the 2026-2027 academic year. Updated information for the following year will be available in 2027.

Early Arrival Dates

Students can return to campus on the Saturday prior to the traditional fall move in period. For fall 2026, the move in date for early arrival is Saturday, August 15.

  • Students approved for early arrival can check in on Saturday, August 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
  • If unable to check in during this time, the only other available check-in windows are Saturday, August 15 to Wednesday, August 19, between 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. only.

Early Arrival Application

The Early Arrival Request Application opens on June 1 and is available for eligible students. To complete the application, students can visit their Housing Self-Service page, click on the ‘Contracts & Applications’ tab, and select Early Arrival Request Application.

The Early Arrival Request Application is available for students who:

  • need to arrive early to campus to meet requirements of their academic program
  • work for the University to assist in fall semester move-in

Housing Self-Service

  • Early Arrival Cost

    The cost for arriving early to campus is $125, regardless of the date the student checks in ahead of the traditional move-in dates.

  • Cancel an Early Arrival Request

    If you make a reservation to arrive early to campus and you no longer need to arrive early, you must email housing@ohio.edu to cancel.

Bobcat Move-In Crew*

If you wish to volunteer for the Bobcat Move-In Crew, you only need to complete the Bobcat Move-In Crew Application. The Bobcat Move-In Crew application will be honored as your request for early arrival. 

Those volunteering for Bobcat Move-In Crew, and complete the training and all required shifts, will have the early arrival housing cost waived. Students who opt to have the early arrival meal plan, and participate in Bobcat Move-In Crew, will still be responsible for the meal plan cost.

Early Arrival Resources

  • Mail

    Mail Services may have limited to no operation prior to fall semester opening. Mail should be slated to be delivered the Monday prior to the semester start (Monday, August 24).

    Mail Services Hours

  • Food Service and Options

    Students can complete an Early Arrival Meal Plan Application or the Bobcat Move-In Crew Application on their Housing Self-Service to select from two early arrival meal plan options:

    • Block 4 meal plan for $44
    • Block 8 meal plan for $88

    The meal plan is active from brunch on Sunday, August 16 through breakfast on Thursday, August 20.

    Housing Self-Service

  • Transportation and Parking

    Visit the Transportation and Parking website to learn about available lots and lot closures.

    Transportation and Parking

Accommodations & Bed Lofts

Please be aware that the any housing accommodation or bed loft order will be in place prior to the traditional fall move in process beginning August 20. If you are a student who arrives earlier than the traditional fall move in process your accommodation or bed loft delivery may not be completed prior to your arrival.