1. Housing and Residential Services
  2. Moving In and Out
  3. Move Out

Moving Out

The residence halls close for summer break at the end of the semester, on May 11, 2024. Here's what you need to know about leaving for the summer.

If you’re planning on moving out at the end of the semester, you need to plan to do so within 24 hours after your last scheduled exam, and before the residence halls close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 11. You must sign up for a checkout time with your community advisor in advance of your departure.

After the residence halls close on May 11, only students who have contracted for summer housing or you’ve been approved for a late checkout may remain.

If you have any questions, talk to your community advisor or hall director or contact the Work Request Office at 815-753-4948 or wro@niu.edu.

Late Checkout

You can request a late checkout. If your request is granted, the latest you’ll be permitted to stay in the residence hall is on Saturday, May 11 at 6 p.m. Requests are not guaranteed, so plan ahead. If your request is denied, you are expected to move out 24 hours after your last scheduled final exam.

Request a Late Checkout

How to Move Out

Follow these general steps to successfully move out. This includes putting the furniture back in the original layout (see information below). Failure to follow the procedure may result in a fine of $50 or more.

You can also refer to your residence hall’s move-out checklist:

Schedule Checkout Time

Schedule a checkout time in advance. It should be within 24 hours after your last final exam

Clean and Prepare

  • Remove any trash from your room.
  • Clean and defrost your microfridge (improper defrosting will result in additional charges).
  • Close and lock your windows (you’ll be charged for any damages resulting from your window being open).
  • Close the curtains or blinds.
  • Check your mailbox and pick up any outstanding packages.
  • Change your forwarding address with USPS Mover's Guide and update your permanent address on MyNIU.

Remove Belongings

  • Remove all your belongings, including from closets and drawers.
  • Put unwanted but usable items in the Goodwill bins, which will be dropped off in hall lobbies starting May 2.

Set Your Thermostat

  • Gilbert, Grant and New Hall: Set the dial to 74°F.
  • Stevenson C and D: Leave the thermostat in the “on” position, in cool mode and set to 74°F.
  • Stevenson A and B: Leave the toggle switch in the “on” position with the dial set in the middle.

During Your Checkout Time

  • Turn off your lights.
  • Close and lock your door when you leave.
  • Return your key to the front desk during your scheduled checkout time.

Your Room's Original Furniture Layouts

Remember to put the furniture in your room back in its original layout before you move out. If you had your bed lofted at the beginning of the year, you don't need to change it before moving out.

Put each bed on either side of the room. Place desks in the corners of the room by the window. Put the MicroFridge in front of the window.

Bed Desk MicroFridge

Put each bed on either side of the room. Place desks in the corners of the room, one by each window. Place the large dresser and the small dresser under the beds. Put the MicroFridge in the middle of the far wall.

Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser

Put the bed on the side of the room the closet is on. Put the desk in the corner of the room by the window. Place the large dresser next to the MicroFridge. Put the small dresser under the bed. Put the MicroFridge by the desk.

Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser

Put each bed on either side of the room. Place desks in the corners of the room by the window. Put the MicroFridge in front of the window.

Bed Desk MicroFridge

Put the bed on the right side of the room, opposite of the AC unit, if you have one. Place desk in the corner of the room by the window and next to the bed. Put the MicroFridge in front of the window.

Bed Desk MicroFridge

Put the bed on the right side of the room. Place the desk in the corner of the room by the window. Put the large dresser under the bed.

Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser

Put one of the beds on the right side of the room and the other bed on the left side of the room along the wall the door is on. Place one of the desks in front of the right window and put the other desk on the left side of the room. Place one of the wardrobes by the left window and the other wardrobe by the door on the right side of the room. Put the MicroFridge along the far wall in the middle.

Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser Wardrobe

Put the bed on the right side of the room. Place the desk on the left side of the room. Place the wardrobe on the side of the room the bed is on, closest to the door. Place desk in the right corner of the room, by the window. Put the MicroFridge on the left side of the room, closest to the door.

Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser Wardrobe

Put each bed on either side of the room. Put one of the wardrobes near the window and the other wardrobe by the door. Place one of the desks by the window and one of the desks by the door. Place the large and small dresser under the beds. Put the MicroFridge in front of the window. Put the couch on the left side of the room with the long table in front of it. Put each chair on the right side of the room with the small table in-between them.

Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser Wardrobe Living room couch and chairs Living room tables

Put each bed on either side of the room. Put each wardrobe in the corner by the door. Put each desk in the corners by the window. Place the large and small dresser under the beds. Put the MicroFridge in front of the window. Put the couch on the far side of the room with the long table in front of it. Put one of the chairs by the couch with a small table next to it and put the other chair on the opposite side of the room.

Bed Desk MicroFridge Large dresser Small dresser Wardrobe Living room couch and chairs Living room tables

Mail Forwarding

Several days before you move out of the residence halls, please contact the Post Office to have your address updated so mail is being routed to your updated address over the summer, and please do not have packages sent to campus after May 1 to ensure they can be received.

Fees and Cleaning Charges

Rooms will be inspected by your CA for damages and cleaning charges. If there are any damages and/or cleaning issues, a fee will be charged to your NIU account. If you are concerned about your room condition, set up a time to meet with your CA before you officially check out.

Common fees include:

  • Failure to defrost and clean micro-fridge unit - $100
  • Failure to remove personal items can be assessed up to $600.

Questions?

Contact your community advisor or hall director if you have any questions about the check-out process.

Important Dates

  • Thursday, May 2 at 9 p.m.: Residence hall 24-hour quiet hours begin
  • Friday, May 10: Dining operations close at 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 11 at 6 p.m.: Residence halls close

Summer Housing

Summer housing is available in Patterson Hall. Sign up for summer housing.

Contact Us

Housing and Residential Services
Neptune East 101
housing@niu.edu
815-753-1525

Additional Contact Info

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