Contracting Closes at 11:59pm Friday, May 1st.
As of 11:59pm on Friday, May 1, 2026, University Housing has stopped accepting Residence Hall Contracts for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. If you do not have a submitted contract or a submitted exemption at this time, you will be given an automatic exemption from the UWM Residency Requirement and may pursue other housing options through the Off-Campus Resource Center. We do acknowledge that we will have cancellations over the next coming months and encourage you to place yourself on our residence hall wait list through the Housing Portal if you still wish to live with us in University Housing. We will offer contracts based on the wait list as spaces become available.

Planning and Packing for College Life

If you or your student have never been in a residence hall room, you may be wondering what to bring on Move-In day. Space may be limited, but there are so many creative ways to make it your own. Below you’ll find recommendations, information on optional rentals, and a few places where you can purchase what you may still need.

Items We Recommend

University Housing has created lists of items that are recommended, optional, or prohibited inside rooms. When is doubt, bring less than you think you will need. You may be able to make an additional trip during the weeks following Move-In to bring more clothing or larger items.

We highly encourage residents to pack cleaning/disinfecting products that contain bleach. To clean bathroom vanities and shower walls, please purcahse a product that contains a mold/mildew-specific cleaning agent.

Items to Bring
Twin extra-long bedding1
Alarm clock
Clothes hangers
Towels & washcloth
Stick vacuum cleaner
Bathrobe & shower shoes
Toiletries (including toilet paper)
Small toiletries container
Laundry basket/bag & HE detergent
(basket with wheels is highly recommended)
Coffee mug & dishes
Dish soap & sponge
Plastic storage containers
Umbrella
Headphones
Flashlight
Power strip
Cleaning supplies with bleach
Room decorations
Items NOT to Bring
Microwave2,3
Minifridge3
Halogen/Lava lamps
Lamps with plastic lamp shades
Self-adhesive LED lights
Laundry scent beads
Toaster4
George Foreman grill4
Pizza oven4
Sandwich makers4
Candles
Anything combustible
Pets (except fish)
Alcohol (if underage)
Illegal drugs
Weapons
Space heaters
Appliances with exposed heating elements
Optional Items
Computer
Ethernet cord*
Throw rug
Crates or stacking containers
Air fryer (use only in kitchens)
Radio/stereo
TV/DVD & streaming device
Paper towels
Fan
Sewing kit, scissors, & safety pins
Personal sports equipment
Hot pot
Coffeemaker
Desk lamp (not halogen or with plastic lampshade)
Extension cord(s)
Dry erase board

1 Full extra-long bedding in Kenilworth.
2 Furnished in East and Cambridge Commons Upgrade kitchens; Sandburg North/South/West Tower floor lounges; and all building shared kitchens. Only allowed to be brought into Cambridge Standard suites if <1000 Watts.
3 If wanting a personal minifridge and/or microwave, you are able to rent a Microfridge unit.
4 Allowed in East & Cambridge Upgrade suites only if kept in kitchens. Toasters are provided in shared floor kitchens and some common lounge areas.
* Item may be purchased at any of our Service Desks.

Making It Feel Like “Home”

Deciding what you or your student may want for their “home away from home” environment can be daunting. Our partners IKEA and SWAKU can give you some great ideas! If you ship an order prior to 2 weeks before the official start of Move-In, make sure to have it delivered to your home address or the order may be sent back to the seller.

SWAKU online store front for college room decoration, featuring a full-size bed with gray, blue and white bed linens.
Supporting Student-Centered Initiatives
If you’re searching for that perfect look, or have a hard time finding extra-long linens, check out SWAKU’s UW-Milwaukee store front for all things “college-room” ready! Our very own Student Housing Administrative Council (SHAC) sponsors this site, with a portion of sales used to fund many Housing initiatives.
Outfit Your Room
IKEA home page online.
Tour Suite Decorating
You may have seen the staged spaces inside our four residential buildings while on a tour and fell in love with that certain item, look or feel. While University Housing provides every resident with a bed frame, mattress, desk, chair, waste basket and either a closet organizer or small dresser, the rest of those uniquely decorated suites are sponsored by IKEA. Visit them online or in person to find your faves!
Find Your IKEA Faves

Rentals For Your Room

For the safety of our residents and

Lofts

If you wish to loft your bed, you must rent a loft kit from University Housing. Homemade or purchased, third-party lofts are not permitted in any University Housing facilities*. The cost for a loft rental is $150/year ($75 for Spring/Semester II-only). If you are interested in renting a loft, please request one in your Housing Portal up until August 1 (January 1 for Spring/Semester II-only). Lofts requested by this date will be delivered to residents’ rooms by the official start of Fall or Spring Move-In.

* Kenilworth bed frames are not eligible for lofting.

Micro-Fridge 3-in-1 Unit

If you would like to rent a combination microwave-refrigerator-freezer unit, you may do so at www.mymicrofridge.com. These are the only microwaves allowed to be in individual rooms/suites. University Housing provides community-use microwaves and toasters in every house for those who elect not to rent through the program.

Packing 101

Make sure all of your belongings are packed securely in boxes or sturdy baskets. During Move-In, you will have access to moving carts. If you are able to easily stack your belongings on these carts, you will significantly speed up the Move-In process. Loose items are hard to transport.

You don’t need to bring all of your belongings during Move-In! Bring what you know you will need, then wait a few days until you have a better idea of how much space you have once your roommate has moved in. You can always bring more items after the official Move-In period. Plan a weekend road trip!

Use plastic bins with locking lids as moving containers. Once you’re here, these bins become under-bed or closet storage containers to make your space organized. Plus, you reduce cardboard waste!

Ordering Books

The UWM Panther Shop and Online Bookstore is powered by Follett. Students can navigate directly to panthershopuwm.com, select Textbooks in the top menu, and create a list of semester courses for which they need materials. Textbooks, along with an abundance of course supplies, can be ordered online and shipped FREE directly to the Panther Shop for in-store pick-up! Students can also register for Textbook Rental.