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What to bring and what to leave at home

This is a list of things you may want to bring to campus. If you have a roommate, be sure to coordinate to prevent overcrowding your room.

Living & Sleeping

  • Alarm clock
  • Backrest/floor cushions
  • Blanket/comforter/duvet
  • Carpet/area rug/bath rug
  • Desk/floor lamps (not halogen)
  • Extension cord (size 16 or less, UL certified)
  • Extra-long twin sheets
    (The standard mattress size is 36 x 80, and takes “Extra-Long Twin” or “Twin XL” linens)
  • Face coverings 
  • Fan
  • Games/playing cards
  • Mattress pad
  • Pictures/picture frames (use adhesive option such as Command Strips, no wall mounting)
  • Pillows/pillowcases
  • Power strip (must have integrated circuit breaker)/surge protectors
  • String lights (may not be hung from pipes)
  • Non-Mercury thermometer
  • U-Style Bike Lock

Storing & Organizing

  • Batteries
  • Command-brand hooks
  • Desk organizers
  • Hangers/closet organizers
  • Storage units
  • Over-the-door racks

Laundry

  • Detergent
  • Iron (with auto shut-off)/ironing board
  • Laundry bag/hamper
  • Safety pins/sewing kit

Eating

  • Can opener/bottle opener
  • Coffee mugs/cups
  • Dish soap
  • Dish cloth and towel
  • Flatware/utensils
  • Mini microwave (<800 Watts). Mini microwaves (as part of a microwave-fridge combination) are also available to rent from College Products. 
  • Plates/bowls/containers
  • Refrigerator (<5.5 cubic feet and 1.5 amps). You can also rent a refrigerator from College Products.
  • Salt and pepper shakers
  • Reusable water bottles

What to leave at home 

For more details,  see Community Living Standards in the Community Living at Michigan doument. Below are some of the most common items that students may think of packing — but should leave at home.

  • Appliances with an open heating coil

    • electric skillet or grill or toaster oven or hot plate
    •  slow cookers (including hotpots, instant pots and crockpots),
    • electric devices without automatic shutoff (coffee pot, heating pad)
  • Bed risers and other materials that elevate the bed 
  • Candles, wax burners and incense
  • Hoverboards
  • Electric Scooters (If you bring one, it  may NOT be brought inside any University building)
  • Humidifiers and dehumidifiers (unless approved in advance by Housing)
  • Mercury thermometers
  • Pets
  • 3D Printers
  • Vapes, vape pens, e-cigars, and smokeless tobacco products
  • Weapons, airsoft or nerf guns and blades longer than 3 inches.
  • Wireless routers 

Please visit Community Living at Michigan Standards (page 4) for more information

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