Schedule your Move-in Time

• Log into AccessUH and click on “myHousing” icon.
• It is important to arrive at your assigned check-in time to help limit the amount of traffic on campus and provide everyone with a smooth & easy experience.

Select your Meal Plan

• Log into AccessUH and click “Cougar Card Connect” icon.
• Review the available plans and requirements before making a selection.

Attend Summer Orientation/Enroll in Classes

Obtain your Cougar Card

• Your Cougar Card is the official access card for all students for their on-campus needs. Your Cougar Card is required to gain entry to your residence hall, access your meal plans, and other campus activities. Your card must be present during your move-in time to be able to complete your check-in process.
• Cougar Card Instructions for New Residential Students
  • There are just three simple steps to get your Cougar Card!
    1. Upload your photo in AccessUH using the Cougar Card Connect
    2. Receive photo approval.
    3. Schedule an appointment at uh.edu/cougarcard to pick up your card or join our virtual line for same-day service by clicking the CougarQ icon in AccessUH.
• Cougar Card Instructions for Returning Students
  • Lost your Cougar Card and need a replacement? Schedule a time to pick up your card from the Cougar Card Office through CougarQ in AccessUH. There is a $20 replacement fee that will need to be paid in the office at the time of pick up. You are encouraged to pick up your card before your scheduled Move-in date, so there is no delay in your Check-in process.
  • Have questions? Contact the Cougar Card Office at 832.842.CARD (2273) or cougarcard@uh.edu. Please visit Cougar Card Office Residential for more information.

Insure your personal property that you plan to bring to campus

• Student Housing & Residential Life recommends students obtain renters insurance.
• Residents may consider utilizing GradGuard College Renters Insurance, a third-party contracted partner. For more information, log into AccessUH and click on the 2025 Housing icon to access the GradGuard link.

Make a packing list

Review the suggested list of items to bring and what to leave behind. Discuss what items you will share with your roommate/suitemates to avoid duplicates.

What to Bring:

• Bicycle lock
  • UHPD recommends U-shaped bike locks for students with bicycles on campus
  • Be sure to register your bicycle with UH Parking & Transportation
• Bungee cords, plastic or tarp
  • Recommended for your assigned move-in day in case of rain
• Cleaning and housekeeping supplies
  • Spray cleaner, trash liners, small vacuum and air freshener
• Computer or laptop
• Closet organizers and hangers
• Cougar Card
  • You will need it for move-in, dining and accessing your residence hall
  • Be sure to upload your photo here
• Desk lamp and/or organizers
• Food and eating utensils
• Laundry Supplies
  • High-efficiency laundry detergent, clothes hamper, iron and ironing board
• Bedding and personal linens
  • Recommended items: pillow, blanket, quilt/comforter, pillow top or egg carton cushion, mattress pad, sheets, towels and wash cloths
    • Beds in Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II and Moody Towers are extra-long, Twin-size beds
    • Beds in Bayou Oaks, Cougar Place, The Quad and University Lofts are Full-size beds
  • Moving supplies (Boxes, moving dolly, etc.)
  • Personal decor items posters, photos, etc.
    • No nails, screws or staples are allowed for wall fixtures, only use blue painters’ tape.
  • Personal toiletries including toilet paper (Shower caddy and shower shoes for Moody Towers)
  • Surge protector
    • UH Fire Marshal requires these items to be UL-approved

A note about refrigerators

• Several residence halls come equipped with refrigerating appliances.
• Microwave-Fridge
• Moody Towers
• Mini-Fridge
• Cougar Village I, Cougar Village
• Full-size Refrigerator
• Bayou Oaks, Cougar Place, The Quad and University Lofts
• Due to limited space, it is NOT RECOMMENDED that students bring extra refrigerating appliances.

Packing Tip

• Be sure to pack all belongings in boxes or totes. Loose items can easily be lost or misplaced. All boxes and totes should be labeled with the students’ name, residence hall and room number so they can be clearly identified. All electronics must be boxed.
• Students are strongly encouraged to insure their personal property and carry renters’ insurance, whether that be a special policy or as a part of the parents' or guardians' homeowners' policy.

Emergency Preparedness Kit

In case of an unforeseen emergency, an emergency preparedness kit is recommended. Each kit should contain supplies for a 72-hour period. For a full list of recommended items, visit the UH Office of Emergency Management Emergency Preparedness website.

What to leave behind:

• Candles or incense
• Drugs/paraphernalia
• Extension cords and multi-plug adapters
  • Fire Marshal prohibits the use of extension cords. Surge protectors are OK but must be UL-approved.
• Fireworks
• Hoverboards
• Large amounts of cash
• Microwaves
  • While it is OK to bring a microwave, we encourage most students not to. Most residence halls have them in individual rooms/suites and community kitchens.
• Open-coil heating or cooking devices (i.e., toaster ovens, hot plates, space heaters, air fryers)
• Pets
  • Pets (other than fish in a maximum 10-gallon tank) are not allowed on campus.
• Non-battery-operated string lights such as Christmas lights.
• Tobacco
  • UH is a tobacco-free campus, this includes the use of electronic cigarettes and vape pens
• Weapons or anything that can be construed as a weapon*

*Use or possession of any items used as weapons, including, but not limited to, handguns, firearms, ammunition, fireworks, pellet guns, paintball guns, BB guns, knives, tasers, or explosive or noxious materials are prohibited on UH premises except in accordance with federal, state, local law and/or UH policy. NOTE: Read UH's policy regarding Campus Carry online.

Students will receive a message confirming their move-in time through their email. Arriving during your move-in time will make your move-in process easier and more convenient.

Move-in instructions vary by residence hall. Please review the instructions for your residence hall below.

Cougar Place, Cougar Village I & II, Moody Towers and The Quad

Residents assigned to these communities will report to the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center at your scheduled move-in time to receive your room key and building access.

Check-in instructions 

1. Arrive at the UH Campus Recreation & Wellness Center. Complimentary parking is available for students and guests during move-in at the University Gateway Garage located near the Campus Rec.
2. At the Campus Rec you will complete the check-in process for your assigned room and receive your unloading pass. Please bring your Cougar Card to complete this process.
3. After checking in, return to your vehicle and follow the color-coded directional signage to navigate to your residence hall.
   1. CV1 – Yellow
   2. CV2 – Purple
   3. CP – Green
   4. QU – Blue
   5. MT – Orange
4. Once you arrive at your residence hall you will receive instructions and help with unloading your vehicle.
   • Student Housing & Residential Life has partnered with University and Student Services to provide a full-service move-in experience for residents living in Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II, Cougar Place, Moody Towers and The Quad.
     • USS staff will unload your belongings into bins and deliver them to your room while you go and park your vehicle. Please note only one vehicle per student is allowed to go through the unloading process.
     • USS will only unload your vehicle once. Any additional loads or vehicles are the responsibility of the student to unload and move in outside of regular move-in hours.
   • After your vehicle is unloaded, you’ll be directed to park in a designated parking lot. You can then return to your assigned residence hall and begin setting up your new home!

University Lofts

Residents assigned to University Lofts will report to the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center at your scheduled move-in time to receive your room key and building access.

Check-in instructions

1. Arrive at the UH Campus Recreation & Wellness Center. Complimentary parking is available for students and guests during move-in at the University Gateway Garage located near the Campus Rec.
2. At the Campus Rec you will complete the check-in process for your assigned room and receive your unloading pass. Please bring your Cougar Card to complete this process.
3. After checking in, return to your vehicle and follow the gray color-coded directional signage to navigate to University Lofts.
4. Once you arrive at your hall you volunteers will be there to assist you with unloading your vehicle with move-in bins.
5. After your vehicle is unloaded, you’ll be directed to park in a designated area and go with the volunteers to deliver your items to your room, unload the bins and the volunteers will return the bins to the check-in area.
6. You can then begin setting up your new home!

Bayou Oaks

Residents assigned to Bayou Oaks will report to the residence hall at your scheduled move-in time to receive your room key and building access.

Check-in instructions

1. Arrive at Bayou Oaks and report to the front desk to receive your room key and building access.
2. Unload your vehicle using the provided move-in bins.
3. After your vehicle is unloaded, you’ll be directed to park in a designated parking lot. You can then return to your apartment and begin setting up your new home!

Move-in days are busy times on campus so please be patient, and most importantly...have fun!

Student Housing & Residential Life can accommodate a limited number of early check-ins for residents arriving on campus before Aug. 20, 2025. Please review the details and instructions below:

• Early arrival can be requested by emailing housing@uh.edu
• Students who check in before Aug. 20, 2025, will be charged a daily rate based on their room type

Check-in will take place at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20 through Friday, Aug. 22 and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Students arriving after 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday should report to the Campus Rec to complete their check-in process. Staff will be available at the Campus Rec until 8 p.m. but move-in assistance will not be provided at the residence hall. 

Students arriving after 3 p.m. Saturday should report directly to their residence hall to complete their check-in process. Move-in assistance will not be provided.

If you are unable to arrive during a designated move-in day (Wednesday through Saturday), you will be able to check-in at your assigned residence hall front desk beginning Aug. 24, 2025.

Heat Safety

August in Houston is very hot – temperatures can reach well over 100°F. Wear cool and comfortable clothing, sunscreen, and most importantly, drink A LOT of water!

We recommend bring a personal water bottle to use at the refill stations around campus.

Technology Services

Information regarding technology assistance can be found on the UH IT website.

Emergency Planning

UH ALERT is the official emergency notification system for the University of Houston. UH ALERT is used to provide prompt notification to students, faculty, and staff if there is a condition that may threaten the health or safety of those on campus. To learn more about this service and sign up for alerts on the UH ALERT website.

The University of Houston is vulnerable to impacts from tropical storms and hurricanes. This Hurricane Planning Guide provides guidelines and establishes protocols for an organized response to a hurricane. It addresses pre-storm preparation and post-storm recovery as well as management of the campus during a storm. Read more on the UH Office of Emergency Management website.

The University of Houston Police Department (UHPD) can be reached at 713-743-3333 or by dialing 911 from a campus phone. For resources and information, please visit www.uh.edu/police/.

Welcome, Coog families and supporters! 

Moving into university housing is a big milestone—not just for students, but for friends and loved ones too. Whether you're traveling to campus to help your student unpack or offering support from afar, we’re here to help ensure a smooth transition. 

Preparing for Move-In Days 

Start with knowledge . We suggest reviewing the information contained within our Move-in Guide and communications emailed to all residential students.  As information is sent to students, a copy will also be found here.  

Arrive within your check-in window. Each residence hall has specific check-in times, parking instructions and unloading zones. Students can visit their housing portal for a reminder of their self-selected timeframes.  Arriving at scheduled times helps reduce congestion and ensures a smoother process for everyone.  We’ve coordinated your move-in time with volunteer support and workers from University and Student Services.  Teams will be on hand at each area to help unload cars and efficiently direct traffic.  We want your time to be focused on settling in and becoming acclimated with campus! 
 
Keep self-care and comfort in mind.  If traveling to campus, remember, we are in Houston in August. The weather may be hot, rainy, or both—check the forecast and dress comfortably.  Water receptacles will be stationed outside each residence hall. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill up.  Having a few snacks on hand can be a good idea as well! 

During Move-in

Park in designated areas . To assist with parking, designated parking lots and garages close to residence halls will allow access for visitors from Aug. 20–23. Take a moment to review our move-in directions. Take note, check-in will take place at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center for all communities except Bayou Oaks. Bayou Oaks residents report directly to the community. For GPS directions to the University Gateway Garage, use the following address:  4259 Martin Luther King Blvd., Houston, TX 77004. 
 
Follow traffic signage. Campus traffic patterns are altered during move-in so be prepared to follow designated routes and color-coded signage to each building. 

Visit the main lobby.  Our staff will be on hand taking photos, publicizing upcoming programming and providing tips to help students succeed.     
 
Seek Assistance. Move-in can be overwhelming and sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. If you or your student needs assistance, please guide them to visit the 24-hour desk in each residence hall.  Knowledgeable student staff can help. In addition, look for our friendly staff wearing badges and gold lanyards. They are trained to assist with move-in challenges, directions and quick fixes.

Move-in and Beyond

Moving onto campus is a big step and your support will go a long way.  Encouraging students to do the following helps them to feel connected and supports their personal and academic success at the University of Houston.

Make connections. Some of the top contributors to success at the University of Houston are making connections and developing a sense of belonging.  Challenge your student to attend events from day 1.  Meeting new people, joining organizations and participating in activities adds to the overall college experience. 
 
Encourage the use of academic resources. Supportive academic offices are available to assist students.  While many were discussed during orientation, remind them to seek help early in the semester.  A list of helpful resources can be found at the websites below:

• Retention and Graduation Initiatives
• Undergraduate Student Success Center 

Encourage advocacy. Encourage your student to confidently ask for help. Each residence hall has dedicated professional staff ready to assist with navigating campus life.   In addition, students can connect with peers who serve as Resident Advisors (RA) and Community Mentors (CM).  They are available to meet 1:1 for personal concerns, provide referrals to other offices and host programming after hours.  Desk Assistants (DA) also staff 24-hour front desks providing a welcoming atmosphere and information about many aspects of UH. 
 
Remember, CoogsCare. Wellbeing comes in many forms and the University of Houston cares about individual and collective health within our community.  CoogsCare is an initiative that supports all members. Reassure your student that they are a part of a supportive campus community.  
 
We are excited you are part of the University of Houston community!  Your support is critical to student success.  For any questions concerning move-in or on-campus housing in general, please reach out to our central office by phone at 713-743-6000 or email at housing@uh.edu. Individual residence halls phone numbers can be found here. 
 
Go Coogs!