Residence Hall Check In/ Check Out Procedures

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Questions about Check In
Hall Check Out

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Student Resources Online

What is the purpose of Check In?

Residence Hall check-in and check-out procedures for the fall, spring, and summer sessions are processes through which the Housing Assignment Office accounts for a resident's occupancy and provides essential services such as Card Access. Students who check in and check out properly create a record of their occupancy with the Housing Assignment Office. Students who leave their residence hall assignment without checking out properly forfeit their right to any refund of their base room fee that they may be eligible to receive.

Please retain copies of all/any receipts given to you during the check-in or check-out process at your residence hall cluster office.

To check in students must go to their cluster office to complete the following:
• Sign for your room key
• Check your ID for Card Access
• Complete a Room Inventory Checklist

Students also receive important documents at Check In such as:
• The Daily Planner for Academic Success
• Letter from the Dean of Students
• Information concerning alcoholic beverages regulations, House Council and Variable Rate Surcharge

Important Note: In order to receive UMass Amherst communications in a timely manner, it is expected that you will set up your OIT e-mail account and the voice mail in your room after you move in, and that you will check your e-mail, voice mail and mailbox on a regular basis.

Questions about Check In

What if I move into my room before Opening Day, do I have to check in?
Yes. If you move into your housing assignment before Opening Day during the early arrival period, and do not check in, you will be assessed the early arrival fee and face disciplinary proceedings.

What happens if I do not check in during the designated opening period?
If you do not check in properly at your cluster office during the designated opening period, your housing assignment will be canceled on the first day of classes, and your UCard will be deactivated. Your no-show status could also affect your enrollment status, as the university may believe you will not be attending classes.

What if I plan to arrive after the end of the designated opening period?
You must contact the Housing Assignment Office, 545-2100, before classes begin and inform them of your intended arrival date.

Do I have to check in if I change my assignment during the semester?
Yes. You are required to follow all of the Housing Assignment Office and Residence Life procedures for room changes. Upon being given permission to move to a new assignment from either your Residence Director or the Housing Assignment Office, you will have 48 hours to move. You must check-in properly to your new assignment through the cluster office as well as check-out properly through your previous cluster office. Failure to check-out properly by returning your key and completing an inventory may result in housing charges being placed on your bursars account.

Please Note: If you move into another student's space, or a vacant space, and have not followed these procedures, you will be billed an unauthorized move fee, relocated to your actual housing assignment, and face disciplinary proceedings.

Hall Check Out

How do I check out of my room?

Mid Semester
If you are withdrawing from the University and/or canceling your assignment mid-semester, you must remove all of your belongings from the room and check out through the cluster office by returning your key and completing an inventory within 48 hours of canceling your assignment. After you have completed your check-out, you must bring your key receipt to the Housing Assignment Office to verify your check-out. If you vacate your residence hall assignment during the refund period, your key receipt is required to generate a refund to your bursar account.

Please Note: Leaving your key with your roommate, a floor mate, under the door of the cluster office or not returning it at all are all examples of improper check-outs. The Housing Assignment Office considers you in occupancy of an assignment until you return your room key to the cluster office. Your key receipt is an important piece of documentation and our office strongly encourages you to check-out properly and to retain all receipts.

End of Semester Fall
Students living in non 9-month residence halls leaving for the winter session break who are planning to return to the same assignment for spring semester do not need check out completely and remove of their belongings from the room. However they must return their room key which will be re-issued when they return for spring semester.

Students who have cancelled or requested an assignment change for spring semester including a pull-in must remove your property from your room, complete an inventory checklist, and turn in all keys and temporary access cards that were assigned to you by the designated closing date and time. The residence hall staff will sign for these items and issue a key card receipt and a copy of the inventory checklist for your records.

You will be billed for lost keys and temporary access cards if you fail to turn in these items before leaving campus. Keys and temporary access cards may not be turned in after the residence halls have closed for the semester. You must leave your room broom-clean. You may be charged a cleaning fee if you fail to do so. Complete the inventory checklist with a staff member. If the checklist is not completed, you will be held financially accountable for the condition of your room and furnishings based on inventories conducted in your absence. Appeals of charges are not allowed if your inventory checklist is not completed.

If you have any questions about the check out procedures, please consult the staff at their cluster office.

Please Note: Checking out of your assignment at the end of the fall semester does not indicate your intentions to cancel your housing assignment. All requests for cancellation of an assignment must be made directly with the Housing Assignment Office either by phone or in person at 235 Whitmore. For more information on cancelling your assignment please click here.

End of Semester Spring
All residents must remove their belongings from their room, complete an inventory checklist, and turn in all keys and temporary access cards that were assigned to them by the designated closing date and time.

The residence hall staff will sign for these items and issue a key card receipt and a copy of the inventory checklist for your records. You will be billed for lost keys and temporary access cards if you fail to turn in these items before leaving campus. Keys and temporary access cards may not be turned in after the residence halls have closed for the semester. You must leave your room broom-clean. You may be charged a cleaning fee if you fail to do so. Complete the inventory checklist with a staff member. If the checklist is not completed, you will be held financially accountable for the condition of your room and furnishings based on inventories conducted in your absence. Appeals of charges are not allowed if your inventory checklist is not completed.

If you have any questions about the check out procedures, please consult the staff at their cluster office.

Can I check out between semesters?
If you are withdrawn from the University or cancel your assignment and have not removed your belongings by the end of finals week, you must contact the Housing Assignment Office to arrange a check out time with your area office.

If you do not remove your belongings before the designated early arrival and opening periods, you will be assessed an administrative fee as well as a blocked room fee for failure to prepare your room for an incoming roommate for the spring semester. These fees are in addition to any cancellation fee you may have already incurred. Refer to the rates and fees page