Fall Mustang Move-In

Updated: Aug. 10, 2023

2023-24 General Move-in Dates 

New first-year and transfer students move in Thursday-Friday Sept. 14-15. 
Most new students will move in on Sept. 14-15. **WOW check-in is TBD.**

Continuing students (second year and above) move in Monday-Tuesday, Sept.18-19.

2023-24 Early Move-in Dates

Early Start Programs participants can move in early as part of their campus commitment to support fall opening. Learn more here.>> 

Move-in Appointments

All residents must reserve a move-in appointment to unload their vehicles, check in, and park on campus for the day. Book a move-in date and time in your Housing Portal under Mustang Move-in. You will be able to view all available time slots in the drop-off zone for your assigned community. Each time slot is 15 minutes.

Reservations will open to new students on Wednesday, Aug. 23. Continuing students can reserve starting Wednesday, Aug. 30.

Maps and Instructions

To ensure a safe and convenient experience, follow the specific Mustang Move-in map for your community. Our maps include directions to Cal Poly, campus traffic routes, designated drop-off zones based on housing assignment, long-term parking information, and check-in locations.
Grand Ave. Entrance, Sept. 14-15
Highland Dr. Entrance, Sept. 14-15

Continuing Map, Sept. 18-19

Depending on your housing assignment, you will enter campus through Grand Avenue or Highland Drive/Hwy 1 to ensure you are routed to the drop-off zone closest to your building. If you enter at the wrong campus entry point, you will be re-routed off-campus to get you back to the correct entry point. Do not use GPS; it does not count for campus move-in routes and road closures. 

No RVs, oversized vehicles, U-Hauls or trailers. They cannot navigate parking structures, sharp turns on campus roads, or pass through our drop-off zones. 

Ship to Room Service & Mailing to Campus

Cal Poly Distribution Services is offering a Ship to Room service for those who would like to ship items directly to themselves/their student. Shipped items will be placed in the student's room prior to move-in day. Items must be shipped via an approved shipper such as USPS, FedEx, or UPS. Items must be received at least five days prior to move-in. The deadline to sign up for this service is Thursday, Aug. 31.

If you only have one or two small boxes to send, you may save on shipping by mailing them to campus as resident mail. Distribution Services accepts resident mail starting Sept. 1. Package Centers will be open with extended hours of operation during move-in to pick up items shipped to campus. Those hours are currently posted on their website.

Tips and Reminders

Campus housing is located on hilly terrain. Be prepared to climb stairs. September days on the Central Coast are warm. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen and bring water. Leave pets at home.

What's Provided

Your new home comes furnished and move-in ready. View floor plans and amenities for campus residences here:

• yakʔitʸutʸu
• Sierra Madre & Yosemite Halls
• South Mountain Halls
• North Mountain Halls
• Cerro Vista Apartments
• Poly Canyon Village Apartments

What to Bring (and Leave at Home)

Pack light! You can bring additional items at breaks, if you need them. Place items in reusable bags or bins that you can stow in your room or take home. Avoid cardboard. Take new items out of packaging before you pack them to reduce overflowing waste bins on campus.

Check our "What to Bring" suggestion checklists, and talk with your roommates/apartment-mates about items to share. Leave prohibited items at home.

Residence Halls: What to Bring List (pdf)

Apartments: What to Bring List (pdf)

Approved portable air cleaners (PACs):

PACs are recommended because they are effective at removing inhalable particles from the indoor air. As such PACs are useful in reducing the quantities aerosols, including respiration which contain viruses. 

Selection/Sizing of a PAC unit:

1. All PACs need to have the Energy Star rating.
2. 400W max
3. Use the 2/3’s rule for air filtration standards – Bedroom spaces are typically under 220 square feet.
4. Locate the CSRD rating of the PAC for tobacco filtration. CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) is basically a reflection of the air flow (CFM) times the efficiency of the air filter, and tobacco is a good measure for aerosols viruses or respiration. Most PACs start with a tobacco CSRD of 150, which is above the minimum needed for a 220 sqft bedroom.
5. Select a PAC that meets or exceed the 2/3rd value to the CADR rating for tobacco of the PAC. 

Here are some units that meet these selection criteria:

• Sharp True FPK50UW
• TruSens Z-3500
• Honeywell HPA 030B
• GermGuardian - AC4711W
• GermGuardian – AC5600WDLX  

Mustang Welcome Team

Help create amazing memories and connections for students and supporters during Mustang Move-in by welcoming them as they arrive and move in to Cal Poly housing.

There are many opportunities to assist at our move-in drop-off zones, set-up, tear down or check-in locations. And, you can sign up for more than one shift, if your time allows.

Cal Poly faculty and staff, including management personnel, please sign up here to participate.  Students, sign up here to participate.