Welcome to UC Berkeley!

Photo by Brittany Hosea-Small

We’re excited that you’ll be living on campus, and we look forward to sharing all the details you will need as you transition into Berkeley life. Please refer to the housing portal for your room assignment and residence hall contract information.

Move In for campus housing will occur from August 20–23, but each building will have a specified Move-in day. Your Move-in day will depend on your housing assignment. Students received an email that prompted them to select a one-hour time slot to move in. A multiple day timeline allows us to reduce population density and diminish foot traffic for buildings during each time slot.

Please note that you must move in on your appointed day (not earlier or later), and you will only be able to choose a time slot on that day. In normal circumstances, we are able to accommodate some time slot adjustments, but during the pandemic, we must adhere to a strict schedule for testing and self-sequestering in order to meet local and state public safety requirements.

For new incoming students: New Student Services is working with us to ensure that you will be able to access important Golden Bear Orientation sessions that may overlap with your move-in day. For details about Golden Bear Orientation, visit orientation.berkeley.edu.

Please contact the Housing Office at 510.642.4108 or at reshall@berkeley.edu if you have any questions.

COVID-19 Testing and Sequestration for Students in Residence Halls

Please note that for public health and safety, students in residence halls will be required to take a UC Berkeley COVID-19 test through University Health Services on their Move-in day and agree to self-sequester for 7–10 days when they arrive. You will need to show proof that you have taken the UHS COVID-19 test before you can move into your residence hall. Please plan to arrive at least two hours before your Move-in time slot so that you can complete your testing. Tests offered through other organizations, including the Innovative Genomics Institute, will not be accepted.

The campus will pay for asymptomatic surveillance testing at no expense to residents, regardless of insurance. You will be tested a second time at the end of the sequestering period to start a cycle of regular testing. We do not anticipate that we will have a way to verify and accept COVID-19 tests from other locations or institutions, so plan to be tested when you arrive at Berkeley. Any further testing necessary due to symptoms or close contact with a known positive case will be handled at University Health Services, again with no out-of-pocket expense for this testing (100% covered by insurance).

Sequestering is a preventative measure where people intentionally restrict their movement to avoid physical contact with others. During the sequester period, students will remain within their living area, but of course leave their rooms to use the restroom and receive essential services. Cal Dining meal service will be provided at or close to your residence hall during the sequester period.

More information will be provided soon about testing and sequestering. For further information about the campus’ COVID-19 response, please visit coronavirus.berkeley.edu.

How to Get Your COVID-19 Test

On Tuesday, August 18, students will be able to schedule an appointment online for their required UC Berkeley COVID-19 test. An advance appointment is required. Testing will be done at a central location away from housing units, so you will need to choose an appointment that allows you to be tested 1–2 hours before your move-in time slot. For more information, including how to schedule your move-in test, where to go, and what to expect, please visit the University Health Services Move-in COVID-19 testing page.

When you arrive on campus, go directly to the University Health Services COVID-19 Move-in testing station, which will be located outdoors in the Bancroft/Fulton parking lot (next to the Legends Aquatic Center). The testing station will be open 8:30am–4:30pm on Move-in days.

After you have been tested, you will receive a testing confirmation slip. If you are in a residence hall, you will need to have this confirmation slip in order to check into your housing unit.

Please note: Only students will be allowed in waiting lines for testing, so your family and friends will need to wait for you away from the line. A short-term “waiting zone” parking area will be available near the testing center. Follow the posted signs for directions.

Parking: A short-term “waiting zone” parking area will be available nearby at 2211 Bancroft Way. It’s recommended that your helpers wait in your car or vehicle during your testing time, as only students will be allowed in the testing area.

Follow-up COVID test information: As of Tuesday, Aug. 25, residents are encouraged to schedule their follow-up test through University Health Services. Schedule your test for a date one week after your Move-in day. You must remain sequestered until the results of your test have been confirmed.

Move-In Time Slots

We’ll ask all students to respect their chosen time slot when moving in, as a limited number of people can be allowed in each residence at a time. Your two helpers will be allowed access to your housing unit during your time slot. After that, we will ask that you free up space for the next cohort moving in.

If you miss your time slot, you may be required to sequester in a housing unit that is not your assigned unit until all other students have finished moving in on your assigned day. If this happens, you may spend the sequestering period in designated isolation housing and/or be reassigned to a building that has not begun sequestering. So we encourage you to schedule extra time before your time slot for travel, testing, and check in.

Move-In for Apartments

For students moving into campus apartments, it is strongly recommended that you take part in the campus’ COVID-19 testing program and self-sequester for seven days after you arrive. (It is required for students in residence halls.) Apartments have different living arrangements from the residential halls, and are considered their own living “pods.”

Before Your Move-In Day

Review the Checklist of what to bring (and what not to bring).

Check the My Room section for more information about green living, technology, renters insurance, and more.

See Offers to take advantage of deals and discounts exclusive to Berkeley students.

Room numbers will be available when you arrive on campus. If you need to show proof of your housing contract to a campus office, please refer to your contract confirmation page in the housing portal.

When Planning Your Move In

Some recommendations and resources to plan your move-in day:

Be on time for your time slot. In order for the campus testing and self-sequestering plan to meet local and state public safety requirements, everyone in the residence hall building must begin sequestering at the same time. If you miss your time slot, you will likely be asked to self-sequester in another housing unit. If this happens, you may spend the sequestering period in designated isolation housing and/or be reassigned to a building that has not begun sequestering.

If this happens, you may spend the sequestering period in designated isolation housing and/or be reassigned to a building that has not begun sequestering. If you will be arriving from out of town, consider coming a day early and finding local accommodations for the night.

If you will be using public transportation, seek to schedule your ride, buy tickets, and/or plan your route ahead of time. Be aware that some public transit systems may have adjusted hours and routes, so you may wish to call ahead to confirm. See the Parking & Directions page on our website for local transportation options.

If you will be using a delivery service to ship your belongings, please contact your housing unit (Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Blackwell, Clark Kerr, Martinez Commons) for information about where items can be dropped off and be sure to coordinate with any storage company in advance. Have a plan for moving items into your room, as only you and your two helpers will be able to access your residence.

If your family and loved ones will be on campus, plan to spend your time together outside of your housing unit. This creates space for other students moving in. At the end of your move-in day, only residents and staff will be allowed access to your building.

What to Expect On Your Move-in Day

For questions on move-in days, call the hotline at 510.642.4108.

For August 2020 Move In, it’s advised that you arrive at least two hours before your move-in time slot. If you are moving into a residence hall, you will first need to be tested for COVID-19, then take your confirmation of testing to your housing unit for check in.

At the beginning of your Move-in time slot, you will be able to check in at the central courtyard or main entrance of your housing unit. (If you live in an apartment, please check your email for details about how to check in.) Members of Cal Housing will be at your residence hall to greet you and help with the check-in process.

During Move In, you can also expect:

Waiting lines on and around campus will be tightly directed in order to adhere to physical distancing requirements and other precautions for public health. Please pay attention to posted signs.

Only students will be allowed in testing and check-in lines. Family and friends will need to wait for the student away from the lines.

Testing will be provided on or near the campus, and you will need to show proof that you have taken a UC Berkeley COVID-19 test before you can move into your unit.

you can move into your unit. During your time slot, you may have two friends or family members help you move in. You will need to choose two unique helpers to assist you during your move-in time slot. Having only two visitors per student limits foot traffic as a preventative health measure.

To minimize prolonged contact in housing units, elevators will be limited to one family at a time. When using stairs, yield to the party traveling downstairs. Face coverings that cover the nose and mouth will be required inside and outside buildings.

To assist you in your travel plans, visit the parking and directions for Move-In page for a campus map, general directions, and street addresses.

After the last move-in time slot for your building, only residents and staff will be allowed access. Sequestering for your building will begin at the end of your move-in day, so we will ask helpers and loved ones to depart campus at that time.

What to Bring on Your Move-in Day

A valid (i.e. not expired) government-issued photo ID (e.g., State ID, Driver's License, or passport) which is required in order to obtain your room key, Cal 1 Card student ID, and AC Transit EasyPass Clipper transit card. If you don't yet have (or have lost) the required government-issued photo ID, your high school or college ID will allow you to obtain your key, Cal 1 Card student ID, and AC Transit EasyPass Clipper transit card after an electronic form is submitted on your behalf by check-in staff to the Office of the Registrar, which will result in a temporary block placed on your future registration status and require that you present a government-issued photo ID ASAP at the Office of the Registrar in order to remove said temporary block. If you don't have a valid government-issued ID or school ID, the same electronic form is submitted on your behalf by check-in staff to the Office of the Registrar but there will be additional identity verification information that you will have to provide. This will also result in a temporary block placed on your future registration status and require that you present a government-issued photo ID ASAP at the Office of the Registrar in order to remove said temporary block.

Your own dolly or hand-truck for a quicker move in—you may have to wait a while to use one of our moving carts.

A face covering that covers both the nose and mouth, for you and everyone with you. Face coverings must be worn at all times outside your bedroom and are also required within the city of Berkeley.

Join Your Class Facebook group

We invite you to join your class’ UC Berkeley Facebook group as a way to get to know your community of peers:

Class of 2024 Facebook group | Class of 2022 Facebook group

Move-In FAQs

Please visit the Move-In FAQS page for more information.