Mustang Move-In

Updated: Sept. 3, 2024

Fall 2024 Dates 

New Student Dates 

Move in for new first-year and transfer students is Tuesday, Sept. 17 OR Wednesday Sept. 18. To ensure a safe and convenient experience, your move-in day will be assigned as noted below. You will be able to book an appointment time starting 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21 in your Housing Portal. Please plan or adjust travel accordingly. 

The changes from previous years are necessary as our largest parking lots are now closed for construction of future housing.

Continuing Student Dates — Continuing Student Move-in Map

Continuing students (second year and above) move in Friday-Sunday, Sept. 20-22. Students will select a day and time for their move-in appointment starting at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28 in their Housing Portal on MyCalPoly. Cerro Vista Apartment residents who move in on Sept. 20 will have shuttle service to long-term parking.

Early Start Programs Dates

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

You can find Move-in dates and information on early start programs here.

Move-in Appointments

Book a move-in time on your assigned day in your Housing Portal in MyCalPoly under Mustang Move-in. You will be able to view all available time slots for your assigned community. Each time slot is 15 minutes, then you must proceed to parking so the next group of new Mustangs can unload. 

Maps & Instructions

To ensure a safe and convenient experience, follow the 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. Maps and move-in info were sent to your Cal Poly email in late August. 

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. Do not use GPS; it does not count for campus move-in routes and road closures. 

Absolutely no RVs, oversized vehicles, U-Hauls or trailers. They cannot navigate height limits of 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 was Saturday, 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 & 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.