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Student Life

Move-In

Move In Overview
Pre-Arrival Expectations
Maps & Directions
What to Bring
Connect with Roommates
FAQs

Move In Overview

All residential students and non-residential students taking in-person classes on campus are required to complete a centralized check-in process at the beginning of the Spring 2021 semester. Check in will take place at the Dow Center between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, and Sunday, January 24. Students should refer to their emails for instructions on how to sign up for a check-in time using Sign Up Genius. Check-in time slots are in one-hour time blocks to ensure a safe and efficient process.

Pre-Arrival Expectations

While the recent approval of a vaccine for COVID-19 is encouraging, the reality of COVID-19 will still be with us throughout the spring semester. This means that expectations and protocols for the safety of our living and learning community will continue to be in place for students, faculty and staff. In order for us to have a safe start to the spring semester, students ​must​ complete the following requirements before moving back to campus.

  1. Self-Quarantine:​ ​Students should self-quarantine for one week prior to returning to campus. This includes staying away from large gatherings, properly wearing your mask and practicing physical distancing (at least 6 feet) when around others, and only leaving your home for groceries, medical appointments, or to exercise alone.
  2. Flu Shots:​ ​Flu shots are required for all students. Students must submit documentation that they have received a flu shot to ​​ by January 4, 2021. Students will not be permitted to return to campus if this step has not been completed. Students who wish to be exempt from the flu shot requirement for medical or religious reasons should contact ​​ to request a waiver application form. This temporary requirement has been put in place to aid in the reduction of flu cases on campus that are typically high during the Winter season.
  3. COVID-19 Test:​ ​Prior to returning to campus, students must submit documentation of a negative​ ​COVID-19 test that was ​completed on or after January 16, 2021​ to ​. If you are having difficulty locating a COVID test site in Michigan, please call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136. If you need assistance in locating a testing site in other states, contact ​.This requirement has been put in place to eliminate the need for students to self-quarantine on campus after moving in as they were required to do in fall 2020.

For more information on our COVID-19 protocols, visit Together Safely or email ​.

Move-In Day Process

When students arrive on campus, they should follow directions to the Dow Center Fieldhouse. Students must go to the Dow Center Fieldhouse immediately upon arriving and before proceeding to their residential assignment. Students will enter the Dow Fieldhouse from the parking lot next to the Dow Center to check in.

The check-in process will include a screening to ensure students have received or were provided with an exemption for the flu shot and have submitted documentation for a negative COVID-19 test on or after January 16. You will also take a rapid test that will be administered by a member of our COVID-19 team, and you will receive your results before you leave the Dow Center. Students who test positive will have the option of returning home to complete the isolation period or moving into isolation housing on campus. There will also be an opportunity to meet with staff from the Accounting Office and the Cutler Center for Student Success.

All students will be issued a new Albion1Card (student ID) during the check-in process.

Residential Expectations

As in the fall, a successful semester relies on each of us living the Albion Community Commitment that we made. This includes wearing a mask inside, and outside when a distance of six feet cannot be maintained, maintaining at least six feet of physical distance between yourself and others, monitoring health and practicing good personal hygiene, including regularly washing your hands and staying home when sick.

For the time being, students are not permitted to visit other residential buildings. As the semester continues and we are able to assess compliance as well as case numbers on campus, locally and regionally, we will review whether students can safely move between residential buildings.

Maps & Directions

One of the more convenient ways to navigate around campus is by going online to view our campus map.

You will see various staff members from the Department of Residential Life throughout the entire day. Be sure to introduce yourself to them. Each of the residence halls will have information posted about events, activities, meals, and campus safety.

What to Bring

Are you curious to know what items are permitted in the residence halls? First of all, we encourage you to connect with your roommate(s) to discuss which items you plan to share in order to avoid cluttering the room. You may also check out the "Items you may want for your residence hall room" and "Items to Leave at Home" sections of the New Students page.

Please note that all student rooms in the residence halls are not the same, especially in size. You can view each residence hall on the Building Information page.

Connect with Roommates

If you have not already made contact with your roommates, then we strongly encourage you to do so. You may find that information in your Albion email and or call the Department of Residential Life at 517/629-0224. It may be helpful to get to know one another prior to move-in day. Please be sure to discuss with your roommates about your living style preferences. Keep in mind that you and your roommate don't have to be best friends but it's important to discuss a shared common goal on what a successful living experience may look like for everyone.

Sample Questions:

  • What's your schedule like (weekday/weekend)?
  • What's your take on privacy in the room?
  • If anything goes wrong, how will you communicate with me?
  • How do you feel about guests?
  • Do you have a job and or involved in any student clubs and organizations?
  • Are you a morning or night person?
  • What are you bringing to college that you're willing to share or not share?
  • Where do you fall on the neatness spectrum?
  • Do you have any allergies?
  • How do you study?
  • Do you like the room hot or cold?
  • How do you feel about parties?
  • What chores do you not mind doing?
  • What are some of your favorite foods, music, movies, etc.?
  • Why did you choose Albion?
  • Tell me about your family and or pets back home.
  • Is there anything you want to know about me?

FAQs

How do I change my room?

Students are unable to change their room for the first two weeks of each semester. 

If students are experiencing roommate conflicts, we encourage students to following this process:

  • Talk with your roommate in person about the concern within 24-48 hours.
  • Use your roommate agreement workbook to go over areas of concern with your roommate and then have a conversation with your RA about updating your room rules.
  • Talk with your Resident Assistant (RA) to have a roommate mediation.
  • Talk with your Resident Director (RD) about the concerns in a timely manner.
  • Use your roommate agreement workbook to go over areas of concern to update your room rules.

How do I switch my meal plan?

Board plan changes are permitted until the 10th day of the semester. Students must email Residential Life () to let us know they would like to change their meal plan. For example, "I would like to change my meal plan from the 18 meal plan to the 21 meal plan for Fall 2020."

Students that reside in the residence halls (Wesley, Mitchell, Whitehouse, Seaton, Fiske, and Ingham) are required to be on a residential board plan. The different meal plan options are listed on the Tuition & Fees website.

Students that reside in the fraternities and apartments are not required to be on board but may purchase a board plan if they wish.

I lost my room key. How do I get a new one?

Students can go to the I.T. HelpDesk, located on the ground floor of Ferguson, across from the computer lab for a new Student ID. Each new Student ID costs $5.00, which is added to the student's account.

For fraternity keys, students can email, call, or visit Residential Life to explain that they need a new key for their room. There is an automatic $90.00 lock change charge for a new fraternity key or if the key is lost. Facilities staff typically changes the lock within 1–3 business days.

Can I have furniture removed from my room?

All furniture must remain in the designated room/apartment for the duration of the school year, per the Student Handbook. Students may be charged for removing furniture.