What to Bring

Bed linens (please see the webpage for your housing area for information on bed size).

Comforter or quilt.

Pillows.

Blankets.

Bath towels and washcloths.

A shower caddy.

Personal toiletries: bath soap/gel, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, contact lens/vision care, skincare, hair care, shaving/grooming supplies.

A hair dryer. Electrical curling irons/heating curlers with an enclosed heating coil are also permitted.

Computer equipment with a wireless network card (Ethernet ports are generally not available in residence halls). The Cav Program offers computers for students with preloaded hardware and software meeting the standards set by UVA schools and departments.

A cell phone (AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon recommended).

An alarm clock.

A UL-rated power strip, with built-in circuit breaker and on/off switch.

Lamp(s) (see restrictions under Prohibited Items below).

Posters and photos (should not cover more than 10% of wall surfaces)

Mounting putty (adhesive mounting strips are not recommended)

See our Decoration Policies page for more information.

A flashlight.

First-aid kit.

Upperclass and graduate students living in apartment-style residence areas should also bring paper products (including toilet paper and paper towels) and cooking supplies (cookware, dishes, and utensils).

If you bring a bicycle, make sure to bring a good lock!

Parking and Transportation shares additional bike resources on their website.

The University does not offer cable TV service. Students who have their own streaming service provider(s) can use those services on Grounds.

Video game systems may be used in on-Grounds housing as well.

Incoming first-year students:
One combination micro-fridge may be rented from the UVA Bookstore per first-year room, whether single- or double-occupancy. Once you know your roommate, please connect with them to coordinate on micro-fridge rental. 

See Prohibited Items, below.

Incoming transfer students and returning upperclass students:
One microwave and one small refrigerator per bedroom, or one combination micro-fridge unit per bedroom. You may rent a micro-fridge from the UVA Bookstore. You may also bring your own combination micro-fridge, or bring a separate microwave (1200 watts or less) and/or refrigerator (5.0 cubic ft. or less). Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding how these appliances should be plugged in.

One single-serve pod-type coffee maker per room (1200 watts or less) is also permitted.

In addition, popcorn poppers, rice cookers, crock pots, instant pots, and hot water kettles (1200 watts or less) are all permissible in on-Grounds housing. Small appliances with an exposed heating element are not allowed (see "Appliances" under Prohibited Items, below).

If you live in a first-year area or upperclass hall-style area and you opt to bring approved cooking appliances, you may wish to bring dishes and utensils as well.

On-Grounds residents may have one (1) skin care (cosmetic) refrigerator per resident, provided the appliance meets required specifications. 

This appliance is considered separate from the University's micro-fridge program as it applies to first-year residents. It does not replace or expand the refrigerator and freezer capacity permitted under University Housing policies. 

Please see our Skin Care Refrigerator Policy page for additional details, specifications, and requirements.

Pets (except small non-lethal fish, in an aquarium no larger than 20 gallons).

Bird feeders.

All weapons, fireworks, explosives, and other items prohibited by University policy, including but not limited to:

• all type of guns (handguns, rifles, etc.)
• B.B. guns
• ammunition
• bows and arrows
• paintball guns
• firecrackers or explosives
• slingshots
• swords
• knives with blades longer than 4"
• martial arts tools

Large, bulky furniture (all undergraduate housing areas are furnished)

Cinder blocks or lofts for propping beds

Bed tents and bed curtains.

Curtains, draperies, hangings, banners, and fabric flags.

Certain types of lamps:

• halogen torchiere lamps
• "octopus" lamps
• lamps with plastic shades 
   

LED strip lights with adhesive backing.

Live and artificial decorative trees.

Appliances lacking an approved safety certification.

Modified or altered appliances.

Air conditioners.

Air fryers.

Exterior aerials or satellite dishes.

Bidets (requires permission from Housing & Residence Life as well as installation and removal by UVA Facilities Management; cannot be approved in undergraduate housing).

In first-year housing only, personal refrigerators and microwaves that are not rented through the University's exclusive provider, Melvin Corp. (see Kitchen and Food Preparation, above).

Cooking and heating appliances (permitted items listed under Optional Items, above).

Indoor electric grills.

Deep fryers.

Toasters or toaster ovens.

Oversized refrigerators, as well as compressor-based cosmetic refrigerators and cosmetic refrigerators exceeding the capacity or electrical limits as stated in the Skin Care Refrigerator Policy.

Freezers.

Ceiling fans.

Space heaters.

Washing machines.

Portable dishwashers.

See Fire Prevention for more information.

Personal networking equipment such as routers, switches, wireless access points, and range extenders

Devices that operate on 2.4 GHz and 5.1 GHz frequencies such as cordless telephones, microwaves, baby monitors, wireless speakers, and wireless (not Bluetooth) headsets (devices operating on 900 MHz and 5.8 GHz frequencies are permitted)

Extension cords

Multi-plug adapters or converters

Open flames:

• candles
• incense
• oil lamps
• hookahs

Self-balancing electric wheeled boards (Hoverboards) / electric skateboards.

Electric scooters

Electric bikes.

First-years may not register, store, or park vehicles on Grounds. First-year parking exceptions will only be granted with an approved SDAC (Student Disability Access Center) accommodation. For more information, see the "Parking Eligibility for First Years" section at UVA Parking and Transportation's Student Parking webpage.

Upperclass students and graduate students should review the Parking Permits section of the UVA Parking and Transportation website for additional information.