Moving In and Getting Settled

Moving In and Getting Settled

Moving into a new residence hall or apartment is an exciting process. We hope to help you have a smooth transition as you settle into your space on Western’s campus.

Move-In Procedures

Contact Residence Life at 970.943.2101 with any questions on these procedures.

Check-In

Please go directly to your assigned residence hall or apartment complex and follow signs to the resident check-in area. Staff will be available at the check-in area to assist you, and outdoor and indoor signs will direct you to the right location for your check-in area.

• You will receive additional information about the check-in date and time from the Residence Life Office.

Laundry

For your convenience, each complex has coin-operated laundry facilities. All laundry machines accept Mountaineer Cash—a declining balance on your Mountaineer Card. Visit the Resident Resources page for more info.

Linens and Care Packages

Western partners with Dormify for both a linen program and a care package program. The profits from this partnership help reduce the cost for student leaders to attend regional and national leadership conferences. The care packages are sent directly to your student’s mailbox in the Mail Center. You can purchase a care package for your student to be delivered after move-in, before finals week and other times you select during the year. Visit western.dormroom.com with any questions and to place your order.

In the Escalante Complex, Mears Complex and Ute Hall, all beds are fit with extra-long twin mattresses. In Pinnacles, most beds are double or full-size beds, while Chipeta Hall contains entirely full size beds.

Mail and Packages

Your address should read:
Your name
Western Colorado University
C.P.O. # (Campus Post Office Box Number)
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231-(4 digit C.P.O. # again)

Mail will always be delivered to the Mail Center in the University Center. Mail and packages typically cannot be delivered directly to your residence hall.

Refrigerator and Microwave Rentals

For your convenience, Colorado Collegiate Rentals offers refrigerator and microwave rentals.

Renter’s Insurance

GradGuard Renters Insurance is a wise investment for college students and their families. With the GradGuard Renters Insurance plan, personal items that are stolen or damaged by a covered cause of loss can be replaced, subject to a low deductible. GradGuard Renters Insurance also protects students financially from large-scale, unintentional damage they may cause to their residence hall or bodily injury they may cause to others for which they are legally liable. Learn more and purchase your policy at GradGuard.com/renters.

Room Changes

Occasionally, cancelations may require us to make changes to your housing assignment. We will contact you as soon as possible if we need to change your room assignment or information about your roommate. As cancellations occur, we will fill the spaces in order of application date. After arriving on campus, students who wish to move need to contact the Assistant Director/Resident Director of the hall in which they are currently living to request a housing change. No room changes will be allowed until two weeks after classes start. Non-emergency room changes will result in a standard processing fee.

Vacation and Breaks

Residence halls are open during Labor Day, Mid-Fall Break, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and President’s Day holidays. Special arrangements may be made for students interested in staying in the residence halls over Fall Break Week and Spring Break. Information about signing up for these breaks will be advertised closer to each break. Only residents living in Pinnacles, Chipeta, and the Mears Complex may apply to stay over Winter Break for an additional charge. Residents in Ute Hall and Escalante Complex are not permitted to stay over Winter Break due to lack of access to a kitchen (all on-campus dining is closed for the duration of Winter Break) unless they obtain permission from their Resident Director.

What to Bring:

We recommend bringing a few amenities to make the most of your on-campus housing. When purchasing linens for your bedroom, please contact our main office at 970.943.2101 to confirm your bed size BEFORE purchasing any linens.

For the Bathroom (Mears Complex and Apartments only):

• Bathroom cleaning supplies
• Toilet paper and toiletries

For the Laundry:

• Laundry bag or basket
• Hangers
• Laundry detergent
• Sewing kit

Other Amenities (to discuss with your roommate): 

• Stereo
• Small refrigerator
• Microwave
• Television
• DVD/Blu-ray Player
• Humidifier
• Fan

For Decorating:

• Posters (we recommend poster putty to avoid putting holes in the walls)
• Plants
• Dishes
• Desk lamp
• Table lamp(s)
• Calendar
• Carpet sweeper or mini vacuum
• Surge protectors (no extension cords)
• Alarm clock
• An area rug or scrap carpet
• Mattress pad
• Sheets, pillowcases, blankets

What NOT to Bring

• Weapons or fireworks (i.e. paintball guns, BB guns, knives larger than 3 1/2”)
• Candles and incense (candle warmers are O.K.)
• Pets (other than fish)
• Toasters, electric frying pans, or any other kitchen appliances that have a hot plate
• Vaporizer pens, oils, or wax
• Hookahs
• Any upholstered furniture (sofas, recliners, futons, and bean bag chairs)

Tips for Roommate Communication

Sharing a room with another student can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences you have at college. Roommates provide an excellent opportunity to become friends with someone new who perhaps has a lifestyle different than your own. Most people get along with their roommates, but no relationship is perfect. Each student at Western is unique, and we strive to create a diverse environment where students are able to learn from the community around them. The key to having a successful working relationship is to discuss your likes and dislikes with your roommate and come to specific agreements about living together. Discussing questions and concerns in the beginning can prevent issues in later semesters. We suggest you consider asking your roommate the following questions to initiate good communication. While discussing these questions, keep in mind that part of the college experience is learning to appreciate others’ differences and sharing common interests with those around you.

1. When do you need sleep?
2. Do you prefer to stay up late or go to bed early?
3. When do you study?
4. Where do you study?
5. How clean does the room need to be?
6. Do you use tobacco, marijuana, or alcohol?
7. What can I borrow, and what do you prefer to be left alone?
8. Do you need complete quiet to study?
9. When can I have guests in our room?
10. Are there times when you need to be alone?
11. How will I know if I’ve done something which upsets you?
12. Do you have any concerns about having me as your roommate?

Remember that your Resident Assistant and the Residence Life Staff are available as mediators when roommate conflicts arise.

Getting Together

Use the summer to “break the ice.” Your housing assignment information will have your roommate’s contact information. Consider reaching out to your roommate through a text or Facebook message to discuss what you’re looking forward to at Western or what you need to bring for your dorm room.