Bag Drop Day

During Bag Drop, students and their families will have early access to the student's room to move belongings to campus. Students will not be able to stay the night and must return on Sunday, August 30 for Convocation and orientation.

A family cheering at Check-In

Bag drop is available only for students who have confirmation through the Housing Portal. Confirm your Bag Drop status by reviewing the "Move-In Information" tab. 

If you are unable to participate in bag drop, please notify Columbia Housing as soon as possible.

Reminders

  • We strongly recommend that you use Bag Drop Day to move all of your belongings as your items will have elevator priority. On Sunday, you may not be able to use the elevator for your belongings and any remaining items will need to be carried up the stairs.
  • Elevators are reserved for moving belongings to rooms and for disability access. Individual access to residential floors may be restricted to stairs.
  • Students cannot stay in their room overnight. Plan to return to campus on Sunday, August 30 for Convocation.

What to Expect

Review your assigned Bag Drop time on the "Move-In Information" page of the Housing Portal.

Arrival times are assigned to optimize elevator operations and cannot be changed. Missing your arrival time may result in move-in delays.  

Unload zones refer to the location where cars (including cabs and rideshares) can unload items. Volunteers, moving staff, and moving bins will be available at every unload zone. 

Zones and arrival instructions will vary by residence hall. More detailed information will be shared in early August.

Check-In stations will be staffed by Columbia Housing. When you arrive, you will pick up your Columbia University ID (CUID) card which will be encoded with your building access and will also function as your room key.

Check-In station locations will vary by building. Locations and arrival instructions will be shared in early August.

Your room assignment is viewable in the "Move-In Information" tab of the Housing Portal. 

Be aware that elevators are reserved for moving belongings to rooms and for disability access. Individual access to residential floors may be restricted to stairs. 

Before you unpack, log into the Housing Portal to take our brief, three-question survey about your Check-In experience and to complete the Room Condition Report (RCR). The RCR records the conditions of the room and furniture at the time of Check-In. This report is the basis for charges for any damage and/or loss attributable to the resident during occupancy.

As you unpack, look out for your Resident Adviser (RA). They should be stationed on your floor to greet residents and answer questions.

You will have five hours in your room to unpack your belongings. After five hours, you and your guests must vacate the residence halls.

Bag Drop students are not permitted to spend the night.

Below are some resources that you may find helpful as a resident in Columbia Housing:

Students must return on Sunday.

  • On Sunday, the unload zones and elevators are reserved for students who are moving their belongings into the residence halls. Students who participated in Bag Drop should not use the unload zones, and will not have elevator priority. If you plan to bring additional items on Sunday, please be prepared to carry them.


Convocation is scheduled for after Check-In activities end. The time and location of Convocation will be communicated by your school over the summer.

After Convocation, community-building activities will begin!

  • You'll meet with your New Student Orientation Program group, led by upperclass Orientation Leaders, to review the upcoming week of orientation activities.
  • Then, you'll return to your residence hall for your first floor meeting of the semester, during which you'll get to know your RA and floormates.