Move-In
Fall Move-In for New Students
Friday, August 21, 2026
Fall Move-In for Returning Students
Saturday, August 22 – Monday, August 24, 2026
Students will receive an email in early August with instructions on how to sign up for a specific time.
Please reach out to your coach, director or liaison for specific information regarding these dates/times.
2026 MOVE-IN DATES TBA
What Can You Expect as a New Student?
A welcome befitting our newest Tigers! We’re excited you’ve joined the Ouachita family!
When you arrive at your reserved time, you’ll find a crew of current students and
staff ready to help you every step of the way. Enter campus through Elrod Boulevard,
where you will receive instructions about parking your vehicle. Check in at your residence
hall lobby to get your room key. Come rain or shine, we’ll help unload your vehicle(s)
and take your things to your room.
Move-In Tips
for new & returning students
New Students
- Pack as much as you can into boxes, baskets or shelves/drawers that can be taped or sealed shut.
- Write your room number and residence hall initials (e.g., Frances-Crawford West = FCW) on all of your belongings.
- Once your car is unloaded, follow directions for moving your car and making a space for the next shift of move-in appointments.
Returning Students
- Bring your own carts or hand trucks/dollies for moving in large items.
- Apartment Residents:
- There is limited parking at the apartment complexes, so be considerate when deciding how many vehicles you’ll bring.
- Your utilities must be turned on before you can move in.
Packing
Wondering what to bring to Ouachita? We've got some tips for you.
The first challenge of your college experience may be figuring out how to squeeze
the essential possessions of two people into one residence hall room. Communicate
with your roommate before you arrive on campus, especially concerning large items
such as microwaves, refrigerators and televisions.
Arkadelphia has a Walmart, Brookshire's Grocery and several discount stores and pharmacies. However, we recommend that you come prepared with what you’ll need for the first few weeks of school since these stores will be taxed heavily due to the large influx of students.
Appliances/Tech
- Microwave (one per room in freshman halls/one per suite in upperclassmen halls)
- Micro Fridge or mini fridge (4.5 cubic feet or less; one per room in freshman halls, one per bedroom in upperclassmen halls)
- Keurig and K-Cup pods (or similar)
- Dining utensils, cups and plates to use when eating meals in your room
- Computer – preferably a laptop; LAN cable if your device is not wireless
- Smart TV or television and streaming device (Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV)
- TV wall mounts are NOT allowed.
- Steamer, iron, ironing board, hangers
- Power strip/surge protector
- Optional items students find helpful:
- Dehumidifier
- Air Purifier
- Ice machines
- Fan
Cleaning Supplies/Personal Hygiene
- Personal hygiene items
- Cleaning supplies for your dorm room/suite (disinfecting spray and wipes, all-purpose cleaner, dish soap, glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, Magic Erasers)
- Vacuum, broom, small mop or Swiffer
- First aid kit, including over-the-counter pain and allergy relievers, adhesive bandages, elastic bandage, antibiotic ointment
- Laundry bag or basket
- Liquid laundry detergent – no pods or powder detergent (do not dissolve well in our machines)
- Trash can
- Bath linens, robe
- Shower caddy for toiletries
- Paper towels
- Umbrella/raincoat and rainboots or shoes
Room Decor
- Adhesive products to hang items on the wall
- Command strips, sticky putty, hot glue (Freshman ResHalls ONLY)
- Finishing nails (Upperclassmen ResHalls ONLY)
- Curtains and tension rods
- Curtains must hang on tension rods fitted inside window frames; curtain hardware mounting brackets are NOT allowed.
- Shower curtain, shower curtain rings, bath rug
- Does not apply to residents of O.C. Bailey
- Twin XL-sized bedding (mattress pad, sheets, blanket, pillow, pillowcase, bedspread)
- Desk chair
- Area rug
- Desk/Floor lamp
School Supplies
- Backpack or satchel
- Pens, pencils, highlighters, sticky notes, small dry erase board
- Organizer/planner/calendar
- weapons of any kind, including firearms
- If you are a hunter, contact the Office of Campus Safety & Emergency Management at (870) 245-4000 about storing your firearm.
- explosives of any kind, including fireworks
- alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs
- pets (fish are acceptable in tanks up to 3 gallons)
- candles, incense, lighters, matches
- Open coil and open flame devices including toasters, toaster ovens, hot plates and air fryers are strictly prohibited.
- printers (Wireless printers are strongly discouraged)
THE TIGER HANDBOOK HAS FULL DETAILS ABOUT UNIVERSITY POLICIES, INCLUDING THESE:
|
|
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| Alcohol and Drugs | pp. 18, 28 |
| Apartment Policies and Procedures | pp. 42-43 |
| Appliances | p. 39 |
| Cable Television Service | p. 39 |
| Drug Testing | p. 20 |
| Firearms and Weapons | p. 18 |
| Internet Service | p. 40 |
| Possession/Use of Fireworks | p. 18 |
| Pets | pp. 18, 39 |
| Use of Campus Computer Network | p. 35 |
FAQs
Where is Elrod Boulevard?
It’s the main entrance to Ouachita’s campus, off of 10th Street. All new student move-in drivers must enter the campus here to help us manage traffic.
How will I know where/who my RD is when I get to my dorm?
New students will receive instructions at checkpoints along the move-in route. RD’s will welcome students in the lobby of their building.
Where should we stay the night before move-in if we are from out of state?
A list of local hotel and restaurant options is available below.
Will the campus store be open?
Yes. The Ouachita Campus Store, located in the lower level of Evans Student Center, will be open.
Where should we park after I’ve moved in?
All vehicles will be required to move out of the residence hall parking lots when they’re unloaded to make room for the next shift of move-in appointments. Parking can be found behind JPAC, Maddox Hall, SPEC and Tollett Hall.
Where’s the best place to go if I forgot things or need to buy supplies?
In Arkadelphia, the best places to go for supplies are Walmart Supercenter, Walgreens or Brookshire’s Grocery.
Where do I get my student ID if I don’t already have one?
The Student Development office will be open and available to help you with your student ID. You can find it on the main floor of Evans Student Center, around the corner from the stage at Dr. Jack’s Coffeehouse.
Where do I get my parking permit?
Campus Safety will be distributing and applying parking permits during move in.
Will Ouachita Commons (the cafeteria) be open?
Yes! The Ouachita Commons will be open.
Still have questions after reading the FAQ section? That’s okay. If you’re a new student, contact your admissions counselor or call (870) 245-5110. If you’re a returning student, contact the Office of Student Development at (870) 245-5220.
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