Pick your housing style, check off what you are bringing, and see what GVSU says to leave home — including items
you and your roommate should split before move-in day.
Your housing style
Pick the style from your housing assignment — banned items and roommate rules change by building type.
North Campus Traditional
0 of 77 packed or planned · loading…
Move-in day essentials
Bring0/4 done
Bedding
Bring0/5 done
Household & kitchen
Bring0/8 done
Personal credentials
Bring0/8 done
Bath, laundry & cleaning
Bring0/7 done
Electronics & appliances
Bring0/12 done
Room decor & organization
Bring0/11 done
Personal care & clothing
Bring0/12 done
Talk with your roommate first
Roommate0/7 done
Allowed in your unit (with limits)
Allowed0/3 done
Not allowed in your housing style
Leave home
Push pins for wall hangings
Only Cluster style allows push pins per the official housing matrix.
Toaster
Apartment-style units with kitchens only.
Slow cooker (Crock Pot)
Apartment-style units with kitchens only.
Air fryer, pressure cooker, or toaster oven
Downtown/South campus apartments column on the official packing matrix. Some other full-kitchen buildings may differ — see Community Living Standards 3.4 for named communities.
Electric griddle, fry pan, waffle iron, or sandwich maker
Downtown/South campus apartments column on the official packing matrix. Some other full-kitchen buildings may differ — see Community Living Standards 3.4 for named communities.
Never allowed in any on-campus housing
Leave home
Candles and incense
Housing FAQ: not allowed in any living center. Packing matrix: all housing styles.
Wireless routers
Packing matrix: all housing styles. Community Living Standards 3.3.
Extension cords, outlet adapters, or multi-plug adapters
Use UL-certified surge-protected power strips instead (limit one per resident). Community Living Standards 3.3.
Personal air conditioners
Packing matrix: all N. Only university-installed units permitted.
Battery powered scooters, bikes, or hoverboards
Packing matrix: all housing styles. Also covers E-bikes in housing buildings per Community Living Standards 3.3.
Bicycles inside any housing building
Store at outdoor bike racks with a lock; register with GVPD. Bikes are allowed on campus but not inside buildings.
Space heaters
Community Living Standards 3.3.
Halogen bulbs or lamps (all types)
Including clip-on, torchiere, and desk styles. Community Living Standards 3.3.
Deep fryers
Packing matrix: all housing styles.
Grill
Packing matrix: do not bring — all housing styles. Charcoal grills are never permitted; some communities provide gas grills outdoors (Community Living Standards 3.4).
Curtains or window decor not provided by the university
Packing matrix: all housing styles.
Hoverboards and drones (in housing)
Packing matrix: Hover Boards/Drones all N. Drones may be stored but not used in housing or on university property (3.4).
Electric blankets or fireplaces
Community Living Standards 3.3.
Firearms, weapons, and prohibited devices
See Community Living Standards 3.3 for the full list.
Pets (except approved assistance/service animals)
Assistance animals require SAR approval; service animals have separate guidelines.
Official GVSU sources
Organized from GVSU Housing & Residence Life publications (last verified 2026-07-10). Housing-style rules follow the official on-campus packing matrix; some building-specific rules are only in Community Living Standards — confirm at gvsu.edu before you buy.
We organized items from GVSU Housing & Residence Life official guides — the on-campus packing list, housing FAQ, and Community Living Standards. Always double-check gvsu.edu before move-in.
Why do I need to pick a housing style? +
GVSU publishes a Do Not Pack matrix that changes by building type. Traditional, Cluster, Suite, and apartment styles allow different items — mini-fridges, toasters, and wall hooks are not the same everywhere.
What size are GVSU dorm beds? +
All on-campus beds are Twin XL (36" × 80"). The university provides bed frames and mattresses — bring your own sheets, comforter, and mattress pad.
Can I bring a microwave or mini-fridge? +
One microwave per room (1,000 watts or less). Mini-fridges up to 4.6 cubic feet are allowed only in Traditional, Cluster, and Suite styles — one per unit. Coordinate with your roommate so you do not buy two.
What is never allowed in GVSU housing? +
Candles, wireless routers, extension cords, personal air conditioners, bikes inside buildings, and hoverboards are prohibited campus-wide. See the Leave home sections on this page for your style.
Can I print this for my roommate? +
Yes. Use Print packing list for a check-off sheet, or Print with bans to include prohibited items as a reminder before you shop.
