We encourage students to pack minimally for the fall semester at Pitt. Once you no longer need them, can they be donated, reused, or recycled, or will they end up in a landfill? Pitt prides itself on being a sustainable campus and this extends to your stay in our residence halls. Take advantage of Ship2Pitt, and, when possible, limit additional items only to what you can carry in one trip.
What to Bring
School Supplies
Don't forget your school supplies! You may need the following:
- Notebooks
- Paper
- Pencils/Pens
- Post-its
- Stapler
- Backpack
- Calculator
- Tape
Or, make it easy by ordering your supplies from the University Store on Fifth. You will have the option to have your supplies delivered safely and securely to your residence hall.
Room Decorations/Furnishings
Pitt is your home away from home, so make sure you bring everything you need to make your Pitt home cozy and organized.
- Pictures/Posters
- Hangers
- Umbrella
- Dry erase board
- Lamp (non-halogen)
- Alarm clock
Our four University stores also have lots of items to make you feel right at home. From posters to pillows to plants, they have what you need.
Bedding (Blankets, Mattress Pad, Pillows, Sheets)
Be sure to check the specifications for your residence for the correct bedding size. Before you buy a mattress pad, try sleeping on your bed for a week and decide what you may need, if anything. Foam mattress pads cannot be recycled and are the largest source of landfill waste during move out. If you decide to shop later, multiple retail establishments are just a short drive or bus ride from campus.
Bicycle, Bike Light, Bike Helmet, and U-Lock
We encourage you to bring your bike to campus. There are more than 1,100 bike parking spaces located across campus, and free secure bike parking rooms for residents of Amos Hall, Bouquet Gardens, Brackenridge Hall, Bruce Hall, Holland Hall, Litchfield Towers, McCormick Hall, and Nordenberg Hall. Visit the Bike Pitt website for more information about biking on campus and how to register your bike. Always lock your bike with a quality u-lock to secure the frame and front wheel. State law requires a front and rear reflector. Step up your safety game with a blinking rear light which makes you more visible to car drivers both at night and day.
All Pitt students can use POGOH, Pittsburgh’s popular bike share program, for free. There are POGOH stations in Oakland and hundreds of bike-able destinations. Be sure to bring a bike helmet to ride safely.
Reusable Mug, Water Bottle, Utensils, and Shopping Bags
Bring a reusable coffee/tea travel mug to keep your favorite beverages at the perfect temperature. Reusable water bottles are also must -- fill them up at hydration stations in your residence hall and across campus to stay hydrated and avoid plastic water bottles. Reusable utensils can further reduce your waste, and a reusable shopping bag is a great way to show your pride in Pitt’s sustainability efforts and save money. Single-use bags cost 25¢ at all Pitt Eats locations and the University Stores or purchase a custom-designed bag at one of our University stores.
First Aid Essentials
Stay healthy and safe by packing the following first aid essentials: acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for aches and fever, thermometer, adhesive bandages (BAND-AID® ), and a first aid kit.
Laptop
All residents are encouraged to bring a laptop and accessories (charger, sleeve, cooling pad). If you forget anything, the University Store on Fifth has a full selection tech accessories. Residence halls feature MyResNet, a free high-speed Wi-Fi network, that accommodates up to 10 devices per student, streams music and video, and allows online gaming. Learn more about MyResNet.
Electronics
You may want to bring electronics such as a TV or gaming system. If you have roommates or suitemates, you should contact them and agree on what large electronic items you plan to bring to campus. Please limit your TV to 32” or smaller to be sure it fits in your residence. Also, be sure to bring a power strip(s) with a surge protector.
Laundry Supplies
All University residences have washers and dryers for your convenience. Be sure to bring all you need to keep your clothes fresh and clean including a laundry bag, detergent (we suggest cold-water detergent to support sustainability efforts), dryer sheets or dryer balls. Take your sustainability game to the next level by using a drying rack to dry your clothes in your room. Learn more about campus laundry.
Cleaning Supplies
To keep your living space tidy and neat, we recommend that you bring your own basic cleaning supplies such as disinfecting wipes, paper towels, dish soap, and a multi-purpose/multi-surface cleaning spray. Shared/communal bathrooms are cleaned by our wonderful housekeeping staff. For those who share a suite bathroom and are required to clean it, we recommend that you consider bringing a toilet bowl brush, toilet bowl cleaner, plunger, and a cleaning product that can be used on both showers and sinks.
Shower Supplies and Toiletries
Towels, wash cloths, and a robe are residence hall necessities. A small tote or shower caddy will help you easily move your toiletries to and from the bathroom and is an important way that you can keep your toiletries organized. Make sure to remember shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste.
Fan
A small room fan can be helpful in providing cooling. Plus it's great for background noise in a busy atmosphere.
Refrigerator and Microwave
Refrigerators and microwaves are a great way to keep snacks fresh, cook meals, and have cold drinks in your room, but they are also energy-intensive and often-discarded during move out. Reach out to your roommate before moving to campus to discuss sharing a mini fridge and microwave. If you do buy or rent appliances, make sure they are efficient and Energy Star certified. Refrigerators must be 4.2 cubic feet or smaller, and microwaves must be 800 watts or smaller.
Save time during move-in and reduce your environmental footprint by renting a MicroFridge! MicroFridge is a combination microwave/refrigerator that is delivered to your room for free before you move in and is removed after you depart. MicroFridge also use 40 percent less energy. They are cleaned and repaired each year to extend their life.
Documents
Panther Card, driver's license, ATM card, social security card, insurance cards, and any other documents that you might need.
What Not to Bring
The following items are not permitted in the residence halls. Please review the Student Code of Conduct and Residential Handbook for all University and on-campus policies.
Extension Cords
Extension cords are not permitted, but we recommend that you bring a power strip with a surge protector.
Cooking Appliances
Appliances not permitted include:
- Coffee maker with burner
- Cup warmers
- Crockpot
- Gas grill/indoor grill
- Hot plate or induction cooktop
- Open flame cooking device or heating unit
- Rice cooker
- Steamer
- Toaster/toaster oven
- Water boiler
Air Conditioner
Air conditioners are not permitted, but we recommend that you bring a fan.
Room Decorations/Furnishings
The following items are not permitted in your room:
- Candles or candle warmers
- Halogen lamps
- High-intensity quartz lamps
- Holiday lights
- Lava lamps
- Space heaters
Pets
Pets are not permitted in residence halls. Assistance and service animals are permitted with approval from Disability Resources and Services.
Hoverboards
Due to the fire danger associated with hoverboards, they are not permitted in residence halls.
What to Bring Later
You do not need to ship or bring all of your belongings all at once! Pack lighter by shipping some of your seasonal items later.
Winter Clothing & Accessories
While Pittsburgh can get cold during the winter months, temperatures remain relatively warm until mid-October. Therefore, we recommend that you plan to bring or ship your winter items and accessories, like jackets, sweaters, snow boots, hats, gloves, and scarves at a later date.
If You Bring
Car
On-campus parking is available to full-time resident students. Due to the limited number of available spaces, permits are distributed by lottery.
Remember that with your Panther Card you can ride Pitt shuttles and Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses for free. You can also bring a bike or rent a POGOH bike for free to get across campus or the city or use Uber or Lyft. With so many transportation options you may not need to bring a car to campus. Explore your transportation options with Parking and Transportation Services.
Furniture
Often items are purchased prior to moving to Pitt and are not needed. We recommend waiting to purchase until you have arrived on campus and have determined need, in order to save money and reduce waste.
Gaming System
Gaming systems must be configured to use Wi-Fi. ResNet is the free high-speed Wi-Fi network in residence halls. It accommodates up to 10 devices per and allows online gaming.
TV
Basic cable television is in each room/suite in residence halls and each bedroom/living room in apartment-style accommodations, and Pitt has teamed up with Comcast to provide students living on campus access to XFINITY on Campus. Through XFINITY on Campus, residents may access On Demand and live TV network via laptop, tablet, or smartphone. XFINITY on Campus is available online, via app, and through Roku.
What We Provide
Per Student
- Bed (Sizes may vary. Check your residence hall's page for more information.)
- Desk and chair
- Dresser
- Closet or wardrobe
Per Room
- Cable TV (Many residences also offer XFINITY on Campus.)
- Recycle and landfill bins. Learn about recycling and waste on campus on the Office of Sustainability's Zero Waste website.
Per Residence Hall
- Laundry facilities
- Vacuum cleaner