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Move-In Email Archive

On-campus Living Tips for Incoming Hokies

Residential Experience Campus Countdown

Each summer, Virginia Tech Residential Experience helps incoming Hokies prepare for fall move-in through a series of interactive emails. Incoming Hokies can follow along with the series in their vt.edu email for helpful Hokie Hints about life on campus — from living with roommates to fire safety, laundry, trash, and more.

The information provided in this email series is archived on this website — check back weekly for updates.

Please note: There is a giveaway tied to the email series. It is exclusively for incoming students in the fall class of each year through their vt.edu email. If you're part of the class of 2029, be sure to check your inbox for more information and chances to enter the Fall 2025 Campus Countdown Giveaway.

Email: Wednesday, June 4

Hokies — the Campus Countdown for the class of 2029 starts this June! Follow along with our interactive email series this summer to prepare for on-campus living and win Hokie-themed merch.

Each Campus Countdown email will include helpful videos, links, and resources about the Residential Experience to help you prepare for your move to campus life. Keep reading to learn more and take the survey in this email for your first entry!

If you have ever wondered what happens when you lock yourself out of your residence hall or worried about roommate disagreements, this email series is for you.

Here's How it Works

  • Each week, you will receive an email covering important topics related to on-campus living at your vt.edu email address.
  • Read our helpful Hokie Hints, then fill out the survey attached to the email to earn one entry into the giveaway.
  • You earn one entry for each email survey completed.
  • Winners choose their prizes on a first-come basis, starting with participants who complete the most surveys.

The Residential Experience

At Virginia Tech, our priority is to ensure every student that calls our campus home has the best experience possible.

We have four offices dedicated to YOUR on-campus Residential Experience. Each office has a specialized function, from work orders to mental health, designed to help you. Learn more about these offices on Instagram or click the links above for contact information.

At Virginia Tech, the Residential Experience includes:

  • Housing Services.
  • Residential Well-being.
  • Student Affairs Facilities and Operations.
  • Living-Learning Programs.

Get Ready to Move-in and Win

Do these four things to prep for move-in and learn more about the Campus Countdown

  • Complete your New Student Checklist, the essential incoming Hokie to-do list, at the link below. Have you checked off all the steps?
  • Check your vt.edu email often — housing deadlines, Campus Countdown updates, and tips for living on-campus at VT
  • Get to know FERPA: You’re in charge of your records now! FERPA is a federal law that says only you (the student) can decide who has access to your info. Want someone to have access or communicate with VT for you? You’ll need to set them up with permissions. Look under “June” on the Checklist for more info!
  • Follow @vtresidential on Instagram to stay informed about your on-campus experience

Email: Tuesday, June 10

Hey Hokie!

It is time for New Student Room Selection - the process through which YOU select your on-campus home!

Almost all Virginia Tech students choose their own residence hall and room, with a few exceptions covered below. Keep reading for:

  • Room selection tips, with or without a roommate group.
  • How to select you and your preferred roommate living together.
  • Text and video walkthroughs for room and roommate selection.
  • How to handle housing accommodation requests.

Take the survey in this email to earn another entry into our summer giveaway series!

Your Room Selection Timeslot

Your time slot is the exact day and time you will select the building/room you’ll live in and your roommate using the StarRez Portal. Time slots are given based on the order in which students signed their housing contracts and cannot be changed.

  • Check your vt.edu email address regularly — that is where you will receive your time slot.
  • The email will also state the deadline for you to choose your room. If you miss the deadline, you will be manually placed!
  • If you cannot find the email, you can also see your time slot in the StarRez Portal.

Room Selection and Roommate Group Tutorials

There are text and video tutorials with step-by-step instructions on selecting a room and creating a roommate group! It is highly recommended that you review these materials before your room selection time slot.

Once you (or the group leader of your roommate group) completes the steps in the walkthrough and selects a room, you are finished with the process and cannot make changes. The assignment is set and can only be changed by the Housing Services office.

Roommate Groups and Room Selection

Planning to live with a friend this fall? Follow these steps to make sure you end up in the same room!

A roommate group, which can only include two people, allows two students to go through room selection together.

  • Make sure your roommate group is created and verified in the StarRez Portal — unverified groups won’t be pulled into the same room. If you change group leadership, reverify.
  • The roommate with the earlier room selection time slot should be the leader!
  • Only the group leader can make the room selection and the other roommate should not login.
  • When the time slot opens, log into the StarRez Portal to select.

Living-Learning Communities

  • When searching for roommates, if you are not in an LLC, leave the LLC roommate questions on “any.”
  • If you are in an LLC, select “yes.” If you are in an LLC, your roommate must be in the same LLC.
  • Our system cannot pull one student in the LLC and one student who is not in the LLC to a roommate group.
  • LLCs have specific buildings/rooms designated for them. Only LLC students can be in those rooms.
  • If your LLC has houses, roommates must be in the same house.

Groups Not Selecting their Own Room

Some students will not select their own room. Check your vt.edu email for more info.

  • Students who sign their housing contract late in the process/close to the deadline.
  • Students who get a time slot and don’t select a room during it.
  • Members of the Corps of Cadets.
  • Athletes on the Athletics Roster.
  • Students whose SSD accommodations require specific placements.

Consider disability-related and access needs

Helpful Hokie Resources

  • Complete your New Student Checklist, the essential incoming Hokie to-do list. Have you checked off all the steps?
  • Check your vt.edu email each week for more on-campus life tips, important housing information, and chances to win our summer giveaway!
  • Get to know FERPA: You’re in charge of your records now! FERPA is a federal law that says only you (the student) can decide who has access to your info. Want someone to have access or communicate with VT for you? You’ll need to set them up with permissions. Look under “June” on the Checklist for more info!
  • Follow @vtresidential on Instagram to stay informed about your on-campus experience.

Email: Monday, June 16

Hey Hokie! Do you have your packing list ready for fall ‘24 move in?

Keep reading for our Hokie Hints on what you ACTUALLY need to bring to campus (and a few things you can’t), or watch a short video about packing!

Don’t forget to take the short survey linked in this email to earn your entry, and follow us on Instagram @vtresidential for more info!

Download Our Official Packing List

What to bring, what to leave at home? Download and print our check-off packing list to start your on-campus journey strong!

Leave These Items at Home

Save yourself some packing space and leave these items at home! The following items violate Virginia Tech housing policy.

You will have a MicroFridge and a microwave provided in your room.

  • You are not permitted to bring additional microwaves or refrigerators with you.
  • You are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of these items in your room.

E-scooters and other transportation devices powered by lithium-ion batteries cannot be stored or charged on campus.

  • As a fire safety precaution and to remain compliant with university Policy 5005, these devices are not permitted inside any university buildings.
  • While they may be secured at outdoor bike racks, charging these devices on campus, whether indoors or outdoors, is also strictly prohibited.
  • Should any prohibited items be found within university buildings, the matter may be referred to Student Conduct for further action. If you have questions, learn more about Policy 5005.

Other items to leave at home include:

  • Any open-coiled appliance
  • Air conditioners
  • Candles
  • Electric blankets
  • Electric stoves
  • Grills
  • Plug-in air fresheners
  • Space heaters
  • Toasters
  • Ovens
  • Hot plates
  • Halogen lamps

Virginia Tech Mail Services

Shipping packages to campus? Love online shopping? Here’s what you need to know about campus mail!

  • If you are mailing packages to yourself before move-in, please plan for them to arrive no earlier than the week of August 12 to help manage the increased volume during that time.
  • Move-in is BUSY for Mail Services, so processing delays are more likely. Pack essentials for your first two weeks, shop local when you arrive, and order early!
  • You’ll receive an email once your package arrives. It’s important to pick it up ASAP.
  • For best results, use the Campus Mail Portal to track your packages and always use your proper residence hall address.
  • For more details and address formatting tips, visit the Mail Services website.

Personalize your Residence Hall

Make your residence hall room feel like home with these specialized room items!

Our office of Residential Well-being has long-standing partnerships with vendors who offer specialized room items for students living in Virginia Tech's residence hall rooms.

Helpful Hokie Resources

  • Complete your New Student Checklist, the essential incoming Hokie to-do list. Have you checked off all the steps?
  • Check your vt.edu email each week for more on-campus life tips, important housing information, and chances to win our summer giveaway!
  • Get to know FERPA: You’re in charge of your records now! FERPA is a federal law that says only you (the student) can decide who has access to your info. Want someone to have access or communicate with VT for you? You’ll need to set them up with permissions. Look under “June” on the Checklist for more info!
  • Follow @vtresidential on Instagram to stay informed about your on-campus experience.

Email: Monday, June 23

Hey Hokie! Are you ready to earn a giveaway entry and learn more about life at Virginia Tech?

Life on campus comes with many changes, and getting a roommate or two is a big one! Check out our Hokie Hints on how to live with a roommate below, or watch a quick reel about roommate relationships by Hokies for Hokies!

Don’t forget to take the short survey linked in this email to earn your entry, and follow us on Instagram @vtresidential for more info!

See past Campus Countdown emails on our website.

Living with Roommates Can be Amazing…

We know it can be challenging to share a small living space, a bathroom facility, and more with another person.

BUT — it's also an important part of the college experience and can lead to close friendships that last beyond your time at Virginia Tech. Here are our top tips for making the most of your roommate experience.

  • Discuss Schedules: What are your preferred sleep and study schedules? When will you be at class or work?
  • Respect Privacy and Belongings: What items can be shared? What are your individual needs regarding privacy?
  • Keep It Clean: How will you work together to keep your space clean? What chores will be done and how often?
  • Discuss Guests: When will guests be allowed in the room?
  • Plan for Communication & Compromise: How will you handle conflict? Discuss concerns as soon as they arise and plan for compromise. If you and your roommate can't reach an agreement after discussing your concerns with each other, contact your Student Leader.

Key topics to discuss

  • What time do you wake up? Are you a light sleeper? Do you take naps?
  • Will we share personal belongings? Are some things off limits?
  • Will we schedule quiet times for studying or sleeping?
  • How do you study best (e.g., music, silence, privacy)?
  • How frequently can guests visit?
  • How clean do you expect the room to be?
  • How will we bring up disagreement?

What is an SL?

Watch a quick reel from our Student Leaders!

Student Leaders, also commonly referred to as an SLs, are innovative and adaptable student leaders assigned to residential halls to promote the well-being and safety of the students. These staff members are trained to help mediate a situation and find a solution before making a room change.

Your experience at VT starts with you and what you put into it! Looking for more tips on living in a residence hall community? Check out our webpage on Hokie Living.

Helpful Hokie Resources

  • Complete your New Student Checklist: The essential incoming Hokie to-do list. Have you checked off all the steps?
  • Check your vt.edu email each week for more on-campus life tips, important housing information, and chances to win our summer giveaway!
  • Get to know FERPA: You’re in charge of your records now! FERPA is a federal law that says only you (the student) can decide who has access to your info. Want someone to have access or communicate with VT for you? You’ll need to set them up with permissions. Look under “June” on the Checklist for more info.
  • Follow @vtresidential on Instagram to stay informed about your on-campus experience.

Email: Monday, June 30

Hey Hokie!

It's almost the Fourth of July and, while we love fireworks here at Virginia Tech, we do NOT love fires in our residence halls!

Read our Hokie Hints on fire safety so that you can help prevent on-campus fires, then fill out the survey in this email for a chance to win one of our summer giveaway prizes.

For more giveaway info and on-campus living tips, follow us on Instagram @vtresidential!

Fire Safety Videos

Find more fire safety information on the Student Affairs Facilities and Operations website, keep reading, and watch the videos below to prepare for on-campus life.

Why should you follow the fire safety rules? To help keep you and your fellow Hokies safe, and avoid burning down your residence hall, for a start! Every rule has a reason. Check out our Fire Safety Rules and Reasons video.

How to Decorate your Residence Hall (while following fire code and housing policy)

Top 5 Fire Alarm Triggers and How to Prevent Them

Fire Alarms and Drills

The safety and well-being of Virginia Tech students is our top priority, and among the most effective ways to protect residents is to have a functional and available fire alarm system and to educate residents how to quickly and safely evacuate the building.

As a student living in a residence hall, you might experience a fire alarm for a variety of reasons:

  • State and local laws require fire drills each semester.
  • Smoke from burnt microwave popcorn or other cooking situations. (p.s. Don’t forget to put water in your ramen noodles!)
  • Acts of vandalism or misuse of fire equipment
  • Find more information on scheduled fire drills.

Top 5 Fire Alarm Triggers and Preventing Them

Keep reading or check out an animated video about the top 5 fire alarm triggers and how to prevent them!

  • Burnt food: Never leave food unattended in the microwave, stove, or oven.
  • Steam: Do not leave hot water running while not actively using the sink or shower.
  • Pranks, intentional tampering, and alarm pulling: Do not bring flammable materials or tamper with the fire prevention systems.
  • Vaping and smoking: Do not vape or smoke inside or within 25 feet of any building.
  • Hair, body and room sprays: Do not use excessive amounts of these products.

Behaviors that Promote Fire Safety

Residence hall fires are not common, but they can occur and could have devastating consequences to both people and property. Fire safety reduces the risk of these instances and minimizes residence hall evacuations.

  • Do not interfere with your room smoke detector in any way. This includes muting the alarm speaker, covering the unit with any material, or otherwise tampering with the detector in any manner.
  • Do not alter or disable room doors, including the closing mechanism or preventing the lock from engaging. Fire door systems slow and contain fire to limit damage and aid evacuation.
  • Every resident must promptly exit the building each time the building fire alarm sounds.
  • Follow fire safety guidelines and VT Housing Policies when decorating your room.

Tampering with fire and life safety equipment on campus will have consequences

Intentionally setting false alarms or otherwise tampering with fire or other life safety equipment:

  • Desensitizes residents to potential danger.
  • Puts lives at greater risk.
  • Can divert life-saving resources away from other urgent campus and community needs.

Don’t get caught red-handed: Dye indicators have been added to fire alarm pull stations and fire extinguishers throughout all campus residence halls to deter false alarms. This dye will mark the individual activating the station for three or more days.

Avoid serious legal charges: If a student is found to have pulled a fire alarm or discharged a fire extinguisher without cause, that person will:

  • Be referred to student conduct,
  • Be responsible for any costs required to restore affected equipment, related clean up, and the use of campus and local resources called upon in response to the false alarm,
  • Face criminal charges filed through the Virginia Tech Police Department, and/or
  • Face the cancellation of their housing contract.

Additional sanctions are possible. If you are aware of any acts of vandalism involving a fire alarm system or any safety-related items within a residence hall, please notify Virginia Tech Police, your residential well-being student leaders, or Student Conduct.

Anonymous reports may be filed using the Virginia Tech Police Anonymous Tip Form.

Email: Monday, July 7

Hey Hokie — we need your help!

To help keep Virginia Tech’s beautiful campus a clean home for you and your fellow Hokies, read our Hokie Hints below on proper trash disposal and recycling methods on campus.

Check your vt.edu email and follow @vtresidential on Instagram for more interactive content that will help you lead a successful and sustainable social life at VT!

The Do’s and Do Not’s of Trash Disposal

Do throw the following items in the trash:

  • Plastics #3 - #7.
  • Tin foil.
  • Plastic bags and straws.

Do dispose of these items in a dumpster or trash compactor marked "Landfill/Trash Only" located around campus for you to use.

Do learn to use the trash compactor

Check out this short Reel made for Hokies, by Hokies with step-by-step directions for using the trash compactors on campus

Do not leave trash on the ground

  • You may be charged for clean-up/disposal for improperly disposed trash that is traced back to you.
  • Your trash attracts vermin and pests.
  • Just because someone else leaves their trash on the ground, you should not follow their example.

The Do’s and Do Not’s of Recycling

Do recycle the following items:

  • Plastic bottles (#1 and #2 only).
  • Paper and cardboard.
  • Aluminum cans.

VT does single stream recycling on campus. All of the above can be put together in a recycling dumpster nearest your residence hall. You do not have to sort!

Do compost

  • Our dining facilities compost food waste and containers from the dining centers.
  • Our dining centers have compostable items such as cups, straws, and to-go flatware.

Do YTOSS

  • The YMCA at Virginia Tech collects items such as books, clothing, and small electronics every spring during move-out. Students and families can donate items. The items collected are available to other Hokies during the Y-toss sale each fall.
  • Learn more about YTOSS, items sold there, and check back for fall '25 updates coming soon!

Do not contaminate recycling materials with trash materials

  • When trash is improperly disposed of in recycling bins, it contaminates the entire load of recycling.
  • Contaminated recycling must be sent to the landfill.
  • If you throw just one bag of trash into the wrong bin, you may disrupt an entire dumpster’s worth of recycling and add over 1,200 pounds of waste to landfills with each contaminated dumpster.
  • Trash sent to landfills generates more greenhouse gas emissions than waste that is properly recycled.

Do not put your recycling in the trash compactor or dumpster. The compactors are not intended for recycling disposal.

Dumpster and Trash Compactor Locations

There are permanent dumpsters and compactors available for your use on campus. Access a PDF version of the dumpster and trash compactor map that includes additional, temporary locations available on move-in days through the move-in website!

Sustainability

As a member of the Hokie Nation, you are now part of VT’s mission to be a zero-waste campus. We thank you for your contributions to our clean and sustainable campus.

Read about how VT has been globally ranked for sustainability efforts, and check out how you can help us keep moving forward through sustainable living, sustainable dining, and sustainable transportation.