Campus is about to get busy.

As summer winds down and a new school year approaches, Towson University is preparing to welcome more than 19,000 students back to campus for the fall semester. With more than 6,000 students moving into the residence halls, TU staff members have been working hard to get campus ready for them.

“Welcoming our Tigers to campus is an exciting time of year at TU,” says Vernon Hurte, TU’s  senior vice president for student affairs and university life. “It’s rewarding seeing families make lasting memories, and our team is just as excited as our students. We can’t wait to watch our students make the most of every opportunity to thrive this year!”

While the coming weeks are filled with excitement, TU knows students have plenty of questions about move-in. Whether it’s what to bring, where to eat or how to find their classes, here’s what students and families need to know before arriving on campus.

Use this guide to learn more about:

Moving-In

President Ginsberg taking a selfie with a student

A student’s housing assignment was sent to their TU email account on Mon., Aug. 4, and is available under the student’s View Housing Assignments in MyTU. Students will only receive their roommate information and the building they are living in.

Once a student arrives at the centralized check-in spot at SECU Arena, they will receive their room key. Parking for SECU Arena will be in Lot 8. Please follow signage that will be located throughout campus.

question from the tu community

Can we bring a U-Haul truck to campus?

“No, U-Haul trucks aren’t allowed. Our garages are too short and unloading zones too tight, so large trucks block traffic. Use a car or SUV instead.” — Housing and Residence Life

Move-In Schedule

A student and their parent

Students are required to sign up for a specific one-hour check-in window between Aug. 20–24. Each student will be able select a move-in window between the hours below.

  • Wed., Aug. 20: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for new students with last names A–K
  • Thurs., Aug. 21: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for new students with last names L–Z
  • Fri., Aug. 22: 12:30 – 5 p.m. for returning students
  • Sat., Aug. 23: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for returning students

For example, if a student selects 10 a.m. as their move-in time, they will have from 10–11 a.m. to check-in at centralized check-in.

question from the tu community

Is there help for move-in? / How many people can we bring? 

“Yes! Our Move-In Crew is here to help make things smooth! You’re welcome to bring helpers, but we recommend limiting your group to 2–3 additional people to avoid crowding in the halls and rooms. Please follow any posted guidelines to keep the process safe and efficient for everyone.” — Housing and Residence Life

Roommates

Rommates at Towson University

One of the first and most important Towson University relationships a student will build is with their roommate.

When students receive their housing assignment, they will also receive their roommate’s contact information. Whether a student has selected or has been assigned a roommate, it is a great idea to reach out and get to know them.  

question from the tu community

Is there a way to change your roommate if you two are not feeling each other’s vibes?

“We get it, not every match is perfect. If you’re having trouble with your roommate, start by talking with your resident assistant (RA). They’ll help guide a conversation or assist with next steps if a room change is needed.”  — Housing and Residence Life

Residence Halls 

Students stand together near carts used for move-in

Learn more about your residence hall, your new home away from home.

Wondering what you should bring?

All rooms are furnished with a mattress and frame, desk, chair, closet or wardrobe, shower curtains, dresser (part of the wardrobe for spaces with a wardrobe), wall-to-wall carpet (tile in the Glen Complex), MicroFridge, XFINITY On Campus Streaming Service and internet access. Furniture dimensions can be found here.

Housing and Residence Life recommends that students only bring essentials when moving in. For a complete list of what is recommended that students to bring to campus, as well as a list of prohibited items, learn more about packing for college.

question from the tu community

Can I bring cooking items like a Crock-Pot or air fryer to campus?

“We know the temptation is real but cooking appliances with exposed heating elements aren’t allowed in the residence halls for safety reasons. Check out our full list of prohibited items before you pack!” — Housing and Residence Life

Parking 

Students taking a shuttle, that's available to all Towson University students

Students can now purchase their 2025–26 parking permits. You must be registered for classes and have your housing assignment (if applicable) before a permit can be purchased.

Students should purchase a parking permit prior to parking on campus. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Most weekdays during the fall and spring semesters the Towsontown, Glen and Union garages are full by 10 a.m. There is ample parking in the lots near the stadium complex, and free shuttle services are available.

All vehicles parked on campus must have a valid permit during enforcement hours: Monday – Thursday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

question from the tu community

Can I park my car on campus overnight?

“Overnight parking is not permitted on the main campus Monday – Thursday unless you have a resident parking permit and are parked in the designated resident lot. Non-residents (Commuters, Faculty/Staff, etc.) are permitted to occasionally park overnight at the Stadium lots near SECU Arena/Johnny Unitas Stadium (Lots 4, 5, parts of 6, 7 and 8). Long-term overnight parking is prohibited for non-residents at Towson University. Individuals who are not able to secure parking at their apartment complex may not store their vehicles on campus property. Vehicles parked more than 10 days may be declared abandoned and are subject to towing. Only resident students with a valid resident permit are permitted to park in the resident lots overnight. For more information, please visit our website.” — TU Parking and Transportation 

Dining on Campus 

A student holding a plate at the West Village Dining Hall, one of TU's All-you-care-to-eat dining halls.

All Towson University students — residents and commuters alike — can choose from 16 dining locations on campus. These include full-service, all-you-care-to-eat facilities at Glen Dining Hall, Newell Dining Hall and West Village Commons; grab-and-go options such as Einstein Bagels and Panda Express; and three convenience stores.

Students can choose from a number of dining plans, designed with options to suit their schedule. View Towson University meal plan options and dining costs.

To see the hours, menus, locations, information about dining plans and nutritional information for all of TU’s dining locations, check out the Tiger Hospitality website. Follow Tiger Hospitality’s Facebook and Instagram for dining specials.

OneCard 

student checking out a book at Cook Library

The OneCard is the official Towson University ID card. It provides access to many university services: library privileges at Cook Library, free or reduced-priced tickets at Towson University events, access to the Burdick Hall campus recreation center and more!

With two debit spending accounts, the OneCard provides cashless access to goods and services campus wide. If linked to a valid PNC account, cash withdrawals may be made from PNC ATMs.

Need to apply for your first OneCard? Watch this video for an overview of the process then click here to start the online application and photo upload.

Student Resources 

A student receiving help at the Towson University Career Center
  • The OTS Technology Support Desk helps with email, TU NetIDs, passwords, Duo, Wi-Fi/internet and general tech issues. Your TU NetID and password is needed to access almost every online service at TU. If you're looking for software or to use multi-media equipment, OTS can help point you in the right direction. 

  • The Campus Recreation Center at Burdick Hall is a 235,000-square-foot recreation and fitness facility open to all Towson University students.

  • The Counseling Center’s services include self-help programs, massage chairs, peer support, wellness workshops, meditation services, support groups, therapy groups, same-day mental health consultations, solution-focused support and referral services.

  • The Health Center provides health and wellness services for all registered students. They can log into the Tiger Health Portal to manage records, make appointments and more.

  • The Center for Student Diversity (CSD) provides advocacy and support for under-represented and marginalized populations and creates a welcoming and inclusive campus environment.

  • The Career Center not only connects students with potential employers, it helps students prepare for an interview and perfect their resume, sometimes through one-on-one career counseling.

Stay in the know 

Last year's new students make a version of the Towson University logo

There are several ways to stay up to date with what’s happening on campus. Look for the daily TU Today email in your inbox each morning to get the latest campus news, events and announcements. Check out all the things happening on campus by checking out the Towson University Newsroom. 

In case of emergency, all students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled to receive emergency text alerts. In addition, the Office of Public Safety shares safety alerts via email, the university’s website and, when appropriate, the campus emergency siren system.

The campus community can also stay up to date by following TU’s social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. And remember, any information on the university can be found by searching the Towson University website.