Before You Arrive
At Orientation, pick up your CarolinaCard.
Your CarolinaCard is your all-in-one passport to campus life at the University. It is your permanent student ID used to check-in on Move-In Day, enter your residence hall and to access your Carolina Cash account and meal plan. The CarolinaCard Office is in the basement of the Russell House and is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information, visit the CarolinaCard Office’s website at carolinacard.sc.edu.
Check VIP for your room assignment and roommate information.
Contact your roommate prior to Move-In Day. You can send them a message through the Housing Assignment homepage on VIP, located under the “Personal” tab. Your roommate’s University email address will also be listed with your assignment, however, your suitemates’ information (if applicable) will not be listed.
Make a packing list.
Review the suggested list of items to bring, as well as prohibited items. Be sure to talk with your roommate to decide who is bringing shared items to avoid duplicates.
Provide proof of Personal Property and Liability Insurance to University Housing.
Personal Property and Liability Insurance is required for all students. Log in to VIP and access your Housing Assignment homepage for submission details. Check with your parents about adding your valuables to their homeowner’s policy or contact an insurance carrier about getting a separate renter’s insurance policy. The University’s insurance only covers those items belonging to the University of South Carolina.
If bringing a computer to campus, check for network compatibility and purchase any necessary accessories.
Review the University Technology Services (UTS) website at www.uts.sc.edu for computer recommendations and requirements. Residents will need a 25-foot Ethernet cable (recommended length) to connect to the data jack in your room. Be sure to update your operating system with all critical patches and install antivirus software. You’ll need to know your network username and password to complete your setup on Move-In Day. This information is available under the “Technology” tab on VIP.
Finalize your parking arrangements.
Parking on campus is available to all students whose vehicle displays a valid parking permit. Permits may be purchased from Parking Services. Unless otherwise specified, the permit does not guarantee a parking space. Parking Services is located in the Pendleton Street Garage at the corner of Pickens and Pendleton Streets. Find out more details about parking on campus online at www.sc.edu/vmps/park.html or call the Parking Services Office at 803-777-5160.
Deposit money to your Carolina Cash account.
Log in to VIP to add money to your CarolinaCard to use for laundry, purchasing books and meal overages. Throughout the year, you can add funds at the CarolinaCard Office in the Russell House basement, on VIP or at the Automatic Deposit Machines (ADM) in the Thomas Cooper Library, the Business Library and in the Russell House outside the bookstore.
Make plans to ship any belongings to campus to arrive after August 13.
Mail and parcels may be shipped to arrive no earlier than August 13, 2012. Packages can be picked up Move-In Weekend at the Student Mail Center located in the basement of the Russell House. Packages cannot be delivered to individual residence halls. The USC Student Mail Center will not accept the following shipments: palletized shipments, freight, hazardous materials and oversized shipments.
Review your suggested staggered move-in time.
Review your suggested move-in time and remember to bring your parking decal that will be mailed to you in July.
Check the weather for Columbia, SC for Move-In Weekend.
Consider bringing a tarp or plastic to cover belongings while unloading in case of rain. Also, wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Water stations will be available around campus. Small cups will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own water bottle.