The car is unloaded, the boxes are unpacked, and parents are headed home, it is time for school. Here are a few things Illinois State University students should keep in mind as they settle into their new area. (Please note: The majority of these tips are for students living in university-owned housing).

Get to know Illinois State, meet new friends, and have fun at Welcome Week
For our new Illinois State students, Welcome Week is something not to miss. It’s filled with free events, campus resources, and a chance to get in a little extra fun before the classes start.

Enjoy the food
Meal plans are active beginning Wednesday, August 15 at 11 a.m.  View dining hours and a list of places to eat online.   It’s easy to track meal and flex dollar usage at My.IllinoisState.edu.  And don’t forget to treat parents to a free meal through Campus Dining’s Parent’s RSVP program; just submit a reservation a week in advance through the Dining website.

You’ve got mail. Now what?
Make sure to find out where housing mailboxes are located within your housing area. Also make sure to share housing addresses with family and friends (find these on our housing area’s webpage). Mailing addresses may also be found in the Move-In Guide on the Illinois State App. If a resident is expecting a package, an alert will be sent to the resident’s Illinois State email when a package is ready to be picked up at the area’s front desk.

Get a say on your floor’s community standards
Each floor will hold a meeting within the first few days after the majority of residents have moved into rooms. This is where residents will learn more about housing resources, and discuss community standards.

Keep those clothes smelling fresh
Each housing area has a laundry facility (Cardinal Court apartments has a mix of laundry facilities and in-unit machines). The cost to do laundry is $1.10 per use if using money on a Redbird ID, or it’s $1.25 if using coins. Use Laundryview to see when machines are available or when clothes are clean.

We can fix that

If something needs to be fixed within a room or living area or a resident believes something is not quite working like it should, submit a work order as soon as possible to get someone to stop by to check out the situation.

Don’t have a car, not a problem
We have plenty of public transportation options to get around the community, and many places are within walking distance. Check out bus routes and information. Don’t forget: Your Redbird ID lets you ride the bus for free!

Get involved!
There are plenty of ways to get involved around campus. To get involved within a housing area, check out the Association of Residence Halls to find out what members do and how to become a part of this organization.