Tuscaloosa, AL · Roll Tide · Tuscaloosa
Presidential Village 1 Dorm Checklist 2026
University of Alabama
2- and 4-bedroom suites with living room & kitchenette, bathrooms shared by two
Suite-style first-year hall — 2- and 4-bedroom suites where every suite has its own living room and kitchenette with a full-size refrigerator and microwave. Bedrooms hold one resident each; bathrooms are shared by two, with private toilet and shower. Beds adjust up to 50 inches. Near Presidential Terrace and Lakeside Dining.
- Bed SizeTwin XL · 36"×80" (adjustable height, up to 50")
- Under-BedAdjustable up to 50" — huge under-bed storage without risers
- ACYes
- On-CampusOptional
✓ In the room
Bed frame & Twin XL mattressdesk (2-piece)desk chairdressercloset/wardrobesuite living room with FULL-SIZE refrigeratormicrowave & storage cabinetscafé dining table & chairs
✗ Not provided
Beddingtowelsshower caddyhangersdesk lamp
⊘ Prohibited
Candlesoil lampsincensehookahshalogen lamps & bulbsgasoline/charcoal/flammablesnatural-cut trees or greenerycooking appliances without auto shut-offextension cords (bring a surge-protected power strip)
- Extension cords are prohibited in UA housing and can be removed by staff — bring a surge-protected power strip instead.
- Doing sorority recruitment? Early move-in is August 6-7, 2026 — register through your housing application (registering for Primary Recruitment before June 1 avoids a 4-5 day delay in booking early move-in times). Your packing deadline is days earlier than the regular Aug 8 move-in.
Everything for your Presidential Village 1 room
The complete University of Alabama packing list, tuned to Presidential Village 1 — best picks flagged, anything the room already includes pulled out, and every item shoppable. Affiliate links; prices shown on Amazon.
112 items across 14 categories
Bedding
(9)
⭐ Top pickTwin XL fitted sheet × 2Compare picks →Most dorm mattresses are 80" long — standard twin won't fitPresidential Village 1 beds are Twin XL · 36"×80" (adjustable height, up to 50") — get Twin XL, not standard twin.
Pillowcases × 4 (2 per pillow)
⭐ Top pickMattress topper (Twin XL)Compare picks →Dorm mattresses are firm and thin — a 2–3" memory foam or gel topper makes a real difference
Extra blanket or throwPresidential Village 1's AC runs cold at night — pack a warm layer.
⭐ Top pickWaterproof mattress pad (Twin XL)Protects the mattress from spills and wear — a cheap layer you'll be glad you packed
Zippered mattress encasement (waterproof, bed-bug proof)Dorm mattresses are used and shared — a zippered encasement fully seals it against spills, dust mites, and bed bugs
Fan — optional
(1)
⭐ Top pickSmall desk fan (optional)Compare picks →AC is available but many students still bring one for air circulation or white noise.Presidential Village 1 is air-conditioned, so a fan is comfort, not survival.
Bathroom
(9)
⭐ Top pickShower caddy (hanging mesh or plastic tote)Compare picks →Most freshman halls have communal bathrooms — you carry everything to and from the shower
Toiletry bag for daily-use items
Toothbrush covers (travel cases)Breathable vented covers keep your toothbrush clean on the trip to and from a communal bathroom
Facial tissuesKeep a box at the desk and nightstand — colds and allergies rip through a dorm
Toilet paperSuite / private-bathroom halls only — communal-bath dorms stock it for you (check the “In every room” list above)
Personal Care & Grooming
(10)
Hair dryer (compact)Not provided — you'll want your own for the walk back from a communal bathroom
Hair straightener or curling iron
Hair brush + comb set
Hair claw clips (variety pack)
Gentle face wash (CeraVe)
Razor & blade refills
Nail clipper & grooming kit
Cotton swabs (Q-tips)
Period-supply organizer pouchA discreet zip pouch for pads or tampons — the essential nobody wants to source last-minute at a new campus
⭐ Top pickOver-door / full-length mirrorCompare picks →Dorm rooms rarely have a full-length mirror, and you can't drill the walls — an over-door one hangs with zero damage
Storage & Organization
(8)
⭐ Top pickUnder-bed storage bins or drawersCompare picks →Check your hall's under-bed clearance on the hall checklist page before buyingPresidential Village 1 beds have Adjustable up to 50" — huge under-bed storage without risers clearance — measure before buying.
Adjustable bed risers (set of 4)Stackable to 3, 5, or 8 inches — lift the bed for far more under-bed storage. Check your frame first; many dorm beds already adjust in height
Command picture hanging stripsVelcro-style strips hang posters, photos, and light frames level and hole-free, then peel off cleanly — no move-out damage charge
Tension curtain rods (2-pack)No-drill spring rods (28–43") to add a closet rod, hang a window curtain, or string a divider curtain for privacy in a shared room
Closet Space-Savers
(4)
⭐ Top pickSlim velvet hangers × 30–40Compare picks →Dorm closets are narrow — thin non-slip hangers fit far more than bulky plastic ones
⭐ Top pickCascading hanger connector hooksCompare picks →Chain hangers vertically to turn one closet rod into three or four rows
⭐ Top pickMulti-slot space-saving hangersCompare picks →One hanger holds five items stacked vertically
⭐ Top pickCloset-doubler rod (2-tier)Compare picks →Hangs from the existing rod to add a second hanging level — no tools
Tech & Power
(12)
⭐ Top pickSurge protector power strip (6+ outlets)Compare picks →Most schools require a surge protector — plain extension cords are prohibited
Ethernet cable (10 ft)Wired connections are faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi for video calls and gaming
USB-C hub or docking station
Power bank / portable charger
⭐ Top pickBluetooth speaker (compact)Optional — keep it compact and respect quiet hours, which most halls enforce
Printer (optional — most campuses have free print labs)
Assorted zip ties (variety pack)Assorted sizes and colors for taming the cable mess behind the desk, bundling cords under the bed, and loft/dorm setup
Reusable velcro cable tiesHook-and-loop straps you can undo and re-bundle — the rearrangeable alternative to zip ties for chargers and monitor cords
Adhesive cable clips (cord holders)Stick-on clips anchor phone chargers and cords to the desk edge so cables stop sliding behind the desk
Charging cables (10 ft, 3-pack)Extra-long braided USB-C cables reach from a lofted bed to a far wall outlet — the spare everyone forgets
Multi-port USB wall charger (40W)One 4-port block charges your phone, earbuds, and tablet from a single scarce dorm outlet
Laundry
(7)
Laundry detergent pods (compact for dorm storage)
Dryer sheets
Mesh laundry bag for delicates
Foldable clothes drying rackAir-dry laundry and delicates in a tight room to dodge dryer shrink and per-load costs, then fold it flat against the wall- Laundry app or coinsCheck if your school uses an app (Circuit, LaundryView) or quarters before you go
Fabric stain remover spray
Tide-to-Go or similar
Desk & Study
(6)
⭐ Top pickDesk lamp (LED)Compare picks →Not provided in most halls — check your school's provided list above
⭐ Top pickLaptop stand (adjustable)Ergonomic for long study sessions — pairs with any keyboard
Scissors and tape
Whiteboard or sticky notes for the door- Backpack (bring from home)
Health & Safety
(10)
Basic first aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, medical tape)
Ibuprofen / acetaminophen
Thermometer
Cold and flu medicine
Hand sanitizer
Reusable face masks
Disinfecting wipesWipe down desks, doorknobs, and shared surfaces — cold and flu rip through a dorm floor
Vitamin C / immune supportDorms are germ factories — keep a box for the first sign of dorm crud
24-hour allergy tabletsNon-drowsy antihistamine for new-city pollen and dusty old dorm buildings
Blister patchesHydrocolloid patches for the blisters a big campus gives you in week one
Comfort & Room
(18)
Gym bag / duffel (with shoe pocket)Gym, weekend trips home, and laundromat hauls — a tote won't cut it
Sleep mask + earplugsShared room, roommate's lamp, hallway noise — the cheapest sleep upgrade there is
Portable white-noise machineMasks thin dorm walls and a roommate's off-schedule coming and going so it's easier to fall asleep
Collapsible storage ottomanA 36L cube that swallows a bin of gear, holds 250 lb for guest seating or a footrest, then folds flat when you don't need it
Odor absorber (charcoal bags)Skip plug-in fresheners, candles, and wax warmers — most dorms ban them (fire code). Charcoal bags absorb odor with no flame or outlet.
Handheld garment steamerFaster and far more compact than an iron + board.Before you buy: check your school's appliance rules — some restrict irons/steamers — and pick one with auto-shutoff.
Slippers / house shoesCold, not-always-clean dorm floors — shower shoes are for the bathroom
Lint roller (5-pack)
Mini tool kit / screwdriver setFor assembling a loft, tightening a wobbly bed frame, and move-in boxes
Water filter pitcher (Brita)Dorm tap water, no kitchen filter — a 6-cup fits in a mini-fridge
⭐ Top pickMini fridge (if not provided)Compare picks →Check the “In every room” list above first — many schools include a MicroFridge and ban personal ones. Bring one only if yours doesn't.
Bed rest reading pillowDorm beds have no headboard — a backrest with arms lets you sit up to study or read in bed
Weighted blanket (15 lb, twin)Calmer, deeper sleep in a noisy hall — sized to a dorm bed
Compact HEPA air purifierQuiet desktop unit for dusty old buildings, allergies, and roommate smells
Folding saucer / lounge chairThe extra seat a dorm never has — folds flat when you don't need it
Mini projector (movie nights)Turns a blank wall into a movie night — a floor favorite
Essential-oil diffuserWater-based ultrasonic (no flame) — the dorm-safe way to freshen a roomBefore you buy: some schools restrict diffusers, humidifiers, or scented devices — check your housing rules, and pick one with auto shut-off.
Kitchen & Dining
(4)
Dorm dinnerware set (microwave-safe)Microwave- and dishwasher-safe plates, bowls, and cups so you're not eating ramen out of the pot
Dish drying matAbsorbent mat to air-dry dishes on a tiny counter — doubles for drying a shower caddy or shoes
Bottle & straw brush setCleans the straws and narrow necks of Stanley-style tumblers your other brushes can't reach
Paper towelsFor spills and quick cleanup when there's no kitchen — select-a-size to waste less
Misc Essentials
(10)
Reusable water bottle (large, 32 oz+)
Umbrella (compact)
Rain jacket or packable jacket
Reusable tote bags × 2–3 (grocery runs, gym, dining)
Alarm clock or use your phone
Shower timer (optional, for communal bathroom courtesy)
⭐ Top pickArea rug (3×5 ft)Compare picks →Adds warmth and cuts the echo on bare dorm floors — measure your space first
⭐ Top pickStep trash can with lidNot provided — a hands-free pedal can with a soft-close lid keeps odors down by the desk (grab a pack of small liners too)
Safety box openerCeramic auto-retract blade opens the mountain of move-in boxes without slicing what's inside — safe and dorm-allowed
Move-In Day Gear
(4)
Wheeled rolling moving bagWheels and a pull handle let you drag a fully loaded 600D bag up the stairs instead of hauling the weight — the move-in day lifesaver
XL moving & storage bags (6-pack)Haul a whole carload of bedding and clothes in one trip, then fold them flat to store bulky stuff over breaks
Folding hand truck / dollyRolls a mini-fridge, boxes, and furniture up to your room in far fewer trips, then folds flat to slide under the bed
Folding collapsible wagon cartLoad a full haul and roll it across campus in one pass, then collapse it flat when you're done
Related guides: Dorm move-in checklist · Best dorm shower caddy · Dorm mattress topper guide
Dorm shopping guides: Mini fridge · Surge protector · Storage bins · Mattress topper · Desk lamp · Bedding sets · Twin XL sheets · Shower caddy · Towels · Shower shoes · Laundry hamper · Area rug · Mirror · Over-door organizer · Closet organizers · Fans (no AC) · Loft bed setup
Sources & verification — last checked Jul 26, 2026
Living in Presidential Village 1: what to know before you pack
The room
Presidential Village 1 gives every resident their own bedroom inside a 2- or 4-person suite — with a shared living room and kitchenette that includes a full-size refrigerator, a microwave, and storage cabinets. That reshapes your shopping list: no fridge, no microwave, and real cabinet space for food. Your bedroom comes with a Twin XL bed (36"×80") on a frame that adjusts up to 50 inches high, a two-piece desk with storage unit, a desk chair, a 3-drawer dresser, and a wide closet (59 inches). The adjustable frame is the storage cheat code — raise it and an entire dresser's worth of bins fits underneath without buying risers. Bathrooms are shared by just two suitemates, with a private toilet and shower and built-in linen shelves. Floors are carpeted.
Day to day
PV1 works like a first apartment with training wheels: your own bedroom, a living room you actually furnish with your suitemates (a TV, a rug, and floor cushions go further here than in any traditional dorm), and a kitchenette for real groceries. The building sits in the Presidential Village area near Presidential Terrace and Lakeside Dining, so meals are a short walk. Community kitchens on the 1st floor (two ovens) and 7th floor (full stove and oven) cover actual cooking beyond the kitchenette. Laundry is centralized on the 3rd floor. Common spaces throughout the building host RA-led programming — with suites this self-contained, it's worth showing up to those early to meet people beyond your suitemates.
Move-in day
First-year move-in is Saturday, August 8, 2026, with sorority recruitment early move-in on August 6-7 (7am-7pm) and program-based early slots the morning of the 8th — check your housing application for your window. Coordinate with suitemates before anyone shops: the suite needs exactly one of each shared item (TV, rug, coffee maker), the kitchenette already has the fridge and microwave, and duplicated purchases are the classic suite-style mistake. Set your bed height on day one — raising it to the top does more for storage than any organizer you can buy. Tuscaloosa in August is punishingly humid; take the earliest window you can and unload fast.
Presidential Village 1 FAQ
- Do Presidential Village 1 suites have a kitchen?
- Each suite has a kitchenette in the living room — a full-size refrigerator, a microwave, and storage cabinets — which covers groceries, leftovers, and everything short of actual stovetop cooking. For that, the building's community kitchens fill the gap: the 1st floor has two ovens and the 7th floor has a full stove and oven. Practically, this means you should not buy a fridge or microwave for PV1, and you can pack more real-kitchen basics than a typical freshman: a pan, a few utensils, and food-storage containers get used here.
- Do you get your own room in Presidential Village 1?
- Yes — PV1's 2- and 4-bedroom suites give each resident a private bedroom, with the living room, kitchenette, and bathrooms shared among suitemates. Bathrooms are shared by just two people, with a private toilet and shower and built-in shelves for linens. It's the most apartment-like setup in UA's first-year system: privacy when you want it, a built-in social unit when you don't. The trade-off is that suite living can insulate you from the rest of the floor, so the RA programming in the common spaces is worth actually attending during the first weeks.
- How high do the beds in Presidential Village 1 go?
- The Twin XL beds sit on adjustable frames that raise up to 50 inches from the floor — high enough to fit a full set of storage drawers, luggage, and bins underneath without buying risers (which UA's fixed-height halls can't use at all). Set the height during move-in before the room fills up. If you raise it near the max, a bed rail is available from housing, and a small step stool earns its space. Pair the raised bed with tall under-bed drawers rather than shallow bins — you have the clearance, so use it.
- Where do Presidential Village residents eat?
- The Presidential Village area sits near Presidential Terrace and Lakeside Dining, both a short walk from the front door, and your meal plan covers the dining halls. Between those, the suite kitchenette (full fridge, microwave, cabinets), and the community kitchens on the 1st and 7th floors for real cooking, PV1 residents have more food flexibility than almost any other UA freshmen. Pack accordingly: food-storage containers, a water bottle, and basic utensils get daily use; a full cookware set is overkill unless you genuinely plan to use the community stoves.
More University of Alabama halls
Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.