Is Forest air conditioned?

Yes. IU's building-by-building climate control listing puts Forest among its air-conditioned buildings with non-operable windows: when the outdoor temperature is above 53°F, cooling can be set from 72°F to 76°F, and when it is below 50°F, heating can be set from 68°F to 78°F. Two practical consequences: because the windows do not open, a window fan or window AC unit is dead weight, and personal air conditioners are prohibited campus-wide unless IU Housing approves one for a documented medical need.

What room types does Forest offer?

Single and double rooms. Both have a virtual tour on Forest's official page with floor plans and a virtual measuring tool you can toggle from the bottom left of the tour. IU does not publish which of its four restroom styles Forest uses — its restrooms page names Briscoe, Spruce, Read, and Walnut Grove but skips Forest — so check the bathroom setup on the tour rather than assuming.

Can I loft my bed in Forest?

IU does not say, and that is the honest answer. Its room-essentials page states only that the ability to loft a bed depends on the residence hall and room type, and that not all rooms accommodate the same lofts and layouts. Lofting requests go through Bedloft, IU's third-party vendor, rather than Housing staff. What is certain: residents may not reconfigure or disassemble university beds themselves, and bed risers of any kind are prohibited. Ask Bedloft or Residence Life about your specific room before you build a storage plan around it.

What does a room at Forest cost for 2026-27?

Forest is in IU's Standard rate category: $8,275 for the most common room and $9,516 for the highest, for the academic year. That covers heat, electricity, air conditioning, water, trash, and laundry. It does not cover the required 7-day meal plan for first-time residents ($4,404 to $5,563), the $200 non-refundable housing application fee, or learning-community activity fees, which run $100 to $200 a year for the communities based in Forest.

Bloomington, IN · First-Year Housing Required

Forest Dorm Checklist 2026

Indiana University Bloomington

Single or double rooms; IU does not publish this hall's restroom style — confirm on the hall's virtual room tour

Verified Aug 18, 2026 · housing.indiana.edu

Forest is a first-year-majority hall in IU's Southeast area.

Bed SizeTwin XL, mattress 20" from floor
Under-BedNot published, varies by room type
ACYes
On-CampusRequired

✓ In the room

Closet or wardrobedeskchairsingle bed with extra-long twin mattresswastebasketwindow coveringsWi-Fitrash and recycling binsfire-retardant blinds/curtains; laundry cost included in the room rate (CrimsonCard swipe)

✗ Not provided

Extra-long twin bedding and mattress covertowelsmini fridge/microwave (rentable via Bedloft)flexible lampUL-listed extension cords and LCDI surge protectorscleaning supplieshangers

⊘ Prohibited

Burning candles and open flamesincensehalogen lights and lampssalt lampswax warmerselectric open-coil heaters and appliances with exposed burnershot platestoaster ovensair fryerscrockpotsfull-size refrigeratorspersonal air conditioners (unless approved by IU Housing for a medical need)bed risers of any kindpets other than fish/crustaceans in an aquarium of 10 gallons or less (service and emotional-support animals require prior approval)hoverboards and motorized scootersnon-UL-approved or non-12-14-gauge extension cordsportable washers/dryers/dishwashersweaponsdrones

IU does not publish which restroom style Forest uses — its restrooms page names Briscoe, Spruce, Read, and Walnut Grove but never maps Forest, so confirm the bathroom layout on the virtual room tour before packing a caddy and robe.
Forest's learning communities add activity fees on top of the room rate: $50 per semester ($100/year) for Media, Atkins, and STEM; $100 per semester ($200/year) for INSPIRE; $50 per semester for thematic communities including Luis Dávila Latinx.
Forest's windows do not open — a window fan or window AC unit is useless here, and personal air conditioners are prohibited unless IU Housing approves one for a medical need.

Living in Forest: what to know before you pack

The room

Forest rooms come as singles or doubles. IU furnishes every residence hall room the same way — a closet or wardrobe, a desk, a chair, a single bed with an extra-long twin mattress, a wastebasket, window coverings, and Wi-Fi — so packing focuses on extra-long twin bedding, a mini fridge/microwave combo under six amps and 3.3 cubic feet, and closet storage. The mattress sits 20 inches from the floor as delivered. Whether that changes is genuinely unsettled: IU says only that the ability to loft a bed depends on the residence hall and room type, and that not all rooms accommodate the same lofts and layouts. Requests go through Bedloft, IU's third-party vendor. Residents may not reconfigure or disassemble university beds themselves, and bed risers of any kind are prohibited — so hold off on under-bed bins until the room is seen. Each room type has a virtual tour on Forest's official page with floor plans and a virtual measuring tool you can use before you buy anything.

Day to day

Forest Dining Hall — one of the largest dining facilities on campus and an all-you-care-to-eat location — is built into the building, which is the amenity residents cite most. The hall also has a media library, a dance studio, a game room, practice rooms and pianos, and one of IU's Academic Support Centers. Laundry cost is included in the room rate; machines start with a CrimsonCard swipe, and the Laundry Alert app on IU Mobile shows which washers are free. Forest houses seven learning communities: Atkins, the Luis Dávila Latinx Thematic Community, an Honors Residential Community, INSPIRE, Media, STEM, and THRIVE. Those carry activity fees the room rate does not cover — $100 a year for Media, Atkins, and STEM, $200 a year for INSPIRE, and $50 a semester for thematic communities. Forest sits at 1725 E. Third St. in IU's Southeast neighborhood and prices in the Standard tier: $8,275 for the most common room in 2026-27, $9,516 at the top.

Move-in day

New first-year students move in during IU's Grand Move-In, Aug. 18-19 for fall 2026. Do not drive to Forest first. Every student checks in at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, 1001 E. 17th St. — enter from the Indiana 45/46 Bypass at Gate 11, Purple Lot, and park in the Green or Orange lot. Only the student may check in; parents and guardians cannot do it for them. They need their CrimsonCard, easiest set up in a phone wallet ahead of time, and they collect the unload-and-go parking pass for the dashboard at check-in. From there you drive to Forest, where you can unload on the circle drive or in the parking lots east and west of the building. IU asks families to unload in 15-20 minutes and to keep one person with the vehicle so a driver can move it immediately. Confirm your assigned date and time window in the Housing Portal, and plan to be moved in by the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 19 so your student makes their first floor meeting. Center desks will not accept or distribute packages on Aug. 18 or 19, so anything you need on arrival day should come in the car.

A styled dorm desk, furnished and shoppable

Room ideas

See dorm rooms styled

4 looks, every object linked to the exact listing.

Styled render — not a photo of Forest.

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 Aug 18, 2026

Forest FAQ

Is Forest air conditioned?: Yes. IU's building-by-building climate control listing puts Forest among its air-conditioned buildings with non-operable windows: when the outdoor temperature is above 53°F, cooling can be set from 72°F to 76°F, and when it is below 50°F, heating can be set from 68°F to 78°F. Two practical consequences: because the windows do not open, a window fan or window AC unit is dead weight, and personal air conditioners are prohibited campus-wide unless IU Housing approves one for a documented medical need.
What room types does Forest offer?: Single and double rooms. Both have a virtual tour on Forest's official page with floor plans and a virtual measuring tool you can toggle from the bottom left of the tour. IU does not publish which of its four restroom styles Forest uses — its restrooms page names Briscoe, Spruce, Read, and Walnut Grove but skips Forest — so check the bathroom setup on the tour rather than assuming.
Can I loft my bed in Forest?: IU does not say, and that is the honest answer. Its room-essentials page states only that the ability to loft a bed depends on the residence hall and room type, and that not all rooms accommodate the same lofts and layouts. Lofting requests go through Bedloft, IU's third-party vendor, rather than Housing staff. What is certain: residents may not reconfigure or disassemble university beds themselves, and bed risers of any kind are prohibited. Ask Bedloft or Residence Life about your specific room before you build a storage plan around it.
What does a room at Forest cost for 2026-27?: Forest is in IU's Standard rate category: $8,275 for the most common room and $9,516 for the highest, for the academic year. That covers heat, electricity, air conditioning, water, trash, and laundry. It does not cover the required 7-day meal plan for first-time residents ($4,404 to $5,563), the $200 non-refundable housing application fee, or learning-community activity fees, which run $100 to $200 a year for the communities based in Forest.
Is Forest a good hall to live in?: That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Forest has Twin XL, mattress 20" from floor beds with Not published, varies by room type of under-bed storage, and is fully air conditioned. Indiana University Bloomington provides Closet or wardrobe, desk, chair, single bed with extra-long twin mattress, wastebasket, window coverings, Wi-Fi, trash and recycling bins, fire-retardant blinds/curtains; laundry cost included in the room rate (CrimsonCard swipe) in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Forest stacks up against Indiana University Bloomington's other halls above.

Thinking About Living in Forest Next Year?

If you're choosing housing for next year rather than packing for move-in, here's what's already verified about Forest: it has Twin XL, mattress 20" from floor beds with Not published, varies by room type of under-bed clearance, and the room is air conditioned. On top of that, the room comes with Closet or wardrobe, desk, chair, single bed with extra-long twin mattress, wastebasket, window coverings, Wi-Fi, trash and recycling bins, fire-retardant blinds/curtains; laundry cost included in the room rate (CrimsonCard swipe); you'll need to bring Extra-long twin bedding and mattress cover, towels, mini fridge/microwave (rentable via Bedloft), flexible lamp, UL-listed extension cords and LCDI surge protectors, cleaning supplies, hangers yourself; Burning candles and open flames, incense, halogen lights and lamps, salt lamps, wax warmers, electric open-coil heaters and appliances with exposed burners, hot plates, toaster ovens, air fryers, crockpots, full-size refrigerators, personal air conditioners (unless approved by IU Housing for a medical need), bed risers of any kind, pets other than fish/crustaceans in an aquarium of 10 gallons or less (service and emotional-support animals require prior approval), hoverboards and motorized scooters, non-UL-approved or non-12-14-gauge extension cords, portable washers/dryers/dishwashers, weapons, drones isn't allowed. The full day-to-day breakdown above covers the room, the building, and move-in day in more depth.

Still weighing this hall against others? Our guide on how to pick a dorm covers what actually matters, or see Indiana University Bloomington’s other halls below.

More Indiana University Bloomington halls

Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.

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Forest Dorm Checklist 2026

Living in Forest: what to know before you pack

The room

Day to day

Move-in day

See dorm rooms styled

Everything for your Forest room

Bedding

Fan — optional

Bathroom

Personal Care & Grooming

Self-Care Essentials

Storage & Organization

Closet Space-Savers

Tech & Power

Laundry

Desk & Study

Health & Safety

Comfort & Room

Kitchen & Dining

Misc Essentials

Move-In Day Gear

Forest FAQ

Thinking About Living in Forest Next Year?

More Indiana University Bloomington halls