Harrisonburg, VA · On-campus housing required for all first-years
Paul Jennings Hall Dorm Checklist 2026
James Madison University
Traditional doubles, POD-style shared bathrooms (~498 residents)
- Bed SizeTwin XL, 36"x80", adjustable loft bed frame
- Under-BedLoft bed, 5"-55" clearance
- ACYes
- On-CampusRequired (all first-year students must live in university residence halls for both fall and spring; JMU does not publish a first-year on-campus percentage. Exceptions may be made for students commuting daily from within 60 miles of a parent's or guardian's permanent address, students 21 or older, students with prior active duty military service, and students who are married or have a dependent minor living with them.)
✓ In the room
✗ Not provided
⊘ Prohibited
- Floors 4-5 house upperclass and transfer students, not exclusively first-years.
Living in Paul Jennings Hall: what to know before you pack
The room
Paul Jennings Hall, opened in 2019 and named for Paul Jennings, a man enslaved by the Madison family who later bought his freedom and wrote the first White House memoir, is JMU's newest large first-year hall with about 498 residents on five floors. Rooms are traditional-style doubles with LVT flooring and drywall, a standard desk with three drawers, a desk chair, a free-standing wardrobe instead of a built-in closet, a 3-drawer dresser, and the adjustable loft bed frame with 5 to 55 inches of clearance (Twin XL mattress, 36" x 80"). Bathrooms are POD-style -- smaller shared pods rather than one long hall bathroom -- which many students find offers more privacy than traditional hall bathrooms. Paul Jennings sits in JMU's Category D rate tier, which Residence Life defines as air-conditioned and built or renovated since 2019.
Day to day
Floors 1-3 of Paul Jennings are reserved for first-year students, while floors 4-5 house upperclass and transfer students (with upperclass and transfer students housed on floor 3 if needed), so incoming freshmen share the building but not every floor with returning students. The hall sits on East Campus along University Boulevard in the Skyline area, close to Chandler, Chesapeake, and Shenandoah halls. Central air conditioning is standard. Personal microwaves and air fryers are prohibited in rooms -- only a MicroFridge combo rented through JMU's partnership is permitted -- and the free-standing wardrobe setup gives residents a bit more flexibility for room layout than built-in closets. Paul Jennings is one of the halls whose laundry room uses the Speed Queen app or quarters rather than JACard.
Move-in day
Paul Jennings residents move in during the same Fall 2026 first-year window as the rest of campus, Friday, August 21 through Saturday, August 22, with appointments running 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and selected August 3-12 once assignments post by July 31. Its University Boulevard location means move-in traffic is directed through the Skyline area, and the building has an elevator. Because closets here are free-standing wardrobes rather than built-in, students should double check furniture dimensions before bringing bulky over-the-door organizers. Upperclass and transfer move-in runs August 23-24, with classes starting Wednesday, August 26.
Room ideas
See The Raised Bed styled
The frame goes up, and the floor underneath comes back as storage.
Styled render — not a photo of Paul Jennings Hall.
Everything for your Paul Jennings Hall room
The complete James Madison University packing list, tuned to Paul Jennings Hall — best picks flagged, anything the room already includes pulled out, and every item shoppable. Affiliate links; live Amazon prices where available, may vary.
121 items across 15 categories
Email me this checklist
We’ll also send the 2–3 things worth knowing before move-in day.
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Bedding
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⭐ Top pickTwin XL fitted sheet × 2Compare picks →Most dorm mattresses are 80" long — standard twin won't fitPaul Jennings Hall beds are Twin XL, 36"x80", adjustable loft bed frame — 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 throwPaul Jennings Hall's AC runs cold at night — pack a warm layer.
Waterproof 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
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⭐ Top pickSmall desk fan (optional)Compare picks →AC is available but many students still bring one for air circulation or white noise.Paul Jennings Hall is air-conditioned, so a fan is comfort, not survival.
Bathroom
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⭐ 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
⭐ Top pickHand soapOnly if your room has its own sink — communal bathrooms stock their own
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 paper (2-ply)One of the most commonly forgotten items. Suite / private-bathroom halls only — communal-bath dorms stock it for you (check the “In every room” list above)
Personal Care & Grooming
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Hair dryer (compact)Not provided — you'll want your own for the walk back from a communal bathroom
Hair straightener or curling iron
Hair claw clips (variety pack)
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
Self-Care Essentials
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Sleepytime herbal tea, vanilla (20-pack)Caffeine-free — a wind-down ritual beats scrolling before bed
Face mask sheets (12-pack)Finals-week pick-me-up when you don't have time for a real self-care routine
Comfort-snack variety box (40-pack)A sealed care-package box for the week you don't want to leave the room
Everyday makeup kit (e.l.f.)Primer, mascara, lip gloss, brow gel — a basic kit, not a full vanity
Storage & Organization
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⭐ Top pickUnder-bed storage bins or drawersCompare picks →Check your hall's under-bed clearance on the hall checklist page before buyingPaul Jennings Hall beds have Loft bed, 5"-55" clearance 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
Stackable desk drawer organizer
Closet Space-Savers
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⭐ 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
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⭐ 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
⭐ Top pickAA + AAA batteries (48-pack)For the alarm clock, the remote, the clip fan, and the battery string lights many halls allow where plug-in ones are banned
⭐ 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
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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
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⭐ Top pickDesk lamp (LED)Compare picks →Not provided in most halls — check your school's provided list above- Pencil cup / organizer
⭐ 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
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Basic first aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, medical tape)
Ibuprofen / acetaminophen
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
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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.
⭐ Top pickBed 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
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Dorm dinnerware set (microwave-safe)Microwave- and dishwasher-safe plates, bowls, and cups so you're not eating ramen out of the pot
Divided microwave meal-prep plates with vented lidsPortioned, vented-lid plates for reheating and storing dining-hall leftovers or meal-prepped food — BPA-free, stackable, microwave- and dishwasher-safe
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
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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)
⭐ Top pickTrash bags (4 gallon, drawstring)Dorm bins are 4 gallons — 13-gallon kitchen bags swim in them
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
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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 Aug 19, 2026
Paul Jennings Hall FAQ
- What bathroom style does Paul Jennings use?
- POD-style shared bathrooms -- smaller shared pods rather than one long hall bathroom.
- Are all Paul Jennings floors first-year?
- No -- floors 1-3 are first-year; floors 4-5 house upperclass and transfer students, and floor 3 can be used for them if needed.
- Does Paul Jennings have a built-in closet?
- No, rooms use a free-standing wardrobe instead of a built-in closet, plus a 3-drawer dresser.
- When was Paul Jennings Hall built?
- It opened in 2019, making it JMU's newest large first-year hall.
- Is Paul Jennings Hall a good hall to live in?
- That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Paul Jennings Hall has Twin XL, 36"x80", adjustable loft bed frame beds with Loft bed, 5"-55" clearance of under-bed storage, and is fully air conditioned. James Madison University provides bed frame with Twin XL mattress, standard desk with 3 drawers, desk chair, free-standing wardrobe, 3-drawer dresser, wired/wireless internet in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Paul Jennings Hall stacks up against James Madison University's other halls above.
Thinking About Living in Paul Jennings Hall Next Year?
If you're choosing housing for next year rather than packing for move-in, here's what's already verified about Paul Jennings Hall: it has Twin XL, 36"x80", adjustable loft bed frame beds with Loft bed, 5"-55" clearance of under-bed clearance, and the room is air conditioned. On top of that, the room comes with bed frame with Twin XL mattress, standard desk with 3 drawers, desk chair, free-standing wardrobe, 3-drawer dresser, wired/wireless internet; you'll need to bring bed linens, towels, storage bins, in-room microwave yourself; candles/open flame, space heaters, hot plates, microwaves and air fryers, personal AC units, wireless routers, extension cords, duct tape on walls 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 James Madison University’s other halls below.
More James Madison University halls
Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.