Loyola Chicago Freshman Dorms 2026

What to bring to Loyola Chicagodorms — and what’s already there

Every LUCfreshman hall includes the same base furnishings. Skip anything already in your room, pack what’s missing, and leave the banned items at home.

⚠ First- and second-year students must live on campus with a meal plan for four semesters; exemptions are limited to living with parents or legal guardians in the greater Chicago area, marriage or civil union, documented financial burden, medical disability that cannot be accommodated on campus, or turning 21 before the term starts.

⚠ A lost room key triggers a mandatory $300 lock-change fee, and a lockout key not returned within 7 days triggers the same $300 charge.

⚠ Any appliance exceeding 800 watts is banned in the first-year traditional halls, along with hot plates, toaster ovens, deep fat fryers, and electric or kerosene heaters; microwaves must be under 800 watts and mini-fridges 4.2 cubic feet or smaller, one per room.

⚠ Personal window or portable air conditioning units are prohibited — Residence Life's move-in list states that all rooms already have air conditioning.

⚠ Adhesive strips (3M Command strips) and LED adhesive light strips are on Loyola's do-not-bring list: only blue painter's tape may be used on walls, and marks left by other adhesives are billed as damage at checkout.

See the full LUC packing checklist →

Common questions about Loyola Chicago dorms

What size are the beds in Loyola's residence halls?

Every first-year hall uses Twin XL mattresses. Residence Life explicitly does not provide a linen service, so bring or order Twin XL sheets, a mattress pad, and a comforter separately.

Can I bring a mini-fridge or microwave?

Yes in the traditional and suite-style first-year halls: a mini-fridge smaller than 4.2 cubic feet and a microwave under 800 watts, one of each per room, so coordinate with your roommate. Apartment-style buildings provide a full-size refrigerator and you may not bring a mini-fridge there.

Is on-campus housing required for freshmen at Loyola Chicago?

Yes. Loyola requires all full-time first- and second-year students to live in university housing with a meal plan, typically four semesters. Exemptions are limited to four published categories: living with parents or legal guardians in the greater Chicago area, marriage or civil union, financial burden, medical disability that cannot be accommodated on campus, or being 21 or older before the term begins.

When do first-year students move in for fall 2026?

First-year halls move in across August 16-18, 2026, and the day depends on your building: de Nobili and St. Joseph's are August 16 only, Francis splits across August 16-17, San Francisco and Simpson across August 17-18, and Mertz across all three days. Residence Life says students in a building with multiple move-in dates get their assigned date in late June, and the First Year Students timeline lists the final assignment with move-in date and time going out in late July — check both.

Can I choose my own roommate?

Yes. First-year students can submit a mutual roommate request over the summer, typically until mid-July, provided both students are assigned to the same building and room type and, if applicable, the same Learning Community. Non-mutual requests and requests to change building or room type are not honored.