University of Michigan Freshman Dorms 2026

What to bring to University of Michigandorms — and what’s already there

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

⚠ Personal air conditioners are banned in Michigan Housing — you can't bring a window unit to any hall. Where there's no central AC, a fan is your only option (Housing installs a unit only with an approved medical accommodation).

⚠ Humidifiers and dehumidifiers of every kind are prohibited (electrical load + fire-alarm risk) — leave them home even for dry Michigan winters.

⚠ Personal refrigerators must be 5.5 cubic feet or smaller and under 1.5 amps, or they're turned away at move-in. Housing rents MicroFridge units (fridge + microwave in one) if you'd rather not buy.

See the full Michigan packing checklist →

Common questions about University of Michigan dorms

Which University of Michigan dorms have air conditioning?

Not all of them — and it's the single most important thing to check before you pack. The residence halls with central air conditioning are Mosher-Jordan, Stockwell, Couzens, and Alice Lloyd on the Hill, plus East Quad, West Quad, and North Quad on Central Campus. The ones WITHOUT central AC include South Quad, Mary Markley, and Bursley — three of the largest first-year halls. Michigan also bans personal window AC units in every hall, so if you land in a no-AC building your only real option is a fan (Housing installs a unit only with an approved medical accommodation). Ann Arbor stays warm through September, so pack a fan unless you've confirmed your hall is air-conditioned.

What size bed does the University of Michigan use?

Every Michigan residence hall room uses an extra-long twin mattress — 36 inches by 80 inches, also sold as "Twin XL" or "Extra-Long Twin." Standard twin sheets are cut for a 75-inch mattress and will pull off the corners, so buy bedding labeled Twin XL. The room furniture is modular and loftable: you can raise the bed and slide the desk or dresser underneath in one of several approved configurations, which is the single best way to create storage in a Michigan room. Set your loft height on move-in day before the boxes pile up.

Can I bring a mini-fridge or microwave to Michigan?

Yes, within limits. Michigan Housing doesn't provide a fridge or microwave, but you can bring a personal refrigerator as long as it's 5.5 cubic feet or smaller and draws under 1.5 amps — bigger units get turned away at move-in. If you want a microwave too, the simplest path is renting a MicroFridge (a combined refrigerator, freezer, and microwave) through Housing's vendor, since it's built to meet the electrical rules. Coordinate with your roommate so you don't end up with two fridges in one small room, and make sure anything you bring is UL-listed.

What's banned in University of Michigan dorms?

Michigan's fire-safety rules ban candles, incense, wax warmers and diffusers, burning sage, halogen lamps, space heaters, and cut trees or greenery. Two bans catch students off guard: personal air conditioners are prohibited in every hall, and humidifiers AND dehumidifiers of all types are banned because of the electrical load and fire-alarm sensitivity. Cooking appliances with heating coils or open heat — toasters, toaster ovens, hot plates — aren't allowed either, though an electric kettle or coffee maker with automatic shut-off is fine. Electric blankets and heating pads need automatic shut-off, and hoverboards and e-scooters can't be inside or charged in the building. Bring one UL-listed surge protector rather than plain extension cords, and don't daisy-chain power strips. String lights, notably, are allowed.

When is University of Michigan move-in for fall 2026?

Move-in happens the last week of August, ahead of the first day of classes on Monday, August 31, 2026. Students approved for an early-arrival program can move in as early as August 22–25, and general first-year move-in runs in the days right before classes, with a specific date and time slot you select through your housing portal. Take the assigned window seriously — arrivals are staggered to manage elevator and parking congestion, especially in the high-rise halls like Bursley and South Quad. Ann Arbor can be hot and humid in late August, so aim for an early slot and unload fast.