Columbia, SC · SEC Flagship in the Capital City
Bates House Dorm Checklist 2026
University of South Carolina
Double room, community bath one per floor per wing
- Bed SizeTwin XL · 80" mattress
- Under-BedLoftable, max height 33 in
- ACPartial
- On-CampusRequired
✓ In the room
✗ Not provided
⊘ Prohibited
- DIY loft kits are permitted here, but you must keep at least 30 inches between the top of the mattress and the lowest point of the ceiling including sprinkler heads and light fixtures; USC does not endorse, inspect, or certify student-built kits and assumes no liability for injury.
- Air conditioning is not itemized for this building on USC's official pages. USC's mold-prevention page refers to fan coil units in student rooms, so rooms appear to be conditioned, but confirm current HVAC status with Residence Life.
Living in Bates House: what to know before you pack
The room
Bates House rooms are traditional doubles, 11'6" x 15'6" with 121-inch ceilings and 42" x 77" windows that do not open. Each side gets an extra-long twin bed (USC lists the mattress as 80 inches; the frame is 38" wide x 85" long x 36" tall, with a maximum bed height of 33 inches -- USC publishes no minimum height for this hall), plus a desk, a dresser, and one closet per student measuring 25" deep x 44" wide x 108" tall. Because Bates House is on USC's approved lofting list, students can add a DIY loft kit as long as the 30-inch ceiling and sprinkler clearance is maintained. Every room also comes with a complimentary combo microwave/fridge -- USC's own page notes there is no rental to arrange here, which is unusual among USC's first-year halls.
Day to day
Bathrooms are community-style, one per floor in each wing, cleaned daily on weekdays. Kitchens are on floors 2 through 10 of the C-wing. On laundry, USC's own Bates page contradicts itself: the facilities list says first floor of the C-wing while the in-depth section says the basement, so check on arrival -- either way it is complimentary and app-monitored. USC Housing lists no dining location inside the building, so residents walk to nearby campus dining. Bates also houses the Gamecock Gateway and Gamecock Pathways bridge programs alongside general first-year residents, which brings in-building academic support not found in most other halls.
Move-in day
Bates House sits at 1423 Whaley Street and is one of ten halls USC anticipates will have limited Friday, August 14, 2026 slots, in addition to the general Saturday, August 15 day. Families should reserve a 30-minute arrival slot through the Housing Portal in advance; reservation emails go out mid-July and slots can be adjusted through July 31. The building has shuttle and campus bus access nearby, but check current signage for the closest short-term unloading zone since it is a high-traffic first-year building on move-in weekend.
Room ideas
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Everything for your Bates House room
AC is hit-or-miss in Bates House — pack a fan just in case. The complete University of South Carolina packing list, tuned to Bates House — best picks flagged, anything the room already includes pulled out, and every item shoppable. Affiliate links; live Amazon prices where available, may vary.
120 items across 15 categories
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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 fitBates House beds are Twin XL · 80" mattress — 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 throw
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 — check your assignment
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⭐ Top pickTower fan or desk fanCompare picks →AC varies by hall. Bring one — it's cheap insurance until you know your assignment.Bates House is only partially AC'd — check your room assignment before skipping it.
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 buyingBates House beds have Loftable, max height 33 in 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 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
Bates House FAQ
- Can I loft my bed in Bates House?
- Yes -- USC's Lofting Kit Procedure lists Bates House among the buildings where lofts and bed risers are allowed. You must maintain 30 inches of clearance between the top of the mattress and the lowest point of the ceiling including sprinkler heads, the kit must be free-standing and made of non-combustible or fire-treated material, and the university assumes no liability for injury from student-built lofts.
- Do I need to bring my own fridge and microwave to Bates House?
- No. USC's Bates House room page states the microfridge comes in the room and there is no rental to arrange -- it is listed as a complimentary amenity. That is different from most other USC first-year halls, where you rent one.
- Is Bates House air conditioned?
- USC does not list AC status on its Bates House pages. Its mold-prevention page does describe housing staff checking fan coil units inside student rooms, which points to rooms being mechanically conditioned. Confirm current HVAC status directly with Residence Life before move-in.
- Is there a dining hall in Bates House?
- USC Housing's current Bates House page says there are no dining locations within the building, so plan on nearby campus dining. Note that sc.edu's older Gamecock Gateway housing page still references a 'Bates Diner' inside the building -- Housing's own hall page is the more current of the two.
- Is Bates House a good hall to live in?
- That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Bates House has Twin XL · 80" mattress beds with Loftable, max height 33 in of under-bed storage, and is only partially air conditioned. University of South Carolina provides Complimentary combo microwave/fridge (microfridge) in every room, computer lab and study lounge, study areas on each floor and the main floor, Student Success Center satellite office in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Bates House stacks up against University of South Carolina's other halls above.
Thinking About Living in Bates House Next Year?
If you're choosing housing for next year rather than packing for move-in, here's what's already verified about Bates House: it has Twin XL · 80" mattress beds with Loftable, max height 33 in of under-bed clearance, and AC is only partial in this building — some rooms have it, some don't. On top of that, the room comes with Complimentary combo microwave/fridge (microfridge) in every room, computer lab and study lounge, study areas on each floor and the main floor, Student Success Center satellite office; you'll need to bring Standalone mini fridge, bedding, shower curtain, cleaning supplies yourself; Standalone mini fridges, space heaters, candles/incense, loft kits not meeting the 30in ceiling/sprinkler clearance, risers over 8in on an already-lofted bed 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 University of South Carolina’s other halls below.
More University of South Carolina halls
Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.