Once You're Here

Welcome, we're so glad you made it! Now that you've arrived to campus, there are a few things we'd like to prepare you with so you know what to expect on New Student Move-In Day: Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

Print 2023 Move-In Instructions, Maps and NSO Parking Pass (PDF)

(Students: If you are unable to access the packet via Google Drive, please log into the Approaching Stanford Canvas course and download the PDF.)

Directions to your Housing Service Center

Download the Stanford Mobile app and use the "Map" feature to familiarize yourself with the Stanford campus. Look for your Housing Service Center and residence name on the searchable campus map or on the 2023 Stanford NSO Move-In map.

Arriving at the Residences

Checking In

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Go to your Housing Service Center’s outdoor check-in location to pick up your room key and SUID card. Be ready to show a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. If you have already been issued a SUID card, be sure to bring it, as a new card will not be printed. 

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Check-in will be moved inside your Housing Service Center.

All students should be checked in by 5:00 p.m. Required NSO programs will begin this evening with Convocation followed by the First Student Dinner and House Meeting

Moving In

After checking in at your Housing Service Center, head over to your residence to locate your room and move in. Scan your SUID card at the entrance of your residence for entry. (Remember to always carry your SUID card with you when you leave your residence.) While a few dorms have elevators, most do not. Be sure that you are able to carry the items you pack. If you have large items, handtrucks may be available to borrow at your Housing Service Center. 

At your dorm, your residence leaders will greet you and give you your NSO packet with your NSO nametag, schedule, and other important information. Please wear your nametag for the duration of NSO.

Dining

Your NSO meal plan will begin on September 19. See dining.stanford.edu for open dining halls and hours. At each meal, you will need to scan your SUID card. 

Complimentary lunch in the dining halls is available for your guests on Move-In Day.

After Moving In

Use A Student’s Guide to Stanford map to orient yourself to our beautiful campus. Familiarize yourself with the Stanford Mobile app, which includes campus eateries, all-gender restrooms, shuttle service, and more. We invite students and families to attend the following NSO signature events on this day:

• 133rd Opening Convocation Ceremony: 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Frost Amphitheater
• Residence Welcome
• Community Welcomes, Open Houses, and Family Welcome Center
• NSO Dinner with the Provost (families only): 6:45-8:15 p.m. at Arrillaga Center for Sports & Recreation. If tickets remain, they can be purchased online.

The conclusion of Convocation is the traditional time for students and families to say their goodbyes. Students will be occupied with required NSO programs for the remained of the week.

Campus Parking for Move-In Day

If you will be driving to campus with family members, print and display the NSO Arrival Day Parking Pass in your car on September 19.

Upon arrival, first park your car in the nearest residential parking lot or garage, and the walk over to your Housing Service Center to check in. Temporary parking in the lots while checking in is permitted. Please do not park your car temporarily at the curb to check in. 

After checking in and locating your room, return to your car to move in. Families may temporarily park cars for active unloading to the curb near the student residences. Please stay with your car. All parking regulations will continue to be enforced. You must not park in front of fire hydrants, FDC pipes, or barricades, cones, caution tape, or other signage indicating that parking is not allowed. Citations may be issued to parked cars blocking these emergency access areas.

After unloading your car, immediately move your vehicle to the Galvez Parking Lot located at 294 Galvez St - the corner of Galvez St and Campus Dr, west of the Stanford Stadium. Ample free all-day parking is available with this pass on September 19 in the Galvez Lot, which is close to the venues for Convocation and Dinner with the Provost, where many families will end their day. Free NSO shuttle buses will reun approximately every 15-30 minutes from the Galvez Lot back to the residences.

If you prefer to park all-day in a residential lot, you may purchase a residential NSO parking permit online for $5.45. 

Please be sure to lock your vehicle. Do not leave any valuables or visible bags/suitcases in your car.

Campus Parking After Move-In Day

First-Year Parking Policy: Per University policy, first-year students are not allowed to have cars on campus in their first year and cannot purchase a parking permit. There are many programs and resources at Stanford that support students’ transportation needs including the Frosh Emergency Ride Home Program. For more information, visit Transportation Options for New Students and register in advance for the Frosh Emergency Ride Home Program.

Transfer Student Parking: Transfer students who intend to keep a car on campus after NSO must purchase a parking permit after they have arrived to campus.