Baker University's Baldwin City campus, Kansas' first four-year university since 1858, is anchored by Parmenter Hall, whose construction received a $100 donation from sitting President Abraham Lincoln, reportedly his only such gift to any university, with freshmen required to live on campus in halls including Gessner and Irwin.
Enrollment
1,264
Total Students
Freshman Class
316
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 14-15, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
93%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
All new students attend an orientation session before their first semester. Students who attend the Friday, August 14 session move into their residence hall that afternoon after orientation, and other new students move in on Saturday, August 15. These dates follow Baker's standing move-in pattern and should be confirmed with the Office of Residential Admissions.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time - your exact move-in date is shown above in the Overview.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- New students move in on Friday, August 14 after orientation, or on Saturday, August 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. Fall athletes arrive earlier in August, and returning students move in the Tuesday before classes.
- Check-in location
- Move-in starts at the Harter Union half-moon circle. It's a drive-through queue: enter from Sixth Street, turn west onto Dearborn Street, and stay in your car until you're directed.
- Parking
- A free parking permit is required if your vehicle will stay on campus, so order it before you arrive. Dearborn Street is one-way, east to west, on all move-in days.
- What you'll receive
- Bring a waterproof mattress pad, linens, and cleaning supplies. A microwave (up to 1.5 cubic feet) and mini refrigerator (up to 3.7 cubic feet) are allowed.
- Vehicle restrictions
- Vehicles kept on campus need the free parking permit. Dearborn Street is one-way during move-in.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
- Photo coming soon
Gessner Hall
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Irwin Hall
Traditional · Coed
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to Baker University's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 14, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
$12,000
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
Nearby data coming soon.
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at Baker University.
Share
Send this page to a roommate, a parent, or anyone else helping plan the move.