University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMove-In Guide
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
🏫 Public UniversityEst. 1956🔗 uwm.edu
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's lakefront campus, formed in 1956 through the merger of two separate institutions, centers on Mitchell Hall, its oldest building since 1909, with most first-year students housed in Sandburg Hall, the campus's dominant residence hall with nearly 4,400 beds.
Enrollment
22,937
Total Students
Freshman Class
4,611
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 27-30, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
87%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Move-in is staggered throughout the week at Sandburg Hall, UWM's largest residence hall, to avoid overcrowding in parking garages and elevators - arrival times at Cambridge Commons, Riverview, and Kenilworth Square Apartments are similarly spread out. First-year students are encouraged, though not required, to live on campus. Housing contracts open in spring and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. UWM Chancellor Thomas Gibson personally helps out, greeting students and families for the first hour and a half of move-in at Sandburg Hall. Students moving in travel from as far away as Alaska, and University Housing residents represent 27 different countries.
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
- Check-in location
- Sandburg Hall, UWM's largest residence hall, has its own dedicated check-in station.
- Parking
- Cambridge Commons and RiverView are both about six minutes south of the main campus - a free UWM shuttle service connects these halls to campus for residents.
- What you'll receive
- Your PantherCard, your campus ID for building access, dining, library services, and other student perks across campus.
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
Sandburg Hall
Suite-style · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Cambridge Commons
Suite-style · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Kenilworth Square Apartments
Apartment-style · Coed
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
New Student Orientation & Advising (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 24 - August 27, 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
$10,500
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- Walmart1.4 miles
- Walgreens1.7 miles
- Target3.5 miles
- CVS Pharmacy5 miles
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 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
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