We’re emerging from the pandemic, but students arriving for the annual fall Move-In must comply with COVID-19 precautions like masking to avoid tempting fate. Photo by Cydney Scott

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Move-In 2021: What You Need to Know

Students must be vaccinated to register for campus arrival

COVID-19’s shadow over University life is fading, making this fall’s Move-In, from August 25 through September 1, more typical than last year’s, which was spread out over two weeks to allow for adequate social distancing. But while full in-person instruction is resuming fall semester, Terriers must still observe safety precautions, starting with scheduling their arrival.

Only fully vaccinated students, or those with approved religious or medical exemptions, will have access to the BU Housing Portal to schedule their move onto campus. (Scheduling runs until noon on Tuesday, August 24.) BU is among the many schools requiring students to be vaccinated.

Other protocols, modeled on those used successfully for Move-In last fall and spring:

• Students will reserve not just specific dates to move in, but also choose either a morning (8 am to noon) or afternoon  (1 to 5 pm) shift. 
• On arrival, students should go to their designated check-in location. They will pick up their keys there, and new students will receive their Terrier ID cards. Terrier cards are necessary for the next step…
• All students must get a COVID-19 test on their Move-In day (and weekly thereafter). Test sites are at 808 Commonwealth Avenue and at the Agganis Arena Lobby. Students will be asked to limit contacts with others until they receive a negative test result, even if they’re already fully vaccinated.
• Students will be allowed up to two helpers for unloading their belongings. No other family members may enter the residence halls. 
• Students and helpers must wear masks during Move-In. Adherence is vital, given the large numbers of people moving in.
• Students will need to show their online green badges to enter residences, dining halls, and FitRec during Move-In and throughout the fall semester.

The University also has made provision for about 1,800 students anticipated before the August 25 formal Move-In start, among them 471 First Year Student Outreach Project (FYSOP) students, international students, athletes, resident assistants, essential student employees, and members of various clubs and groups.

The University will consider extention of the vaccination deadline for unvaccinated international students and those facing extenuating travel circumstances, to allow them additional time to receive their vaccine and attend BU-sponsored, Moderna vaccine clinics scheduled during Move-In. Those students’ requests for early arrival will be processed by BU Housing. Early arrivals who are on a meal plan will receive meals at Marciano Commons before the opening of various campus dining halls: Monday, August 23, for West Campus, Wednesday, August 25, for Warren Towers, and Friday, September 2, for Granby Commons. 

The BU Police Department’s traffic flow arrangements will “pretty much be a mirror to last year,” says Anastasios Giannopoulos, BUPD patrol commander. During regular Move-In, the department will station officers along Babcock Street, Bay State Road, Warren Towers, Student Village II, 10 Buick Street, Myles Standish Hall, and the Buswell Street/Park Drive area, he says. 

Previous years’ street closings won’t be necessary this year (they weren’t in fall 2020 either), because of “the structure of the comeback,” with two daily Move-In shifts, Giannopoulos says. Historically, more students arrive during afternoons than mornings, a pattern he expects will be repeated this year: “A lot of people who are commuting, they’ll leave, say, New York, New Jersey, in the morning at 7 and make it to campus after noon.”

Note: Matriculation will be held on Sunday, August 29, so the BU Bridge will be closed intermittently between 12:45 and 1:45 pm for this year’s Matriculation procession.

Those arriving August 25 and 26 will need to factor in Boston Red Sox home games (the Sox are hosting the Twins both nights, with games starting at 7:10 pm). The good news is that the team will be playing far enough away (Cleveland and Tampa) for the remainder of Move-In, so Fenway fans won’t be adding to traffic congestion.

Parents and students who have had their arrival date and time approved will get free parking in BU lots—students should navigate to the Fall Move-In page and download their temporary Move-In parking permit, “which will allow them to open the parking lot gates and park in approved lots,” says Peter Smokowski, vice president for auxiliary services.

During Move-In, the BU Shuttle will operate its weekday summer service schedule on its 1BU route between the Charles River and Medical Campuses. Saturday daytime service along that route will remain unchanged; a Commonwealth Avenue Loop route will be added for Charles River Campus travel on Sunday, August 29. Late night service will begin on Saturday, August 28.

Full academic-year shuttle service will begin on Thursday, September 2, along the 1BU, Comm Ave Loop, and Fenway routes.