Spring Cleaning Tips Before You Move-Out!

Hi everyone, it's Rei! It's already May, which means that the end of the semester and the academic year is just around the corner. We can't wait for summer break, but before that, there is one thing that need to get done especially for on-campus residents - Move-Out! This is my third year living on campus, and every year it is stressful to move out after all the final exams or final project, when my body is already exhausted. In order to achieve a smooth and stress-free move out this year, we should prepare ahead of time! A little preparation in advance will help make your life a little easier in a month's time, and I will share some information and tips about move-out! 

Step 1: Return

A first step to packing and moving is returning items back to your friends and the proper campus locations. 

• Dining Utensils and Dishes - Return to The Commons dishroom or in the drop off bin located in the first flor lobby of your residential hall. 
• Library Books - Drop these off at the bin in your residential hall, Center of DJS, Mordvet Library circulation desk or in the return bin outside the front doors. 

Step2: Donate

PLU Waste Diversion encourage students, when able, to donate items that may otherwise be sent to the landfill. During Move Out, gently used items for donation can be placed in the bins located in the first floor lobby of your residence hall. Once collected from students, these items will be sorted and delivered to SurPLUs and NW Furniture Bank for redistribution. One thing we need to make sure before we donate something is to check what is accepted and what is NOT accepted. Feel free to click the list I attached to the left and get prepare for the donation! 

Step 3: Recycle

"Much of our waste on campus is able to be recycled, and thus diverted away from the landfill. However, knowing that and how to recycle ensures that your efforts don't go to waste." - PLU Waste Diversion During Move Out (May 19th-June 1st), upper floor Recycle Rooms and fenced corals will be locked. Make sure you take all CLEAN, DRY, and EMPTY items for recycling to the first floor Recycle Room! When your items are not able to be donated or recycled, they must go to the landfill. During Move Out, 4 large dumpsters are brought to centralize our landfill collection. Landfill dumpsters open Friday morning May 19th! 

Step 4: Make full use of PLU Storage Room!

Especially for international students who are living away from their home country, it is always hard to find a place to store your belongings until the next academic year. You might don't know what to do with this situation that you don't want to throw away everything, and you don't want to bring everything back to your home country either. No worries! PLU offers Storage Room for all students during summer. You can store your belongings that you would use next year as well in the storage rooms that are in each residence halls. However, there are some guidelines that we have to follow, so I will introduce some of the important ones!

 

Rules and Regulations:

• Storage space is on a first come serve basis
• Students in possession of a fall housing assignment at the end of the academic year, must store their items in the hall they will be assigned for fall term
• No access will be granted to storage during the summer
• Items MUST be contained in a box, not to exceed 24 x 18 x 24
• 4 boxes/items per student is the maximum allowed 
• Luggage and Refrigerators will be permitted if labeled properly

In order to make appointment for the date you would store your stuff, I would recommend you to ask/email your RA to make sure the specific process that you will need to follow. For more information about the storage room policy, please visit this link! 

Move Out can be stressful and I know it's extra hard and time-consuming for international students, but I hope this information help you to get ready for the Move Out. If you need help for carrying your belongings and moving them to the next assigned residence hall, or if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to your RA, friends, or us, International Student Center, and we are more than happy to help you! 

-Rei