Packing for OSU-Cascades

As you prepare to move to Oregon State University - Cascades, take a look at these guidelines for what you'll need in your residence hall room.

  • We recommend that you work with your roommate(s) or suitemate(s) to coordinate who will bring certain shared items.
  • Keep in mind that space is limited and many of the items listed below are optional or may be obtained in Bend after you arrive.
  • Before you shop, take a look at what's provided in the residence hall.

You can always check our policy guide for additional information or contact us with specific questions.

 

What to Bring

 
Necessary Items

Bedding & Bath 

  • Sheets (all beds have extra-long twin mattresses)
  • Comforter, blankets, and pillows
  • Towels (bath, hand, washcloth)
  • Flip-flops/shower shoes and robe

Laundry & Cleaning

  • Laundry basket or hamper
  • HE laundry detergent (we have High Efficiency washers)
  • Hangers
  • Cleaning supplies, such as disinfectant, glass cleaner, a duster or hand vacuum, and broom with dust pan
  • Bathroom cleaning supplies, such as gloves, shower and toilet cleaner and a toilet brush

Personal Supplies

  • Clothing and shoes fit for Central Oregon seasonal climate
  • Toiletries
  • Tissues
  • Personal prescription medications
  • First aid kit basics (bandages, aspirin or non-prescription pain reliever, cold or allergy medicine, thermometer)

Supplemental Health and Safety Items 

  • Face coverings that you can wear daily to class and around town. You may want to have multiple face coverings to keep them clean daily. 
  • Thermometer
  • Personal hand sanitizer
  • Cleaning products to regularly wipe down surfaces in your room and bathrooms
  • Basic kitchen supplies if you intend to cook on your own. We will not be able to loan out any common use kitchen items. 
 
Suggested Items

Room supplies

  • Mattress topper (feather bed/memory foam/egg crate topper)
  • Decorations, such as posters and pictures from home (may be mounted using methods that don't damage walls, such as painter's tape or command strips)
  • Desk lamp (non halogen-bulbs only)
  • Shoe rack/closet organizer
  • Dry erase board/cork board (and dry erase markers or pushpins)

Kitchen supplies

  • Water bottle and reusable mug or thermos
  • A few dishes (bowl, plate, silverware)
  • Pot/pan/cooking utensils for use in shared hall kitchens 
  • Non-perishable snacks

Study supplies

  • Computer and mouse
  • Printer (wireless printers are not allowed; shared printers are available at the Computer Lab in Tykeson Hall)
  • Ethernet cable
  • Thumb drive/external hard drive
  • Desk organizers
  • Paper/pens/pencils, notebooks
  • Planner or calendar

Other

  • Flashlight
  • Fan
  • Earplugs

 

What to Leave Behind (Prohibited items)

  • Please exercise good judgement when deciding what items to bring to the residence hall. All items need to meet the following criteria to be permitted within the residence halls:
    • All items should be in good working order. Any damaged or altered items are prohibited.
    • All appliances should be UL listed and have an automatic shutoff.
    • No exposed heat source.
    • No open flame (this includes candles).
    • Any appliance that produces steam, smoke, or grease laden vapors is prohibited.  Clothes irons and electric kettles used to boil water are the only exceptions.
    • Any device with light bulbs that generate excessive heat is prohibited (including halogen bulbs and/or incandescent bulbs that exceed 60 watts).
    • Any device that would exceed the electrical load is prohibited.
    • Devices must not interfere with OSU’s wireless or network infrastructure. 
    • Any approved cooking appliance must be attended at all times.

 

  • The following items are never approved in the residence halls:
    • Air conditioners, barbecues and grills, electric fryers, electric grills and sandwich makers/presses, electric woks, extension cords, fog, smoke, and haze machines, gasoline, electric, or hybrid powered scooters, hookahs, hookah smoking accessories, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, hot plates, microwaves (unless combination microwave/refrigerator unit provided by an approved vendor or microwave provided by OSU-Cascades), portable space heaters, and wireless network routers and wireless access points.
    • If you have a special need for an exception, please talk to Residential Education and Housing staff, who can guide you through the process.

 

  • Exceptions
    • Coffee Makers - As long as your coffee maker doesn’t use a warming plate to keep the coffee warm, you can use it in your room.
    • Toasters and toaster ovens - All toasters and toaster ovens may be stored and used in the community kitchen or in-suite kitchens within the apartments after talking to Residential Education and Housing staff.
    • Clothes irons, curling irons, hot curlers and flat irons - These items are permitted as long as they are used according to manufacturer’s instructions.
    • Power strips or a plug multiplier - Power strips and plug multipliers must have built in circuit breaker to be permitted within the residence halls.

 

If the use of your item poses a health or safety concern, causes a disruption to the community, causes property damage or property loss, regardless of whether the item is approved, you may be subject to disciplinary action and associated costs or sanctions. 

 

Appliances (Allowed items)

Residential Education and Housing does allow some appliances in residence hall rooms and suites. It is an expectation that all appliances are undamaged and have no alterations. Misuse of appliances may result in loss of privileges and conduct action.

  • Microwaves. All halls have shared microwaves available for use, usually on each residential floor. Microwaves are only allowed in rooms if the appliance is part of a microwave/refrigerator combination unit. Residents may purchase a microwave/refrigerator combination unit if they meet the following criteria: uses one-plug technology, is UL-listed, and is not kept in confined areas.
  • Refrigerators. All halls have shared, full-sized refrigerators available for use. Refrigerators that are not part of a microwave/refrigerator combination unit are allowed, as long as they meet the following criteria: Energy Star rated, draw 11 amps or less, and are 3.1 cubic feet or less. We strongly recommend that residents only have one refrigerator per room, due to load limitations on our building’s electrical system. Contact your roommate to determine who will bring shared items/appliances.
  • Coffee makers/Keurig machines: Coffee makers and Keurigs are allowed as long as they do not use a warming plate to keep the coffee warm.
  • Cooking appliances. Residents may not cook food in their room.  Heating water, using a microwave, or brewing coffee is allowed provided the fire detection system is not activated. Rice cookers, toaster ovens, and slow cookers may be stored in rooms and used in hall kitchens. They must be UL-listed, have a three-prong cord, have an automatic shut-off and a built in thermal safety fuse.
  • Power strips: power strips and plug multipliers must have a built-in circuit breaker to be permitted within the residence halls.
  • Fans: must be UL-listed. 
  • Televisions: Allowed as long as they are not wall-mounted. Rooms do not have cable TV connections. 
  • Lighting: Lamps with halogen bulbs are not allowed; incandescent, LED and fluorescent OK). Decorative LED lights are allowed as long as they do not violate manufacturer guidelines.
  • Clothes irons: must be UL-listed, have a double-insulated three-prong cord, and have an automatic shut-off.
  • Hair straighteners, curling irons: must be UL listed, have a double-insulated, three-prong cord, and have an automatic shut-off.

*  Reminder:  Residents may not cook food in their room. Heating water or brewing coffee is allowed provided the fire detection system is not activated. Activation of the fire system, such as a smoke detector, even if on accident may result in disciplinary action by the university and the Bend Fire Department.  For safety purposes, the smoke detectors are sensitive. 

For further information about items that are allowed or prohibited in the residence hall, see the Policy Guide, or contact us with specific questions.