What to Bring & Leave Behind

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, and broom with dust pan (Vacuums are available for checkout at the desk)
  • 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, non-prescription pain reliever, cold or allergy medicine, thermometer)
  • Cleaning products to regularly wipe down surfaces in your room and bathrooms

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
  • Headphones
  • 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 hall:
    • Air conditioners, barbecues and grills, electric fryers, electric grills and sandwich makers/presses, electric woks, fog, smoke, and haze machines, gasoline, electric, or hybrid powered scooters, hookahs, hookah smoking accessories, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, hot plates, personal microwaves (unless combination microwave/refrigerator unit provided by an approved vendor), 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.

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.

  • Refrigerators. All halls have shared, full-sized refrigerators available for use. Minifridges 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 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: Box fans are provided in each residence hall rooms. Additonal fans are allowed if 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.Appliances 

  • Toasters and toaster ovens - Toasters and toaster ovens are permitted if stored and used in the community kitchen or in-suite kitchens within the apartments.

  • 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.

*  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.