Packing and Shipping

All residence halls come with the following:

• card access and room entry locks
• fire detection and sprinkler systems
• wireless internet
• electrical outlets
• card-operated laundry
• window shades or blinds

All student spaces come with:

• extra-long (80") twin bed and mattress
• closet or wardrobe
• bureau
• work desk and chair
• ceiling light
• wastebasket
• 1 microfridge/microwave unit, shared with all room occupants

For more information about living on campus, visit Residence Life. For specific packing guidance for international students, visit our International Student Information page. 

You should bring the following:

• sheets for an extra-long (80") twin-size mattress
• mattress pad
• blankets/comforter
• towels
• pillow and pillowcases
• desk/work lamp (no halogen bulbs)
• art and general school supplies

You might also consider bringing:

• an area rug
• a laundry bag
• flip flops/shower sandals
• a shower caddy
• a fan
• posters and other decorations (but you may only cover up to 30% of your wall space)
• plants
• power strips
• other items that make you feel at home

Do not bring:

• a water bed
• a loft unit
• a large refrigerator (3 cubic feet or more); only one fridge per room
• pets (except fish in 10-gallon tanks or smaller)
• candles/incense
• halogen or "lava" lamps
• cooking appliances (toaster, microwave, anything with a heating coil, etc.); a coffee maker is ok
• curtains or large tapestry/wall hangings
• paper lanterns
• weapons of any kind
• acetylene/propane torches, oil lamps or any open-flame devices
• space heaters
• air conditioners
• any ceiling hangings
   

Upon arrival, all first-year students are issued a tool box that includes the following items:

• 16-foot metric/inch tape measure
• 6 3/4" coping saw
• 6-1/2" coping saw blade
• 8" slip joint pliers
• 8" long nose pliers
• 7" diagonal pliers
• six-way screwdriver
• 12" combination square
• drill bit set
• 16 oz claw hammer
• Olfa BN-l knife
• Olfa LB-5B blades
• Ryobi compact saw
• dust mask
• safety glasses

For required software, or to see if your laptop or computer is capable of utilizing software needed for your courses, visit RISD’s Laptop Loan program from Media Resources.

Some faculty members may send out lists of additional supplies prior to the first day of classes. Generally, any additional supplies needed are available on or close to campus.

In the case where a student would like to send items to RISD to ease move-in stressors, they may send their items to a local UPS location and retrieve the packages on move-in day. For full details about this program, please see the mailing instructions for new students. 

• Incoming students will receive their mailbox number on August 4.
• RISD accepts deliveries from the following carriers:USPS,UPS,FedEx, Amazon, and DHL.
• Campus mail is best reserved for shipping non-fragile, non-perishable, and securely packaged items in boxes that are not damaged.
• Packages should be no larger than 24x24x24 inches, and lighter than 70 pounds.
• Shipping labels should be easy to read and securely attached to the package.
• Students are encouraged to keep all tracking information related to orders and shipments.