Packing for College

All rooms are furnished with mattress/frame, desk, chair, closet or wardrobe, shower curtains, dresser (part of wardrobe for spaces with a wardrobe), wall-to-wall carpet (tile in the Glen Complex), MicroFridge, XIFINITY On Campus Streaming Service, and Internet access. Furniture dimensions can be found here. We encourage you to bring only the essentials when you move in. It's also a good idea to contact your roommates to find out what they plan to bring. The following list will help you pack:

Bedding 

• Pillow and pillowcases 
• Comforter, sheets, blankets 
• All beds are XL Twin (80 inch x 36 inch) except Barnes Hall and Marshall which have full sized beds 
• Mattress cover or foam topper 
• Bath towels and washcloths 

KITCHEN SUPPLIES 

• Microwavable dishes and containers 
• Cups and mugs 
• Silverware 
• Single-cup coffee maker*  

ELECTRONICS 

• Alarm clock 
• UL-approved power strip with circuit breaker 
• Television* and Roku device. Towson offers streaming cable through Xfinity which can be accessed via internet, app, and Roku instead of traditional COAX cable.  
• Laptop and accessories (charger, headphones, webcam, etc.). Using a wired connection is always faster than using Wi-Fi. Ask Technology Support Desk how to borrow a cable or adapter for the semester.
• Printer*  
• Wireless printers are prohibited. If bringing a wireless printer, please make sure it's one that can be used with a USB cord. Printers are available throughout campus. 

HEALTH AND HYGIENE 

• Personal toiletries 
• Bathroom cleaning supplies. Communal bathrooms are serviced by the university's cleaning services
• Shower caddy 
• Hand soap 
• Tissues and toilet paper* 
• Toothbrush and toothpaste 
• Hair dryer 
• First-aid kit and medicine as necessary 

LAUNDRY AND CLEANING 

• HE Laundry detergent and dryer sheets 
• Laundry bag or collapsible hamper 
• Organization items: Hangers, storage drawers, closet organizer 
• Waste basket 
• Cleaning wipes and other cleaning supplies* 
• Hand soap and hand sanitizers 

MISCELLANEOUS 

• School supplies: pens, pencils, paper, markers, staplers, scissors, backpack   
• Air freshener 
• Decorative Items and Command strips 
• Umbrella 
• Desk or floor lamp* 
• One Card or Form of ID 
• Mirror* 

*We recommend you contact your roommate prior to move in to coordinate shared items. 

DO NOT BRING 

The following items in the categories below are prohibited on campus.

Electrical Items 

• Any electrical item that are not UL-Listed 
• Extension cords, only UL-approved power strips with circuit breakers 
• Electric blankets or space heaters
• Halogen light bulbs (tubular) in torchier-style halogen lamps (unless the bulbs are 300 watts or less and meet UL revised performance standards) 
• Lava lamps, strobe lights, and fog machines
• Air fresheners with built-in outlets (without outlets allowed)
• Outlet adapters and splitters
• Multiple strands of decorative lights (single strand allowed if plugged directly into wall outlet)
• Air conditioners (both window and portable units), evaporative coolers, heating/cooling pads 

Combustibles 

• Candles (even when not lit) 
• Incense 
• Scented oil burners
• Explosives (fireworks, firecrackers, sparklers, smoke devices) and other incendiary devices
• Flammable materials (charcoal, propane, gasoline)
• Banners, flags, nets, holiday lighting, cable wire, and hangers installed in such a way as to interfere with the operation of any fire safety equipment (i.e. sprinkler heads or smoke detectors). No items may be installed on/suspended from the ceilings. 

Weapons 

• Firearms, ammunition, gun powder, black powder
• BB, airsoft, pellet, or paintball guns
• Archery equipment
• Pocket knives, knives in a sheath, spears, swords, souvenir weapons, replica firearms, and martial arts weapons. Any knife not used for cooking
• Pepper spray and mace
• Stun guns and Tasers
• Expandable batons or impact weapons
• Any weapon not listed 

Paraphernalia 

• Alcohol - if under the age of 21 (quantities) 
• Marijuana and other illegal drugs
• Tables and/or devices for playing drinking games
• Paraphernalia used to consume alcohol (shot glasses, funnels, party/beer balls, coolers)
• Drug paraphernalia used for drug use (pipes, grinders, one hitters, bowls)
• Any smoking devices or paraphernalia, including but not limited to, pipes, bongs, vaporizers, electronic cigarettes, Juuls, and hookahs  

Appliances 

• No refrigerators or microwaves  
• Appliances with exposed heating elements
• Hot plates
• Toasters
• Toaster ovens and convection ovens 
• Deep fryers 
• Outdoor grilling appliances 
• Butane and butane torch lighters 
• Immersion coils 
• Rice cookers

Miscellaneous 

• Live pumpkins and trees 
• Non-university mattresses, lofts, or water beds 
• Liquid or gel drain clog chemicals 
• Stolen property (TU or city street signs)
• Drums, percussion, subwoofers, and electrical instruments
• Nails/tacks
• "Removable" wallpaper or wall decals (they do not remove as easy as promised and damage the paint on the wall)
• Bicycles (not allowed in halls or rooms, only on outside racks or storage facilities)
• Pets (except for fish, fish tanks cannot be larger than 10 gallons and may not have electrical equipment) and approved service/comfort animals are allowed)
• 3-D printers capable of producing any of the prohibited items 
• Self-propelled movement devices and other similar devices (hoverboards, Segway scooters, self-balancing scooters, battery-operated scooters)
• Drones
• Cinder blocks and bed risers
• Upholstered furniture, padded, cushioned or beanbag chairs not certified by documentation from the manufacturer as flame retardant.
• Signs, posters, lights, or decorations on the exterior of buildings or attached to windowpanes unless TU spirit and affixed to the window surface. 

This list is subject to change.