• Rich Barlow

    Senior Writer

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    Rich Barlow is a senior writer at BU Today and Bostonia magazine. Perhaps the only native of Trenton, N.J., who will volunteer his birthplace without police interrogation, he graduated from Dartmouth College, spent 20 years as a small-town newspaper reporter, and is a former Boston Globe religion columnist, book reviewer, and occasional op-ed contributor. Profile

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There are 90 comments on The Ins and Outs of Move-in 2017

  1. Hello Rebecca,

    You can unload in the front of the building and then park in the Langsam Garage directly behind the building.

    Marc Robillard
    Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

      1. Thank you for your question Gisel. Go directly to 575 Commonwealth Avenue. There is parking all around and beneath the building.

        Enjoy!

        Marc Robillard
        Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  2. You should include a severe warning that trucks should never go onto Storrow Drive for any reason, at any time! Every year, there are at least a few U-Hauls and moving vans that are destroyed when they hit the very low clearance bridges. With more people relying on apps to tell them which way to go and suggesting alternative routes, the drivers really need to stick to the main roads, even if traffic is heavy.

        1. Move in parking is being accommodate in the C-2 Lot which is a surface lot next to the Agganis Arena Garage. The C-2 Lot is being reserved exclusively for move in purposes therefore no need to worry about the clearance.

          Timothy Dunn
          Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

  3. If I were to take a taxi to the Warren towers, where should I tell the taxi to park so that I can unload all my stuff and proceed to move in? Any help would be appreciated.

    1. Hi Filipe,
      Have the taxi take you directly to 700 Commonwealth Avenue. The BU Police officers will direct the driver to a safe spot to unload. These safe spots are usually on Hinsdale or Cummington Streets which are the side streets directly adjacent to Warren Towers.

      All the best,

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

    2. Hello,

      Please direct the driver to 700 Commonwealth Avenue. The driver will then be able to pull into the garage located under Warren Towers by taking a right on to Hinsdale Street (Starbucks on the corner) and the garage attendant will direct the driver to the third level of the garage to unload your belongings. The taxi will then be able to depart the garage after you have unloaded.

      Timothy Dun
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

    1. Hi Dael,

      Check-in begins at 10 a.m. not 8 or 9 ish. Wednesday will be a very busy move-in day on campus, so an early arrival is not a bad idea even if you cannot officially check-in until 10.

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

    1. Hi Kimberly,

      A BU Police officer will be stationed at convergence of Beacon Street and Bay State Road. Simply let the officer know you are here for Move-In and the officer will allow the vehicle to proceed down Bay State.

      After unloading in front of the Towers, please proceed to park your vehicle in the CAS Lot, 240 Bay State Road.

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

    1. Hi Sarah,

      After unloading in front of your brownstone, please proceed to park your vehicle in the CAS Lot, 240 Bay State Road.

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

    1. Hi Colleen,

      Please park in the garage located under Warren Towers. You can access the garage by taking a right off of Commonwealth Avenue on to Hinsdale Street (Starbucks on the corner) and the garage attendant will direct you to the third level of the garage to unload your belongings. After unloading, you may then park your vehicle in the basement or first level of the garage.

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

    1. Hi Kristine,

      Parking meters are available for a fee along Beacon Street. You may also utilize marked Boston University Green or Orange parking spaces in the alleyway located behind 826 Beacon Street while unloading. Please be certain you are parking in the marked Green or Orange spaces as private parking spaces are located in this area as well. Any vehicle found illegally parking in a private parking space does run the risk of being towed.

      After unloading, please move your vehicle to the Warren Towers Garage, 700 Commonwealth Avenue if you need long term parking after unloading.

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

    1. Hi Faith,
      Yes anyone can check-in on Wednesday. However, Wednesday is an extremely busy day that I suggest that you avoid. Please note that the first residence dining room meal is breakfast on Saturday.

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  4. Hi Shari,
    You should pull up in front of Myles Standish Hall, 610 Beacon Street to check-in and unload. My friend Tim Dunn in Parking and Transportation Services is suggesting that you then park in the CAS lot located at 240 Bay State Road.

    All the best,

    Marc Robillard
    Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  5. Great news about a special move in shuttle. We are staying at 72 Bay State Rd and our daughter is moving into Rich. Do you have any more information on the shuttle? Where are the stops? Can we get on board with luggage etc.? How will they be marked?

    1. Hi Tara,

      Happy to help. Please send me an email at tpdunn@bu.edu and I can reply to you with a copy of the map and answer all of your above questions as well as any others that you may have.

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

    1. Hi Nicole,
      Yes, the doors at 39 Carlton St. open with a traditional key. Check-in is at the South Campus Area Office located at 518 Park Drive.

      All the best,
      Marc Robillard,
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

    1. Lori,

      No permit necessary before arrival. When you pull up to the garage, our lot attendant will issue you a placard for your vehicle.

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

  6. Hi. This article states that September 3rd move-in is morning time but the academic calendar reads continuing students are September 3rd noon to 5:30p. My daughter is a junior who will be living in student village. Thank you!

    1. Hi Angelica,
      Your daughter is welcome anytime after 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 3. I suggest avoiding the hours between 1 and 3 p.m. as the roads around the Student Village area may be closed for the Freshmen Matriculation walk.

      Sincerely,
      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

    1. Nicole,

      Please park at the Langsam Garage, 278 Babcock Street. The entrance to the garage is located on Gardner Street. Our staff members and BU Police will be on hand to direct you to the garage.

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

      1. Hi Chris,
        Check-in will begin at 9 a.m. at 33 Harry Agganis Way as well as all other student residences on campus.

        Marc Robillard
        Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

    1. Hi Carolyn,
      Check-in begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 2. Although this day is primarily a new student check-in day, we will not turn away any continuing student.

      All the best,
      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

    1. Hi Christine,

      Excellent question! You can us either regular or HE detergent. For HE use only a tablespoon of detergent, if you use regular detergent only a quarter of a cup is needed. People using pods should place the pod in the washer first and then add the clothes on top of the pod. This gives the pod a chance to dissolve.

      All the best,

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  7. Where do we unload the dorm stuff if student housing is in Claflin hall? I think we can drop the stuff and then go to Langsam Garage to park – is that right?

    1. Hi Lisa,

      Short term parking will be available at the parking meters purchased by the University in the area of Claflin on Babcock, Ashford, and Gardner Street to allow for short term parking to unload. You will then be able to move your vehicle to the Langsam Garage.

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

  8. Hi! First, thank you so much for providing this comment section! It is super helpful! :)
    My question is, if I’m moving my daughter into Sleeper, which of the 3 streets you mention above should I park on to unload before moving my car to the garage. Also, is there a time limit on how long we will be allowed to stay in the garage?
    Thank you!

    1. Hi Laurie,

      You are very welcome.

      The street you will be parking on will depend on how many other vehicles require parking during the time period that you arrive. BU Police and Residence Life staff will on Babcock Street to assist you and direct you to the most convenient location.

      You may stay in the Langsam Garage for as long as you need to but we typically ask, if possible, for vehicles to park in the garage in two hour increments and then move to the Agganis Arena Garage, 925 Commonwealth Avenue in order to allow other families to utilize the Langsam Garage.

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

    1. Hi Georgia C,

      Check-in at the residence is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. There is an Orientation event at 1 p.m. but the bulk of Orientation activities will begin on Thursday morning at the Agganis Arena. Ask your student to look at his/her Orientation schedule for details.

      All the best,

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  9. Thanks so much for this, this really has been helpful.

    We’ll be moving into the German house tomorrow, do we need to check in anywhere first before we start unloading? Someone else mentioned keys, are there keys that we need to pick up?

    Thank you.

    1. Hi Robert,
      Check-in for 209 Bay State Road (the German House) is at The Towers, 140 Bay State Road. Your student will pick-up his/her room key there.

      Be well,

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  10. How early can we pick up keys for bay state brownstones on Sunday for continuing students? Also, will mailboxes be open Sunday if students had deliveries arrive prior?

    1. Hello Annette,
      Check-in on Sunday is from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Yes, the mailrooms and package distribution rooms will be open.

      Have fun!

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  11. We will be bringing our sophomore to Danielson on Thursday. I don’t see it addressed on the map; what are the directives for drop off and parking there?
    Thanks.

    1. Hi Kate,
      Danielsen Hall is located at 512 Beacon Street. You will unload in front of the building. The staff will then direct you to long term parking if needed.

      All the best,

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  12. Hello,
    My daughter is moving into 1019 on Thursday morning. Where should we park our car and will we be needing any print outs or permits?
    Thank you!

    1. Good morning Julia,

      You can unload at the front entrance of the building on Babcock Street. You should then park in the Langsam Garage accessible via Gardner Street. The Langsam Garage is under the New Balance Field.

      Sincerely,

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

    1. Hi Todd,

      You should plan on unloading in front of the 722,726,728 Commonwealth Avenue block. The BU and Boston Police will direct you to available parking in the area.

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  13. Any word on if Montfort Street is going to be open to allow traffic to cross the BU bridge back to Cambridge? The roadwork in that area is causing major traffic jams around University Road, Comm Ave and the Bridge. Thanks!

    1. Hi Jane,
      Mountfort St. is open. I do agree with you that traffic is a problem in that area but Mountfort St. is open.

      All the best,

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

    1. Hi Heidi,

      The BU and Boston Police in the South Campus Area and on Buswell St. will direct you to a spot to safely unload. Making the street one-way allows for double parking for unloading purposes.

      Welcome back to BU!

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

    1. James,

      You can unload in front of StuVi2, 33 Haary Agganis Way, and you will then be directed by Residence Life staff members and BU Police officers to park in the Agganis Arena Garage. Move In parking is provided at no charge.

      Best,
      Tim

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

    1. Peter,

      Parking & Transportation Services provides one night of overnight parking at no charge to all Move-In guests. Please park overnight in the Warren Towers Garage, 700 Commonwealth Avenue.

      Best,
      Tim

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

  14. We are coming in on Thursday morning. I am moving in to Sleeper Hall. I plan to have Uber drop me off. Where should I have them drop me and my stuff off?
    Thanks for your Help!

    1. Hi Emily,

      Please use the address for Sleeper Hall, 275 Babcock Street. Residence Life and BU Police officers will direct the vehicle to the closest location where you can unload your belongings.

      Best,
      Tim

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

    1. Hi Lexi,

      Thank you for the question. The check-in for South Campus is at the South Campus Area office located at 518 Park Drive.

      All the best,

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  15. Just want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who is part of the student move-in process my student’s move in to StuVi yesterday was easy, smooth, very well organized and quick. There were lots of welcoming, helpful and well-informed people on hand, and there were many carts available. Thank you! Great job!!!

    1. Thank you for your comment. I’m glad your student had a pleasant move-in experience. We appreciate the feedback!

      -David Zamojski
      Assistant Dean of Students
      & Director of Residence Life

    1. Hi Sheila,

      Check-in locations vary for the Bay State Road residences. Double check the housing portal that lists your room assignment. This will tell you where to check-in.

      All the best,

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  16. My Son is a Sophomore and will be arriving after hours from Michigan to move into 481-483 Commonwealth Avenue…..he has been directed to get keys from the RA…just need to know if he will be okay….since this is after hours and he is traveling alone.

    1. Thank you for your message. Your son should go to Myles Standish Hall, 610 Beacon Street and contact the RA on duty at Myles. Myles is your son’s check-in site and the RAs will be more than happy to help him out.

      All the best,

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  17. Where do we park for 700 Commonwealth? We plan to arrive at about 12 pm this Saturday. What advice can you give as to what time to arrive there to avoid heavy traffic?

    1. Hi Jose,

      Please park in the garage located under Warren Towers. You can access the garage by taking a right off of Commonwealth Avenue on to Hinsdale Street (Starbucks on the corner) and the garage attendant will direct you to the third level of the garage to unload your belongings. After unloading, you may then park your vehicle in the basement or first level of the garage.

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

    1. Hi Vera,

      Yes, no charge parking will be available in the Agganis Arena Garage for parents attending Matriculation.

      Best,
      Tim

      Timothy Dunn
      Operations Manager, Parking & Transportation Services

  18. If a student is it feeling well today, an incoming freshmen, can you come tomorrow, and are the hours are limited and end at 12, or again if the student is not feeling well, should they just come up when they feel better. Who should we give notice to as well?

    1. Hi Cheryl,

      An entering freshmen may check-in tomorrow between the hours for 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. We would like all freshmen here by 12 noon so they can attended the Matriculation Ceremony. However we understand that circumstances change. Check-in will also occur on Monday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. if that is more convenient.

      I hope your student is feeling better soon.

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  19. So, sophomore son moving into Danielson on Sunday; read above about unloading in front and picking up his room key in Danielson. Where is the long term parking, as we will plan to spend a few hours with him before leaving town.
    Thanks!

    1. Hi Katy,

      The parking meters in and around Danielsen Hall are free on Sunday. If there are no metered spaces available you can go to the CAS Lot at 240 Bay State Road, or the lot at 575 Commonwealth Avenue.

      All the best,

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

  20. Hello. An earlier answer stated that parking for the matriculation ceremony will be available in the Agganis Arena’s garage. Given the size of the event, is the garage likely to fill up? If so, can you recommend an alternate?
    Thank you.

    1. Hi Jon,

      You should be OK with parking at the Agganis lot. Space will also be available in the Langsam lot on Gardner Street. Worst case park at Warren Towers, 700 Commonwealth Avenue and take the BU Shuttle Bus to the event.

      Marc Robillard
      Executive Director, Auxiliary Services

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