Shopping for your residence hall is a really fun and exciting time! There are items that you can bring and there are items that you can't.
Check out our lists below. It is important to know that if items on our prohibited items list are brought to campus whether on purpose or by mistake (things happen!), they are subject to be confiscated.
What To Bring
- Clothes and Shoes
- Formal dress clothes for convocation, career fairs, formal events, organization inductions, etc.
- Cold weather clothing, including a winter jacket, boots, gloves, and a beanie
- Bedding and Pillow
- Polytechnic Apartments- Full sheets
- All other Residence Halls- Twin XL sheets
- Toiletries Including:
- Hygiene products
- Bath towels
- Shower caddy
- Flip Flops
- Laundry Products
- Detergent
- Dryer Sheets
- Hamper
- Desk Lamp
- Book Bag and School Supplies
- Headphones/earbuds with a microphone
- Power strips
- Must be approved by a current Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and comply with NFPA 70 and UL 1363. Must have grounding, overcurrent protection, and a visible reset switch/button.
- Computer or laptop
- Cell phone and charging cords
- Thermometer and medications (prescription and over the counter)
- Fan
- Umbrella and/or rain jacket
- Small garbage bin
- Reusable water bottle
- Your Favorite Snacks
- Refrigerator and Microwave (consider leasing with our preferred vendor!)
- Food and coffee maker
- Dishes, Cups, and utensils (at most bring one of each)
- Broom and/or vacuum
- TV (smart or with streaming device), game consoles
- Games, hobby items, and extra books
- Bicycles, sports equipment, and other items for fun outside
- Decorations (photos, etc.) that are easily removable with mounting strips or tape
- Iron and ironing board (if you are not ironing now, you are probably not going to start)
- Fragile or valuable items not essential to study
- Printer (there is one in most buildings)
- Area Rugs
- Organization sets for your desk
Prohibited Items
- Portable Air Conditioners
- Space Heaters
- Electric Blankets
- Toasters (unless stored/used in kitchen)
- Refrigerators larger than 6.0 cubic feet
- 3D Printers
- Hot Plates
- Crock Pots
- George Foreman Grills
- Rice Cookers
- Electric Skillets
- Hibachis, charcoal, and gas/propane grills
- Any appliance that is not Underwriters' Laboratory approved
- Any appliance without a thermostat/automatic shut-off
- Candles, Incense, Scented Lamps, and any Open Flame Devices
- Hibachis, Charcoal, and Gas/Propane Grills
- Live Trees
- Incendiary or Toxic Chemicals
- Fireworks
- Plug-In String and Strip Lights (Battery Power Allowed)
- Sun Lamps, Halogen Lamps, and Halogen Light Bulbs
- Kerosene, Gasoline, Butane, or other Flammable Liquids
- Hover Boards
- E-Bikes and Scooters
- Pets (Except fish with a 10 gallon tank size limit)
- Firearms including:
- Antique Guns
- Explosives
- Ammunition
- Starting Pistols
- Paintball Equipment
- Air Rifles
- BB Pellets
- Dart Guns
- Torches
- Stun Guns
- Swords and Knives Larger than 3 inches
- Extension Cords/Multi-Taps
- Power Strips that Do Not Have:
- Non-Moveable Part
- A Visible Reset
- Grounding
- Overcurrent Protection
Personal Property Insurance
RPI is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage to personal property. We recommend that each student obtain an insurance policy to cover such losses.