Move-Out / Checkout

For Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Return

All halls and houses close December 10, 2024, at noon. Detailed info will be emailed to all students, and you can find basic information below.

Fall Checkout - All Students


All students – regardless of when you leave campus housing for the fall semester – will need to:

  1. Schedule a checkout appointment via the MyHousing/Dining portal.  
  2. On your checkout date, click the Checkout button.

The portal opens November 15 to schedule an appointment and checkout appointments will be available December 3 – December 10. (Your residence hall or house closes December 10 at noon.)

Please schedule your appointment as soon as possible starting November 15 and no later than November 30. If you plan to check out before December 3, please email Campus Housing at housing@cofc.edu with your requested date.

To make your fall checkout appointment and then check out:

  • Log into MyPortaland click on the MyHousing/Dining portal. In the portal, click on the Book Appointments (Graduating seniors will be redirected to the Graduating Senior Form.)
  • Select the date you plan to leave campus for the semester.

To check out the day of your appointment:

  • On your checkout date, log into MyPortal and click on the MyHousing/Dining portal.
  • In the portal, click the Checkout button and follow the prompts. 

Specifics for Your Spring Housing Plans


As stated above, all students must sign up for fall checkout. Additional information/steps relating to your spring housing plans can be found below. Make sure you read through SPRING RETURN, if applicable, once you’ve reviewed the section pertaining to your plans.
  • Returning to your space in the spring

    Your hall or house closes December 10 at noon, and you are required to vacate by that time. There are a few things you’re required to do before you leave:

    • Ensure that your room and any common areas are clean and free of all trash.
    • Make sure that all perishable food is removed from your refrigerator and suite.
    • Set your thermostat (if applicable) to 72 degrees, unplug any unused electrical items (lamps, printers, etc.), shut and lock all windows, turn off lights, and lock your bedroom and suite doors.
    Residence Life and Campus Housing will inspect rooms after checkout to ensure that spaces are clean and trash-free. Since you are returning to the same space for the spring, you do not need to move out your belongings or return your room key. 

    If you have a vacant space in your bedroom, make sure all your personal belongings are only stored on your side of the room and that any furniture for the second resident has been returned to the appropriate side of the room. Any belongings left on your roommate’s side of the room will be discarded. It’s unlikely you’ll know whether you’re getting a new roommate before leaving for the semester, so please ensure your room is clean and ready before you leave. 

    Finally, please make an appointment for your spring return.
  • requesting to move to another space

    To request a room change for the spring, log into MyPortal and click on the MyHousing/Dining portal. In the portal, click on the Requests tab and select Room Change Request. Your request must be submitted by November 30, 2024, at 5 p.m. Campus Housing will process all room change requests as soon as possible, and we will do our best to accommodate those requests based on space availability.

    If you are approved to move to a new room for the spring, you are required to fully vacate your current room by December 10 at noon. 

    • All your items must be removed from your current space before leaving for break. Please do not move any items into your new space without written permission from Campus Housing. If you have questions about storing items over break, please contact Campus Housing. Please note our space is very limited and will be reserved for extreme circumstances. Any items left in your room will be discarded.
    • You need to leave your current room clean and free of trash.
    • Room keys may be returned to the express checkout box located at your residence hall (generally in the lobby) or on the porch of the Campus Services/Campus Housing office (to your left at the top of the stairs) located at 40 Coming Street behind the Stern Center. If you have lost your key, please order a new one through the MyHousing/Dining portal as soon as possible.
    Residence Life and Campus Housing will inspect rooms after checkout to ensure spaces are clean and free of trash.

    Finally, please make an appointment for your spring return.
  • transferring, withdrawing or otherwise not returning (except grads)

    Since you will not return to the College of Charleston in the spring, you must request a housing cancellation. As a reminder, the Housing Contract is for the full academic year except for qualifying events like study abroad or withdrawal, for example. (Please refer to your Housing Contract for more information.) 

    To request a cancellation, log into MyPortal and click on the MyHousing/Dining portal. In the portal, click on the Requests tab in the blue banner and select Housing Cancellation Request. Your request must be submitted by November 30, 2024, at 5 p.m. Campus Housing will verify your information and process your cancellation request if approved. 

    If you are granted a housing cancellation for spring, you are required to fully vacate your current room by December 10 at noon. (Graduating seniors, please read below.)

    • All your items must be removed from your space before you leave for break. Any items left in your room will be discarded.
    • You need to leave your room clean and free of trash.
    • Room keys may be returned to the express checkout box located at your residence hall (generally in the lobby) or on the porch of the Campus Services/Campus Housing office (to your left at the top of the stairs) located at 40 Coming Street behind the Stern Center. If you have lost your key, please order a new one through the MyHousing/Dining portal as soon as possible.
  • Graduating Seniors

    You must fill out the Graduating Senior Form in the MyHousing/Dining portal to schedule your checkout appointment. Just follow the Fall Checkout instructions above to access the form – only students who have applied to graduate will be able to see it. You may request an extension to stay on campus until noon on December 15, 2024. Campus Housing will verify your eligibility to graduate and then send you a follow-up email. If you request an extension, depending on where you currently live, we may have to relocate you to a new room on December 10.

  • need to apply for an extension for Winter Break housing

    Students who require on-campus housing at any point between December 10 and January 5 must apply for an extension. Extensions will be limited, and granted to students who are homeless, international or have other extenuating circumstances that require them to live on campus for some or all of Winter Break. If granted an extension, you may be required to move to a different residence hall during your stay over break.

    To request an extension, log into MyPortal and click on the MyHousing/Dining portal. In the portal, click on Requests and then the Winter Break Extension Requests tab in the blue banner. Your request must be received by November 30, 2025, at 5 p.m. You will receive a decision no later than December 5.

    If you are returning next semester, please make an appointment for your spring return.

Spring Return


We’re looking forward to seeing you back in the spring. You will need to register in advance for a check-in appointment, which will be good for the entire day. Time slots will be available between January 5 and 10 for all residence halls.

Please note: You will sign up for your spring 2025 check-in time through the same Appointments section you use for your fall checkout, and you may sign up for your spring time slot at the same time. Just make sure you complete your fall appointment section before moving onto spring. We’ll follow up with additional check-in information as we get closer to the spring.

Summary of Important Dates


11/4: Room change requests for spring 2024 open

11/15: MyHousing/Dining portal opens to sign up for fall checkout day and spring check-in day; apply for Winter Break housing extension, if applicable

11/30: Deadline for spring housing cancellation requests, spring room change requests, checkout and check in appointments, and Winter Break housing extension request

12/10: (Noon) Your residence hall closes

01/05: (Noon) Residence halls begin reopening for spring semester