To
First-Year Parents
From
Kenyon R. Bonner, Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer

Dear New UVA Families:

Move-In for new students is fast approaching, and I’m writing with a few quick reminders, which I hope you find helpful, as well as information on important events taking place during the move-in period.

My name is Kenyon Bonner and I serve as the Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer at UVA. Joining me in leading the division is Nicole Hall, our Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. We are both looking forward to getting to know and partner with all of our exceptional students this year. We are especially excited to welcome your new students joining us next week.

We are grateful you and your student have chosen UVA. This is a special time for your family, and we are honored to be part of it. My wife and I have launched four children into college life – including our youngest who is a rising second-year this fall at UVA, part of the class of 2029!

All of us in Student Affairs are excited to meet our new Hoos this year and welcome them and their families to Grounds!

PRESIDENT'S WELCOME

Please join us in person or virtually for this special event.

Grounds for Conversation
A Fireside Chat featuring
President Scott Beardsley & Vice President Kenyon Bonner

Thursday, August 20, 4-5 p.m.
Old Cabell Hall
Join Livestream

GENERAL MOVE-IN TIPS: FOR ALL ARRIVALS

Main Resource: The Housing & Residence (HRL) Life website is the best source of information about living on-Grounds – or go directly to move-in information at the Move-In 2026 website. If you don’t find an answer to your question online, contact:

Arrival and Unloading: Follow the instructions for your student’s residence hall on Parking and Transportation’s move-in page. Students should proceed to their room, using their UVA ID for access, and family members are welcome to join them.

Long-Term Parking: Once you’ve unloaded your vehicle, you will need to move your car to a long-term parking area. Please see P&T's move-in page for more information.

UVA Transit will operate bus service from Copeley Road (near John Paul Jones Arena). UVA Transit drivers can assist students and families returning to first-year residence areas from long-term parking areas.

Residence Hall Meetings: Students must attend a welcome meeting on the day their building has move-in appointments. This meeting will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. for students moving in on Thursday, and from 5-6:30 p.m. for students moving in on Friday. Students arriving on a different day should check in with their Resident Advisor (RA) when they arrive.

Safety: From the first day on Grounds, it's important for students to practice good safety habits. When moving into a new residence hall (or apartment), students should not leave personal items unattended or doors unlocked. Please help us reinforce smart safety with your student.

TIPS FOR AUGUST 20 & 21

Arrival and Unloading: Parking and Transportation will have staff near many of the first-year residence halls on August 20 and 21 to help direct students and families.

Please note, unloading close to residence halls is only available during your scheduled move-in appointment time.  You will be able to pull up your car in line relatively close to your building, unload, and then continue to longer-term parking (see above). The driver needs to stay with the vehicle at all times.

Greeters: Dressed in blue T-shirts, Greeters will help unpack your car and carry items into the residence halls. A limited number of large, wheeled moving bins will be available for use in many areas as well. Resident Advisors (RAs) and other members of the Resident Staff will be on hand at the residence halls, and University officials will be circulating throughout Grounds to provide help and answer questions.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW

Dining Options: Several dining locations on Grounds will be open during Move-In for your convenience. On August 20 and 21, UVA Dine staff will be on hand at welcome tents offering free goodies. Please see the UVA Dine website for details about locations and hours of operation.

Police Assistance: The University Police Department (UPD) will be set up on August 20 and 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Gilmer Hall to provide assistance. Students can register their bicycles or scooters at those times or they can use the online registration form.

Saturday Evening Student Events: Students will be busy each day with activities after they move in. Of special note, Saturday evening will include a free student concert at John Paul Jones Arena (doors open at 6 p.m.). Following the concert, students can head to the Aquatic & Fitness Center for the Hoos Home welcome event featuring free food trucks, music, crafts, and games from 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Many other activities throughout August and September, all part of  Wahoo Welcome, will help your student make new friends, learn about the University, and adjust to academic life.

Sending Mail to Your Student: Use the Mailing Address Finder to make sure letters and those very welcomed care packages get to your student properly. You can learn more on the Mail Services website about sending mail to students living on Grounds

Deposits to Cav Cash: Once deposits are made to your student’s Cav Cash account, they can easily use their UVA ID to pay for laundry, printing, vending and other incidentals. 

  • You can add funds online at the Cav Cash website or by phone, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., by calling 434-982-5735.
  • Online transactions require a $12 minimum deposit (which includes a $2 processing fee); cash deposits can be made on Grounds at the Cavalier Card office. 
  • Go to the Cav Cash website to learn more.

Dean Hall and I look forward to your arrival, and we wish you well as you prepare for this transition in the life of your student and your family. Please call on us if we can help in any way.

Safe travels – and see you next week!

Kenyon R. Bonner,
Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer