Bloomsburg University
Bloomsburg sits on a hillside above the Susquehanna in central Pennsylvania — a spirited public-university town where the Huskies pack the stands. Winters here mean it, so you’re packing for a warm, humid move-in and the cold, snowy stretch that follows.
What to wear in Bloomsburg, month by month
This region runs from a humid late summer to a hard winter in about ten weeks. The mistake out-of-region families make is packing the whole year in August.
| Move-in (Aug) | 75–86°F | Warm, humid days over the Susquehanna, cooler nights. Tees, shorts, a fan. |
| Sept–Oct | 48–70°F | Crisp mountain-valley fall with real foliage. Sweaters and a jacket. |
| Nov–Dec | 30–46°F | Gray and cold, early snow in the hills. A real coat, hat, gloves. |
| Jan–Feb | 20–36°F | Full central-PA winter, wind off the river. Heavy coat, snow boots, thermals. |
| Mar–May | 44–68°F | A slow, muddy thaw into a green spring. Layers and a rain shell. |
What Bloomsburg University lets you bring
- A MicroFridge (mini fridge + microwave combo) is issued in every room
- All six traditional halls now have A/C, added in renovations between 2013 and 2018
- Twin XL bedding (confirm your specific hall)
- UL/ETL power strip with a built-in circuit breaker — not a bare extension cord
- Damage-free wall hangings like Command strips — no nails or screws
- Low-draw LED desk and task lamps
- A fan, a reusable water bottle, and UL-listed electronics
- Open-coil / open-flame cooking: toasters, toaster ovens, air fryers, hot plates, electric grills, sandwich makers
- Candles, incense, wax warmers, and anything with an open flame
- Halogen lamps
- Extension cords without a breaker; outlet splitters and multi-plug adapters
- Space heaters and personal A/C units (unless your school provides/approves them)
- Hoverboards, e-scooters, e-bikes, and other e-mobility devices
- Weapons of any kind — including decorative — and fireworks
- A second microwave or personal fridge — the issued MicroFridge is the only one allowed
- Candles and incense
- Halogen lamps and power strips without a built-in surge protector
- Pressure cookers and other high-pressure steam cookers
- Natural cut trees and holiday garland
These come from Bloomsburg University's official housing pages and cover the essentials plus the genuinely local rules. Double-check the current official guidance before you buy — policies and renovations change every year.
Getting your room at Bloomsburg University
- 01March (fall admits)
Get the welcome notice
Commonwealth University emails new fall admits a "Welcome to On-Campus Living" notice, which unlocks your account in MyHousing Self-Service.
- 02After the welcome notice
Complete the housing agreement — no deposit required
Log into MyHousing and submit the online housing agreement, a personal-information/roommate questionnaire, and your dining plan choice. Unusually, Bloomsburg doesn't charge new students a separate housing deposit — completing the agreement is the commitment.
- 03Spring
The university places you
New students don't select a room or hall. Housing & Residence Life matches roommates from your questionnaire answers and assigns a bed in one of the traditional halls (or a Learning Community) based on that fit.
- 04July 1
Assignments post in MyHousing
Fall housing and roommate assignments go live in MyHousing Self-Service beginning July 1, with hall, room number, and roommate contact info.
- 05Before move-in
Read the Move-In Day newsletter
The welcome packet includes a Move-In Day newsletter, a move-in time-slot schedule, and the Guide to Campus Living. Check MyHousing again close to arrival — Learning Community or athletics placements can still shift an assignment.
Where you'll live at Bloomsburg University
First-year residence halls
New students don't pick their hall — Housing & Residence Life places you based on a roommate-matching questionnaire you fill out in MyHousing Self-Service, and posts the result starting July 1. Nearly everyone first-year lands in one of six traditional, community-style halls on Upper Campus, all doubles, all renovated with in-room A/C over the last decade or so. The newer suite-style Soltz Hall exists, but it's mostly reserved for upperclassmen and students with documented housing needs.
The biggest first-year hall by far at 621 residents across nine stories — renovated in 2013 with new furniture and individually controlled A/C in every room. It's also a 12-month hall, so some residents stay through breaks.
376 students across nine floors, with A/C added campus-wide in the 2017–18 renovation. Card-access, elevators, and a study lounge on every floor — a straightforward, central first-year building.
235 residents in a four-floor hall that got A/C and a refreshed entryway in its 2018 update. It's attached to the Eileen G. Jones Honors College, which got its own renovation in 2023–24.
The smallest and most recently reworked of the six, at 186 residents — a 2005 renovation added ADA-accessible rooms and updated bathrooms. Its second floor is one of the campus's coed/gender-inclusive housing options.
248 residents in a four-story hall dating to 1964 (it was West Hall until the 1970 dorm-renaming). Home to the campus Women's Resource Center on the ground floor.
The Bloomsburg University move-in checklist
The “Shop” links are Amazon affiliate links — a purchase may earn AllDorms a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Bedding6
Bath5
Laundry4
Storage & organization6
Desk & study4
Electronics6
Cleaning5
Kitchen — within the rules5
Health & meds4
Clothing — see the seasonal guide7
Move-in day go-bag5
Bloomsburg logistics, sorted
How to send mail to a Bloomsburg student
Room [Room #], [Residence Hall]
525 East Second Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Roongo, and Pennsylvania's only "town"
The Fair takes over town every September
Bloomsburg & around
Downtown Main Street
A few blocks of Bloomsburg's Main Street — Bloomin' Bagels, Fourth Taco, the Bloomsburg Diner, and a handful of other locally run spots, an easy walk from the residence halls.
Knoebels Amusement Resort
A free-admission, family-owned amusement park in Elysburg — wooden coasters, an old-school arcade, and a go-to day trip all four years.
Ricketts Glen State Park
More than 20 named waterfalls along a network of hiking trails — one of the best fall-foliage hikes in the state, and a short enough drive for a Saturday.
Susquehanna Riverfront
The river campus overlooks — paths for walking or running along the bank, and a put-in for paddling when the water's up.
Where to stay near Bloomsburg University
The Inn, Farmhouse & Brewing Co. at Turkey Hill
~1 mile from campusA restored farmhouse inn just off I-80 with its own brewing co. — the closest sit-down option to campus, and it books out early for move-in and Family Weekend.
Comfort Suites Bloomsburg
~2 miles from campusA straightforward chain hotel on the edge of town — suites, breakfast, and a reliable fallback once the smaller inns are full.
Hampton Inn Bloomsburg
~2 miles from campusAnother dependable chain option just off the interstate, a few minutes' drive from campus.
Bloomsburg University gear & gifts
Bloomsburg University — links & contacts
- Housing & Residence Life – Bloomsburg: housingBL@commonwealthu.edu
- General information: 800-287-7543