Delaware
Delaware is a friendly, walkable campus in Newark, close enough to Philly, Baltimore, and the shore to make weekends easy. The summers are humid and the winters are real but mild, and AC is named hall-by-hall — so check your building before you pack a fan.
What to wear in Newark, 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) | 80–90°F | Hot, humid mid-Atlantic summer. Summer clothes plus a fan (AC varies by hall). |
| Sept–Oct | 50s–70s | Pleasant, cooling, a nice fall. Sweaters, a light jacket. |
| November | 40s–50s | Cool, gray, occasional frost. A real jacket, a rain shell. |
| Dec–Feb | 30s–40s | Cold with some snow and ice; milder than the Midwest but real winter. Warm coat, water-resistant boots, gloves. |
| March | 40s–50s | Damp, slow thaw. |
What Delaware lets you bring
- UL/NRTL-certified appliances on a breaker power strip
- An energy-efficient small fridge, or a rented MicroFridge
- 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
- Personal A/C units (medical accommodation + an AC hall only)
- Nails, screws, and hooks that damage walls
- Candles, incense, wax warmers (religious exception by request)
- E-skateboards, hoverboards, Segways (use/store/charge)
These come from Delaware'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 Delaware
- 01Priority deadline ~May 22
Submit your housing application
First-years are required to live on campus and are guaranteed housing. Apply in the My Housing Portal by the priority deadline (around May 22 at 5 p.m.). The application itself isn't first-come — but you must apply by the deadline to indicate room-type interests, request roommates, or apply to an LLC. If you're under 18, a parent/guardian signs the contract.
- 02In the application
Answer the lifestyle questions
About half of incoming first-years let UD's algorithm assign a roommate based on compatibility from these lifestyle answers — UD says it doesn't see more conflicts among algorithm-matched roommates than self-selected ones, so it's a genuine option for meeting someone new. Answer honestly.
- 03Optional · by the deadline
Request a roommate group (2–3 students)
To pick your own roommate(s), create or join a roommate group of 2–3 students of the same gender in the Roommate Manager by the priority deadline — both must request each other. New requests or changes can't be made after the deadline, and requests aren't guaranteed.
- 04Optional / sometimes required
Apply to a Living-Learning Community
Browse Theme Housing and LLCs in the portal. Some are required by major (e.g. the Nursing Nook for first-year nursing students; Honors freshmen are housed together in Redding Hall); most are optional. Roommate requests may be restricted to community members for certain communities.
- 05Assignments emailed later in summer
Get your hall and roommate
Housing assignments are emailed to your UD address later in the summer (it takes time to place thousands of Blue Hens). You apply to live on campus in general — not a specific building or room — so list interests but keep an open mind, then coordinate with your roommate once you're placed.
Where you'll live at Delaware
East Campus (most first-years)
East of Academy Street and the Perkins Student Center, East Campus houses about two-thirds of the first-year class in traditional halls (rooms along a hallway, communal bathrooms by floor). Room layouts vary the most here — you might even land one of the famous Z-shaped rooms. Each complex has its own beloved traditions.
A classic first-year complex on East Campus with its own dining hall and the 'Russell Olympics' tradition on the East Campus turf. Russell has the unique Z-shaped singles and doubles. Note: Russell, Lane, and Thompson are non-AC traditional halls — bring a fan.
Another social East Campus first-year complex; Harrington also features the exclusive Z-shaped room layout. Traditional communal-bath halls without AC, so pack a fan for warm early weeks.
A spirited first-year complex known for its programming — pancake nights, karaoke, video-game nights, and 'Dickie-Fest.' Traditional doubles and triples with communal baths.
Central Campus & The Green
Central Campus lines The Green with UD's most historic, collegiate-Gothic buildings — a nostalgic atmosphere right at the heart of campus near Main Street. A mix of traditional halls (some AC, some not) and the Honors community.
Home to the first-year Honors College community (enhanced by Munson Fellows), named for Delaware's first African American attorney. Air-conditioned doubles and triples with a spacious kitchen and lounges. If the honors class is large, some students spill into nearby buildings.
Central-campus traditional first-year halls with air conditioning, near The Green and a short walk to Main Street. Communal-bath doubles and triples.
An all-women living community building on a rich history from the Women's College of Delaware — a stand-alone hall (no access from other buildings) in a prominent South Green location, for women seeking an all-women environment.
Suite-style options (George Read & Laird)
For first-years who want more privacy, a limited number of suite-style spaces exist — two bedrooms sharing a bathroom, all air-conditioned. Most suite-style housing sits on Laird Campus north of the 'Little Bob,' though George Read is a first-year suite option.
A first-year hall with a suite-style floor plan — two rooms sharing one bathroom — and air conditioning. A draw for first-years who'd rather not use a communal hallway bathroom.
Laird Campus suite-style halls (mostly upper-division) with AC, elevators, study lounges, and in-building kitchens and laundry. Independence beds are adjustable from 9" to 24" of under-bed clearance.
The Delaware move-in checklist
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
Newark logistics, sorted
Which halls have AC
Beds & fridge
Mail & helpers
Newark & around
Main Street, Newark
UD's walkable downtown right off campus — restaurants, coffee, the Newark Deli & Bagels, and the historic Newark Co-op. Where students and visiting families eat and wander, with the iconic National 5 & 10 anchoring the street.
The Green & Memorial Hall
The collegiate-Gothic heart of campus — a classic photo spot and the center of UD tradition. A must-see on any visit, steps from Main Street.
Delaware Stadium & the Bob Carpenter Center
Blue Hen football at Delaware Stadium and basketball at the 'Bob' drive fall and winter weekends. UD recently moved up to the FBS/Conference USA, so game days are growing.
Wilmington, Longwood Gardens & beaches
Newark sits between Philadelphia and Baltimore — Wilmington's riverfront, the spectacular Longwood Gardens (~20 min), and the Delaware beaches (~90 min) make easy family day trips.
Where to stay near Delaware
Courtyard by Marriott Newark - UD
On campus, walk to Main StreetUD's on-campus Marriott on South College Ave — the most convenient base for move-in, parents' weekend, and graduation, with on-site dining and a quick walk to Main Street and The Green. Books out first for big weekends.
Embassy Suites & Homewood Suites Newark
~1–2 miles from campusAll-suite hotels a short drive from campus — roomy, with free breakfast, ideal for multi-day move-in or graduation stays when families want space and a kitchen. SpringHill Suites and Candlewood Suites are other reliable options.
Wilmington & I-95 corridor hotels
~15–20 minWilmington's hotels (and the I-95 corridor toward the airport) are a short drive and a good overflow for graduation weekend. Newark's Amtrak/SEPTA station also makes Philadelphia-area hotels reachable when local rooms are gone.
Delaware gear & gifts
Delaware — links & contacts
- Appliance questions: fire-safe@udel.edu
- Maintenance / bunking: fixit@udel.edu
- Move-in helpers: bluehenhelpers@udel.edu