The University of Memphis campus buzzed with excitement as thousands of students moved into their dorms for the Fall 2025 semester on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
Volunteers, staff, and student-leaders helped families unload cars and carry boxes into residence halls, continuing a long-standing tradition of making the move-in experience run smoothly and efficiently. This fall, about 2,500 students are living on campus, a figure that remains consistent with last year’s total, according to Housing and Residence Life personnel.
“I was nervous before getting here, but the staff and helpers have been very welcoming,” said Aaliyah Joseph, an incoming freshman art major. “I’m excited to start a new journey here.”
Students haul carts of belongings into the Living Learning Complex during move-in at the University of Memphis.
The university operates five traditional dormitories on the main campus. The traditional dormitories are Centennial Place, Living Learning Complex, Smith, South and Rawls Halls. The university also operates townhouse and apartment-style residences at Carpenter Complex and the Park Avenue campus. The university has an additional hall at the Lambuth campus in Jackson, Tennessee.
The UofM plans to add a new apartment-style complex to the Park Avenue campus ahead of the Fall 2026 semester.
Housing demand at the University of Memphis is steady, but officials say the school has enough space to meet student needs. While some nearby universities have struggled with housing shortages, Memphis has been able to place students who apply on time, though those who wait until late in the process may find fewer options or will have to sit on a waitlist.
Housing and Residence life personnel estimated that about 100 students are currently on waitlists without a housing assignment. The university is working with the students to place as many waitlisted students as possible as rooms open up through cancellations and assignment changes.
University leaders have stressed that living on campus offers more than convenience. A study by Wayland Baptist University found that students who live on campus earn better grades, are more likely to stay enrolled, graduate on time at a higher rate and pursue advanced degrees more often than their peers who live off campus.
“I met some of my best friends while living here, it’s part of the reason why I decided to live in LLC again,” said Samarie Thomas, a sophomore electrical engineering student.
As students carried mini-fridges, tubs of clothes and other miscellaneous supplies into their new homes, the excitement was easy to see. For many Tigers, move-in day not only marked the start of classes but also the beginning of new opportunities and lasting friendships.
Jaylon Lee Hawkins is the Managing Editor of The Daily Helmsman. He can be contacted at jlhwkns3@memphis.edu.
I am a junior Journalism major with an emphasis in Broadcasting. I’ve reported for The Daily Helmsman for two years and currently serve as the Managing Editor, overseeing coverage and guiding our newsroom’s editorial direction.
