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FAST Forward - Academic Check-in and Residential Student Move-in

FAST Forward—Facilitating Arrival, Success, and Transition (FAST)—is designed to ensure you are fully registered and ready for the start of the academic year.

This process allows you to schedule your arrival time and connect with key campus offices in one streamlined experience. Your specific steps may vary based on your arrival date and student type.

This site will guide you, whether you are an early arrival student, a commuter attending New Student Orientation, or a returning resident.

 

Sign-Up Genius Instructions

Follow the steps below to schedule your FAST Forward check-in:

  • Select a time slot - Locate your preferred date and time on the sign-up grid. Click "Sign Up" next to your chosen time, then select "Save & Continue" at the bottom of the page.
  • Enter your information -
    • Enter your McKendree Student ID Number (8 digits starting with 0; do not include initials).
    • Confirm that the Quantity is set to 1.
  • Log into your account - If this is your first time using SignUpGenius, you will be prompted to create an account.
  • Use your McKendree email address - You must register using your McKendree email in the following format: first.lastname##@mckendree.edu.
    • Example: bogey.bearcat25@mckendree.edu
    • "##" represents the year you applied to McKendree.

Sign Up Genius Example Screen

Important

Students who do not schedule a move-in appointment in advance may experience significant delays in completing their FAST Forward check-in and, for residential students, receiving keys.

 

SignUpGenius Links

Click on the purple link below for your group or arrival date to access the SignUpGenius for your arrival date.

August 2 - FAST Forward 1

      • Football
          • Your coaching staff will assign your arrival timeslot between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Residence Life will send confirmation of your assigned timeslot to your McKendree email on July 24, 2026. 
      • Residence Life Staff
          • The Assistant Directors of Residence Life will assign your FAST Forward timeslot between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Residence Life will send confirmation to your McKendree email on July 24, 2026.
          • Please speak to your Area Coordinator about your arrival times.

August 8 - FAST Forward 2 - Link will go Live July 1

      • Cheer Team
      • Dance Team
      • Women's Soccer
      • Men's Soccer
      • Women's Volleyball

August 13 -Men's Waterpolo Move into Housing

      • Residential Students on the Men's Waterpolo Team will need to move into Housing on August 12 at The Lair between 1:00 p.m and 3:00 p.m.   
      • Students will be provided with a list of offices they need to see to remain in good standing.

August 17 - FAST Forward 3 - Link will go Live July 1

      • Bearcat Sound Machine
      • Women's Cross Country
      • Men's Cross Country
      • Move-in Helpers
          • You must also be approved to help by the Office of Career Services, which coordinates the move-in helpers. Failure to properly work with the Office of Career Services can result in housing fees being added to your account.

August 18 - Orientation Leaders Move into Housing

      • Residential Students on the Orientation Leaders' Team will need to move into Housing on August 18 at The Lair between 12:00 p.m and 2:00 p.m.   
      • Students will be provided with a list of offices they need to see to remain in good standing.

August 20 - FAST Forward 4 - Link will go Live July 1

      • New Students
      • Transfer Students

This date is only for students who have not already completed FAST Forward on an earlier date. 
Residential student timeslots are available between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. 
Commuter student timeslots are available between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. 

 

August 22-24 - Returning Students - Link will go Live July 1

Use this SignUpGenius link only if you are a returning student who has not already checked in on a previous date. 
Please note: There is no FAST Forward process for returning students on these dates.  Any student who needs to meet with a campus office before the first day of class should sign up for Friday, August 22, as soon as possible.

 

Need to Arrive Earlier?

If you believe you need to arrive before your approved date, complete the Early Arrival Request form in the ResLife Portal under Applications and Forms.

 

Upon Arrival for FAST Forward Check-In

Please plan to arrive on campus safely and on time. If you are traveling through urban areas, allow extra time for traffic. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, including rain, thunderstorms, or other inclement weather.

We encourage you to reference the Campus Map as you travel to your check-in location.

Initial Parking

Enter Parking Lot C from Alton Street. After exiting your vehicle, use the sidewalk to cross Alton Street, pass the fountain, and continue up the sidewalk to the lobby of the Piper Academic Center (Building 29). If you have previously visited the Admissions Office, FAST Forward check-in will be located nearby.

FAST Forward Initial Parking Map

Please note: If you are arriving on Thursday, August 20, for New Student Orientation or Transfer Orientation, you should check in at the NSO Tent in the Quad first and then report to the Piper Academic Center for FAST Forward.

 

FAST Forward Check-In Process

FAST Forward is designed to help students arrive on campus fully registered and prepared for the start of the academic year.

You will begin at the check-in table near the Admissions Office. If you arrive before your scheduled timeslot, please wait in Piper Academic Center 222 until your appointment time.

Each student, along with any family members who are present, will then visit designated areas in the Piper Academic Center to connect with campus support offices before residential students receive keys to their housing assignment.

You may be directed to the following offices:

    • Student Financial Services - to confirm payment arrangements and answer billing questions
    • Financial Aid - to confirm that all required documentation has been received before aid is distributed
    • Health Services - to complete missing forms or submit copies
    • Student Success - to address class scheduling concerns
    • Information Technology - to obtain your ID or ask questions about internet access
    • Athletics - for NCAA compliance paperwork, if applicable

Once you have met with the required offices, return to the check-in table to submit your FAST Forward Checklist.

    • Commuter students will then be finished with the process.
    • Residential students will then check into their housing assignment in the Piper Academic Center lobby and receive their keys.

A reminder email will be sent to students a day or two before their arrival if they have selected a move-in timeslot.

 

After FAST Forward Check-In

Commuter Students

After completing FAST Forward, please relocate your vehicle to Lot D, E, or H. We look forward to seeing you at Convocation.

Residential Students

After receiving your keys, proceed to your building’s unloading zone. Please drive carefully, as there will be heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

To help as many residents as possible move in efficiently, please unload your belongings first and then move your vehicle promptly so that others may access the unloading area.

 

Residents: Moving into your Residential Space

Unloading Zones

    • Baker Hall - front/west side of Parking Lot C and part of Fountain Drive between Baker and the Piper Academic Center
    • Barnett Hall - Parking Lot J, just south of the building
    • Walton Hall - front/west side of Parking Lot C
    • The Suites - Parking Lot F next to The Suites
    • Residence Hall East/West - Parking Lot I on the north side of the building
      Please enter from Summerfield Street and exit to Stanton Street to maintain traffic flow.
    • Hunter Street Apartments - parking lot behind and west of the building
      Please do not park or unload in the street or in fire lanes.
    • McKendree West Apartments - directly in front of the buildings

Parking After Unloading

Once unloading is complete, all students and move-in helpers must relocate their vehicles to one of the approved parking areas.

For Baker, Barnett, Walton, The Suites, and Residence Hall East/West

    • Back/east end of Lot C
    • Lot D (near the football field)
    • Lot E (near the softball field)
    • Lot H (north of MPCC)

For McKendree West

Students may remain parked in the McKendree West lot, but they are encouraged not to park directly in front of their building to allow others to unload.

Trash and Recycling

As you set up your new space, you may have boxes, packaging, and other trash to discard.

Please help keep move-in areas safe and accessible:

    • Do not leave trash in the hallways, as this creates a fire hazard.
    • Break down boxes and packaging whenever possible to save space.

Trash and recycling may be taken to the following areas:

    • Baker/Walton - behind the building or behind Ames Dining Hall (Building 2) in the gated area
    • Barnett - behind Barnett or behind the Deneen Student Center/Bookstore (Building 13) in the gated area
    • Residence Hall East/West - trash rooms on each floor
    • The Suites - east side of Parking Lot F in the gray gated area
    • McKendree West - large dumpsters throughout the parking lot
    • Hunter Street - behind the buildings on the south side of the parking lot