Jaylen Carr- Editor-in-Cheif
Jay’Mi Vazquez- News Editor
The incoming first-year and new transfer students did not let the grey clouds and passing showers stop them from being eager to step onto campus to begin their Owl journey.
Nursing major Nari’yza Douglas-Jones, a freshman, said she was excited to move into her dorm to start her college journey.
“I’m excited to experience the college life,” Jones said.
Nursing major Chasity Trotman, a freshman, said she is thrilled to meet new people and build friendships.
“I’m excited to see the people I met at orientation,” Trotman said. “I’m excited for new things.”
Earth science major Emma Jo Smith, a freshman, said she’s looking forward to living on campus and having a roommate.
“I was very into summer camp as a kid, so I think I’ll like having a roommate,” Smith said. “It’ll be fun.”
Computer science major Mark Ayoub, a freshman, said even though he was excited to move in, he noted that he was nervous.
“It is a big school, and there are a lot of people to meet,” Ayoub said. “It’s going to be fun.”
Ayoub said this experience would be different for him because he came from a high school with only 60 students in his senior class.
“Transitioning to this world to a big college is very different and a different environment,” Ayoub said.
Some first-year students have set expectations and goals for themselves academically and socially.
Trotman says she does not just want to stay in her dorm all the time but instead meet new people on campus.
“I’m really just trying to stay focused and do good academically,” Trotman said.
Getting used to the campus and where her classes are located is essential, Trotman said.
“I hope I can be as social as possible,” Ayoub said. “I want to get to know everyone, get into clubs and be very involved with the school.”
Jones said she will continue to push herself to do well in and out of the classroom.
Smith said she is looking forward to learning how to study due to not learning how in high school.
First-year students and new transfers could move in on Aug. 26. Resident Life allowed students to move in early, but an application had to be submitted. Resident Life got faculty, students and other freshmen involved in the new FLEX program to volunteer to help students move in.
Judy Behler, the current telephone operator at the Adanti Student Center information desk, volunteered to help the students because of her passion for always being accessible.
“I love seeing the students,” Behler, a full-time faculty member at the university for 24 years, said. “It adds life to the university.”
Behler said Resident Life sent emails out to help get volunteers to help students move in.
Diversity Recruitment and Retention Specialist Daisy Torres-Baez said this is her second time helping with “Move-In Day,” she is eager to help the students and parents.
“My role is as parents and students coming in to answer any questions they have about Southern,” Baez said. “The student volunteers are helping with the physical movement.”
Baez said because she has been in higher education for 10 years being a first-generation college student, she knows how it feels to be away from home and have to deal with moving into a new environment.
Dominique DeLutri, a current softball player, and a sophomore volunteered to help students and new freshman softball recruits move in.
“My coach and I are going to be helping out,” she said. This is DeLutri’s first year helping, but she is looking forward to continuing to help students during “Move-In Day” next year.
