By Jay’Mi Vazquez
Managing Editor
Volunteers helping freshmen and their families move into their dorms in front of Hickerson Hall on Aug. 23.
The sun beamed over campus as first-year and transfer students arrived with boxes, bins and big dreams for the university’s freshman move-in day.
Move-in took place Aug. 23, as families navigated the Residential Quad, gaining assistance from student and faculty volunteers. For many, the day marked the start of an important new journey.
“There’s something special about seeing students and families go through this milestone together, and I love being a part of that energy,” Interim President Sandra Bulmer said.
Bulmer explained that the experience of move-in day is a shared moment of transition for everyone involved, whether it is the students taking their first steps into independence or the families adjusting to letting go.
As faculty, staff and volunteers worked together to welcome students, the residence halls became the center of activity. One of the busiest was Farnham Hall, where freshmen typically reside.
Move-in day can be hectic, but Resident Advisers play a key role in easing the process for first-year students.
“We help check in the incoming first-years on our floors and create a welcoming environment for them,” RA Brenea Pagan, a senior, said.
Pagan added that RAs focus on keeping things moving while still making students and families feel comfortable throughout the experience.
Beyond move-in itself, Pagan emphasized the importance of residential life to student success. She described how living on campus helps first-years adjust socially and academically.
“Living on campus is best socially because you can foster a community quicker and make connections sooner,” Pagan said.
She added that residents also benefit from easier access to resources, study groups and networking opportunities.
While RAs assisted students throughout the day, volunteers were also essential in helping move-in run smoothly. General Studies major and Peer Mentor Sabrine Yaser, a senior, was among those lending a hand.
“My role is to help students move stuff into their rooms by using bins provided by the university,” Yaser said.
Volunteers also fielded common questions, such as where students needed to check in or how they could get their room keys.
Yaser was stationed in West Campus, a dorm typically housing upperclassmen, and noted that her experience was less hectic than those working in freshmen-heavy halls like Farnham.
“It’s not really a freshman building,” Yaser said. “But if you’re in Farnham or anywhere else, I feel like it would be more hectic.”
For many students, the day was about more than just moving boxes; it was about envisioning the next chapter of their lives.
Elementary Education major Corinne Melisky, a freshman moving into Farnham, said she was excited for the opportunities that come with living on campus.
“I think living on campus will just be easier to make friends overall because I’ll be in the community, more involved,” she said. “And the fact that I won’t have to drive 45 minutes every day to commute will be nice.”
Music Therapy major Kyra Scott, also a freshman in Farnham Hall, shared similar feelings. For her, dorm life offered both social and academic motivation.
“Living on campus, I’ll definitely have more of a social life,” Scott said. “But probably, it’ll force me to kind of study more because I won’t be distracted by outside things since I’m living on campus.”
Across campus, students in other halls expressed the same optimism. Secondary Education major Molly Stead, a freshman moving into Chase Hall, said she looked forward to the convenience of being close to classes and campus resources.
“I’ll always be around people,” Stead said, “so it’ll help getting to know everyone.”
Sports Management major Chance Lewis, a freshman, who moved into Wilkinson Hall, echoed the excitement of making new connections.
“You get to be involved with everyone and events,” Lewis said. “You get to feel what it’s like to be on your own.”
