With more than 3,400 incoming freshmen moving into UM residence halls this month, the UM Department of Student Housing is expanding on last year’s successful staggered move-in schedule to reduce congestion on campus and in Oxford.
Here’s what you should know:
Students will begin moving in this weekend. Early move-in groups such as Greek communities, band and ROTC will move into residence halls this weekend (Aug. 16-18). The official move-in week, “Groovin’ at Move-In,” will run Monday, Aug. 19-Friday, Aug. 23. View the schedule.
Move-in week shouldn’t affect faculty/staff parking. Whenever possible, move-ins are scheduled for residence halls spaced across campus to ease traffic flow. You can view the move-in schedule to learn which areas of campus will have heavier traffic than normal and on which days.
Nearly 1,200 volunteers are scheduled to assist during move-in. While registration to volunteer for move-in is now closed, volunteers from the university, Oxford and Lafayette County will help out on campus next week. Student Housing will award prizes to student groups with the most volunteers!
More than 5,200 students are registered to move in. At maximum capacity, all residences on campus — including such upperclassman housing as Campus Walk, Northgate and the Village — can house a total of 5,354 students, according to Lionel Maten, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management and housing.
Prior to fall 2012, move-in has taken place over one day. Last year, UM scheduled staggered move-ins out of necessity with the opening of Minor and Ridge halls and the renovation of Martin and Stockard, said Jennifer McClure, assistant director of marketing for student housing. The staggered move-ins resulted in smoother transitions and positive feedback from parents, students and staff members.
Expanded programming will allow students who have moved in early to meet classmates and get oriented with campus. In addition to Welcome Week activities, which will take place Aug. 23-29, students will be able to participate in campus walks to locate their academic buildings as well as other social events.