Approximately 6,000 new West Virginia University students will begin their college careers on Friday (Aug. 15), as families from all around the country and world travel to Morgantown for move-in day.
From 8 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m., students will move into their respective residence halls in preparation for the start of the fall 2014 semester. During this time, traffic congestion is expected. To better manage traffic on and off-campus, first-year students have been designated specific time frames throughout the day to check into their respective residence halls.
Students living off-campus are asked to avoid returning to campus on Friday and to avoid unnecessary trips to and from campus areas during move-in day. Alternate transportation, including the Mountain Line buses and PRT, are available.
See what the Class of 2018 is saying here.
“WVU has worked to make move-in day a more organized and efficient experience, but with thousands of students moving in on Friday, it will be one of our busiest traffic days,” said Corey Farris, dean of students at WVU. “We encourage everyone traveling in the area to be patient and allow extra time to reach your destination.”
As students and families arrive on campus, they will be directed by WVU Police to an unloading zone that is as close as possible to the residence hall. Once unloaded, most drivers will be directed to a nearby University parking lot, while others have been provided with a voucher that entitles them two hours of free parking in city parking garages on University Avenue, Spruce Street and Wharf Street.
“Move-in day is a new experience for most families, and no matter how thoroughly the University plans for a smoother transition, it can be a stressful time,” Farris said. “We are committed to making this an exciting day for students and their families as we welcome them to campus.”
Once the students are settled in, there are plenty of things to do on campus. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be representatives in the Mountainlair Ballrooms to help with questions concerning financial aid, work study, registration, scholarships, student accounts, dining services and student employment.
Students are also invited to attend welcome cookouts held on both campuses from 5:30-7 p.m., a VIP shopping event at the WVU Bookstores from 7-9 p.m. In addition, WVUp All Night will sponsor a free movie mania event in the Mountainlair Gluck Theater from 7 p.m. to midnight. Students will also attend their first mandatory floor meeting to meet their resident assistants and other students living on their floor
On Saturday, students will participate in First-Year Academy. At this time, students will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and administrators from their academic unit before classes begin on Monday (Aug. 18).
On Sunday, incoming freshman and transfer students will attend New Student Welcome at 2 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum. As the first official University event of the year for freshmen and incoming students, they will hear from President Gordon Gee and other campus leaders.
For more information about Welcome Week, visit http://welcomeweek.wvu.edu/welcome_week_schedule.
-WVU-
ta/08/13/14
CONTACT: Corey Farris, dean of students
304.293.2790, Corey.Farris@mail.wvu.edu
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