As the summer draws to a close, campus activity is quickly picking up as Northern Arizona University prepares for a date that has long been circled on students’ calendars: Aug. 24, NAU Move-in Day.
NAU Residence Life began making preparations several months ago and will house 7,430 students on campus this year. Of those, 4,165 are incoming freshmen.
While residence halls officially open Aug. 24, Cynthia Anderson, director of Residence Life, anticipates campus to start filling up early next week. “On Tuesday, we welcome freshmen participating in the Edge Leadership Program as well as the final session of Freshman Orientation. Along with early check-in, we could have as many as 2,000 residents on campus by Friday,” Anderson said.
On Move-in Day, 4,000 Lumberjacks are expected to check-in when the residence halls open for fall semester. Once on campus, students will be greeted by hundreds of Welcome Jacks, a volunteer group of students and student-athletes, who will help guide students and their families to their assigned residential halls and move their belongings into their rooms.
“Move-in is a busy time, but also an exciting time,”Anderson said. “It’s not just about unloading your belongings. It’s about meeting your roommate and the people on your floor for the first time and getting to know your new home.”
Incoming students aren’t the only ones counting down the days. Alexandria Saquella, a first-year resident assistant at Sechrist Hall, is excited to welcome the Class of 2017 and show them the ropes. “The first taste of NAU student life is Move-in Day. Things can get pretty hectic so it’s important for students to remember to be optimistic about this new beginning and take advantage of all the opportunities NAU has to offer.”
After settling in, Lumberjacks will get a dose of what’s to come with a host of Welcome Week programs offered by several NAU clubs, organizations and departments. Events include a Welcome Back concert, Residence Life Block Party, Club Expo and the annual freshman photo event.
Extra signage will be placed throughout campus starting on Tuesday, Aug. 20, to aid early arrivals. To help manage traffic flow in and around the halls on Move-in Day, Residence Life has established a staggered check-in schedule from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Students living in The Suites and Hilltop Townhomes, managed by American Campus Communities, can move in on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Fall classes resume Wednesday, Aug. 28.