Wednesday's Move-in Day to Impact the Economy

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University will welcome new freshman residents and their families onto campus and into the City of Valdosta during the official “Move-in Day” beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, with continuous check-in throughout the day.

Campus officials say VSU students will be arriving from around the world and throughout South Georgia with another large contingent of students also coming from the Metropolitan Atlanta area. As students begin the next life chapter, they also create a boost for the economy. Local merchants are on alert to welcome students as they shop for school supplies and last minute dorm room additions as well as share a final meal before goodbyes.

“The total number we are expecting on Wednesday the eighth is 1450 and on the tenth 650 upperclassmen arrive,” Dr. Thomas Hardy, VSU’s director of Housing & Residence Life, said. “We will have over 2100 residents this fall in the halls.”
The VSU community is prepared to provide a special welcome to the new students.

“Athletics is providing three tents with water and ice to the participants; the Dean of Students is purchasing VSU towels; and Sodexho, our food services company, is catering lunches for the workers and volunteers,” Hardy said. “Also, volunteers from Greek Life, local campus ministries and university-wide faculty and staff will be moving students in.”

In addition, the Office of Housing and Residence Life has rented hand trucks and fan misters for each residents hall and the HOT Squad, a student-run leadership group, will coordinate the manual labor aspect of the day. Auxiliary Services will be ready to handle any last minute maintenance and housekeeping emergencies, Parking and Transportation and University Police plans to direct traffic and VSU shuttles will be available to transport visitors from the Oak Street parking lot to residence halls.

“No one will be permitted to park next to the residence halls to increase traffic flow,” Hardy said. “As soon as a car gets to the door of a hall, volunteers will move everything to the curb and start carrying it to their room. Thus, only one person needs to remain with the car and relocate it to the Oak Street Lot.”

Arriving students and parents are encouraged to use a new traffic pattern on Wednesday; directions can be found by choosing the “Detailed Directions” options on the housing Web site at http://housing.valdosta.edu . Anyone interested in providing feedback/suggestions for improvement regarding the “Move-in Day” experience should contact Hardy at twhardy@valdosta.edu.