Summer is coming to a close, and the hustle and bustle of college is just beginning. Over 6,000 students moved into their new on-campus homes last week, a process that displayed many moving parts, scrambling for blue bins and the ever-present potential for chaos.
Numerous departments across campus, such as Housing and Residence Life and Grand Valley State University’s Department of Public Safety, came together to create a brand-new welcome-week process, aiming to ensure an efficient and exciting start to college for everyone, including over 4,000 freshmen.
The Interim Director of Housing and Residence Life, Colleen Bailey, highlighted the work that goes into planning move-in week. She specifically noted that Housing and Residence Life works directly with GVPD and Facilities Services to coordinate moving students into their fall housing assignments.
“Move-in is a whole campus effort,” said Bailey. “All faculty and staff are so excited to have students back on campus.”
Returning students might have noticed the dates for move-in have changed. In past years, on-campus move-in started at the beginning of the week and concluded Wednesday. This year, Housing and Residence Life decided move-in would go from Wednesday to Friday, leaving less time between move-in and the start of classes.
“Overall, our process is like a well-oiled machine,” Bailey said. “All of the departments work so well together to be efficient. Each year, we debrief to make small changes that continue to improve.”
The move-in process wasn’t the only part of the week that experienced changes. Welcome week events, such as Laker Kickoff and Campus Life Night, were also updated to be cohesive with the new schedule. Commencement was replaced with a Welcome Celebration at Lubbers Stadium, featuring remarks from President Philomena Mantella and performances by the Laker Marching Band, Cheer Team and Laker Dance Team. A lawn party outside the Kirkhof Center was also held, which included a variety of activities, food trucks, music and even fireworks.
Another new addition took place at Campus Life Night, where students had the opportunity to win a “LakerBuBu” mystery bag after completing a scavenger hunt. Each bag came with a surprise GVSU animal keychain, a sticker and a card with information about student organizations.
The Fredrik Meijer Honors College was one of the University’s institutions that had to adjust to changes. The Honors College typically hosts welcome week events for freshmen that are led by upperclassmen mentors. In the past, incoming honors students moved in earlier in the week, allowing the Honors College Student Council to have welcome events every day of the week. However, this year, students moved in during the middle of the week, which caused the Honors College to condense their schedule and decide the most important aspects of welcome week to continue.
Honors Student Council President Haley Powers said although this was an obstacle they found challenging, students and faculty were able to push through the changes.
“This really taught us effective problem solving, contributing as a team and coming up with unique ideas,” Powers said.
Honors Student Council members and mentors also volunteer to help students move in, which according to Powers can be stressful, but is very rewarding for those involved.
“Being able to see parents relieved by their children being welcomed immediately when they arrive at GVSU, as well as students becoming adjusted to their new space was incredible,” Powers said.
One freshman who moved into the Honors College was Megan Krupa. With the help of her family and student volunteers, she was able to have a smooth move-in experience at Niemeyer. She is looking forward to an upcoming year of studying, and was very excited for Laker Kickoff.
“I am feeling very prepared for the upcoming school year,” Krupa said. “I’m excited to conduct undergraduate research and apply for scholarship programs.”
Andrew Smith, another first-year student, also had a very quick and simple move-in experience. He is living in Johnson Living Center, and hopes to join the Ultimate Frisbee Club, among other groups. While he may not be as excited for classes to begin, he is looking forward to new possibilities.
“I’m not looking forward to writing papers, but everything else sounds fine,” Smith said. “(I’m) excited to be more independent and meet new people.”
For students who want to get involved in student organizations like Smith, an updated version of LakerLink, a hub for student organizations, launched for welcome week. Alongside the website, students can now download an app where they can further explore clubs and events. They can also earn badges for completing tasks and attending campus activities.
Leah Erben, the marketing communications manager for Student Affairs, emphasized the importance of students getting involved on campus and finding a sense of community.
“I was also a student here years ago, and I met all my friends by attending events and joining student organizations,” Erben said. “Getting involved outside of the classroom is how I was able to really make the most of my college experience and make GVSU feel like home.”
Powers echoed this sentiment from the Honors College and appreciates the community here at GVSU.
“My favorite part about this week is watching everyone interact with each other, and witness life-long connections being made,” Powers said. “As a senior and the president of the Honors Student Council, it has made me feel very nostalgic being involved with welcome week, as almost three years ago I was a freshman experiencing all of the activities that I now work with others to plan.”
Powers also feels that being on the Honors Student Council has been an amazing opportunity for her.
“I have been very thankful for having such an amazing opportunity and working with such dedicated and wonderful people these past couple of years,” Powers said. “I hope to have made a positive impact on the Honors College community the same way that (an impression) was made on me when I first came to GVSU.”
Although welcome week has concluded, there are still events students can look forward to as part of Laker Welcome. During the first week of classes the Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center will be hosting a Rainbow Social and the Office of Student Life is set to hold Meet the Greeks, an event for those interested in joining a fraternity or sorority.
