Each August during freshman move-in day, Kent State University faculty, staff and students volunteer to assist incoming freshmen get settled into their new university accommodations. To make the experience more fun and welcoming, the Kent InterHall Council sponsors the Movers and Groovers program.
Freshman move-in day takes place on Thursday, Aug. 21. A host of volunteers will welcome students and parents, and will assist with heavy lifting. The Kent State president’s Cabinet also has volunteered to help this year.
“The Movers and Groovers program provides an opportunity for upper-division students, student groups, alumni, faculty and staff to help new students get adjusted and moved in to the residence halls,” said Jill Church, director for Residence Services at Kent State. “The Movers and Groovers help keep things flowing during a very busy day. With more than 4,000 students moving in on Thursday, the extra hands keep the traffic flowing. Families are able to get their cars unloaded quicker and get on to the important things like setting up the room for the year.”
This year, Movers and Groovers will have its highest number of volunteers yet, reaching just shy of 1,000 helping hands. The volunteers will all wear green T-shirts and will be split up into three different shifts at five different locations across campus, in order to provide maximum help for incoming first-year students.
The Movers and Groovers program is part of Kent State’s Welcome Weekend, an orientation program that runs from Aug. 21–24. Welcome Weekend includes a variety of activities that help students explore the Kent State community and transition into the university environment.
“Students look forward to participating in Movers and Groovers, and the program is a great opportunity for returning students to connect with our incoming freshman class,” Church said.
One of the Welcome Weekend events is Freshman Convocation. Freshman Convocation will take place on Friday, Aug. 22, at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. This special ceremony allows students to experience the grandeur of university ceremonies and meet Kent State President Beverly Warren. It also marks the beginning of first-year students’ college careers and their entrance into higher education.
Welcome Weekend concludes Aug. 24 with Blastoff, a Kent State tradition where student organizations and community groups gather to welcome students to campus. The event includes hot air balloon rides, live music, fun activities and a laser light show.
For more information about Kent State’s Residence Services, visit www.kent.edu/housing.